What You Need To Know About Container Gardening
Container gardening continues to be a popular trend. Homeowners like that containers are easy to plant and maintain. They also like that the containers themselves can be moved to inject color and interest wherever needed. (Here are the best plants for container gardening). Check out these seven tips for a thriving small-space garden from the National Garden Bureau.
DO:
- Select a container that will give your plants’ roots room to grow, but not so much space that they won’t fill the pot when they mature.
- Plant in pots with drainage holes. Some decorative containers might be missing drainage holes. If so, drill a few holes yourself or place a smaller pot inside the decorative one to give water a place to drain. Elevate the inner pot on stones so that water will collect at the bottom of the larger container.
- Stake tall plants. Vining plants such as morning glories and tomatoes will need a stake or small trellis for support. Add the support when you plant so you don’t disturb the roots later.
- Use containers to experiment with planting in different parts of your yard. Try a new plant on a small scale, or test a shady spot to see how well certain plants will perform with little sun.
DON’T:
- Use soil directly from the garden. As tempting as it is to dig up some backyard dirt and throw it into a container, potted plants need drainage. Look for potting mixes that have vermiculite, peat moss, compose, perlite or a combination. Here’s what every gardener needs to know about topsoil.
- Pat the soil down after scooping it into the pot. Looser soil is easier on the roots.
- Forget to mulch. Pots in full sun will benefit from a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture and discourage weeds.
A Perfect Container Combo
Stick to basics with the “thriller, spiller, filler” concept.
- Thriller: a plant that adds height, drama and vertical appeal. Try ornamental grass or coleus.
- Spiller: a plant placed near the rim of the pot to grow downward or “spill.” Try petunia, sweet potato vine or nasturtium.
- Filler: a rounded plant or mound of plants to fill in bare spots. Try lantana or heliotrope.
Build a spectacular but affordable garden this year with these amazing garden tips.
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