Nothing brings me greater joy in the garden than the planters I ‘create’ every year. Today’s blog is on the basics. (The plant types I will discuss in a later blog.) The reason they bring me such enjoyment is because of the intimacy they can add to an outdoor space. Planters can be tucked in anywhere & add color to an area that may otherwise be difficult to plant conventionally. I hope these first steps suggestions will get you started.
Choosing your container is the most important first step. Pick a large enough container for the sun exposure you receive. A very large container in full sun will dry out less quickly than a smaller size. If you are committed to a container garden, then you must be committed to watering every (or almost every) day. The more you allow your containers to completely dry out, the less successful you will be. The second important step is making sure your container has drainage holes or will allow you to drill these holes. It is fun to think outside the box with a planter type, but somehow the water will need to drain out in some way or you will have a challenge controlling the moisture level.
The third step is to pick a good container potting mix. Many are available at your garden stores. The moisture control mixes are a smart choice for the full sun planters or hanging baskets. The ‘miracle gro’ type mixes are a good choice but realize you will still have to feed/fertilize as the summer goes along. Consider that the larger containers do not need to be filled completely with soil. You really need 7-10 inches of soil to be successful. The largest containers I have are filled with packing peanuts in the bottom half or an inverted plastic pot to fill the space. This will save you money & keep you planters lighter & more portable if you need to move or rotate them.
I hope this helps with your planter shopping. Thriller, filler & spiller plant ideas to come!
No comments:
Post a Comment