Friday, January 30, 2009

Giving Those Planters Adequate Drainage

You certainly do not want to water log your plants in your pots and garden containers. Make sure that there are adequate drainage holes in the base of your planters for the water to drain well away from the roots of your plants. We make sure that the containers and pots stay off the ground by using supports made from bricks, wood or even pot feet. You may even add an inch or so of course gravel in the bottom of the container to improve draining.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

What’s New for Spring

We are always looking for new tips and new plants for each season. This year container gardening is gaining in importance. Everyone is on a busy schedule and what better way to have the beauty of a lovely garden than with an attractive arrangement of planters, pots, container and urns. You can intersperse the flowers and foliage in your garden planters with veggies and herbs for the kitchen.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Containers – The Best Ones for Growing Vegetables

Almost any type of container can be used for growing vegetable plants. However, we think that the most durable, those requiring little maintenance and good looking planters are the best. The size of the planter will vary according to the crop selection and space available. Pots from 6 to 10 inches in size are most satisfactory for green onion, parsley and herbs. For those larger vegetable crops such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, you will probably find 5 gallon pots and containers the best. They are easy to handle and provide adequate space for root growth. Make sure you have drainage holes on the bottom of course.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Soil Conditions for Your Planters

Now that we have decided that we would like to become container gardeners, what type of soil do we use. There are a lot of synthetic “soils” that are best suited for vegetable container gardening. These mixes may be composed of sawdust, wood chips, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite or almost any other type of media. Regardless of what mixture is used, however, it must be free of disease and weed seeds, hold moisture and nutrients but drain well and be lightweight. You can usually find what you are looking for already mixed at your garden center. Don’t forget to water the mix thoroughly prior to seeding or transplanting.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Growing Tomatoes in Your Planters and Containers

We have done a little research and found that the following varieties do especially well in garden pots and containers. Here they are - are there any that you recognize? Just ask at your local nursery or seed house and we are sure you will find most of them available for you. They are: Small Fry, Patio, Tumbling Tom, Pixie, Giant, Tiny Tim, Toy Boy and Saladette. These varieties will do well when planted in your yard garden, however, they are also very well suited for your outdoor planters as well.

Friday, January 23, 2009

What Grows Best in Containers

If you are thinking about growing vegetables in your garden planters and pots, here are a few examples of what would be an easy start. Garlic, leeks and shallots make great container plants. They have very few insect and disease problems, have shallow roots and take up very litle space. When you are going over your seed catalogs, have a look for the best varieties. Remember, like all container gardening, ensure that you have sufficient holes in the bottom for improved drainage.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Vegetable Gardening in Containers - Is It Possible?

If you have insufficient space in your garden or are limited by an unsuitable area for vegetable gardening, do consider the possibility of raising fresh, nutritious and of course your own home grown vegetables in pots or containers. You can use a window sill with a window box, a balcony or doorstep to provide enough space for your most productive mini garden. You will not encounter many of the soil borne diseases that are commonly found in the soil, you can easily create your own soil conditions in your planter or container. Enjoy the "fruits" of your labors. Do you have any ideas for what vegetables to plant in your pots?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Garden Containers - Do We Have Space

If you are like a lot of people and you don't have a garden or huge deck or patio - where can you place those wonderful containers. You don't need a large space, just a small deck or even window box. You can grow wonderful annuals year long in your sunny window or just outside on that doorstep or veranda. We like to grow vegetables and herbs in our window boxes, they are fresh for daily use in the kitchen and look so nice and green for viewing.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Container Combination for Inauguraiton Day

This is a very special day for all of us and what better way to celebrate than with a patriotic plant combination for our garden pots and containers. Firstly, start with one Artist Blue Ageratum or Flossflower in the center of our 20" Garden Planter and then surround alternating between a Superbells Cherry Red Calibrachoa and a Tukana or White verbena (four plants in all). Place in full sun. If the season is too cool to plant today, you can remember this great combination later on in the season.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Container Gardening – Growing Vegetables

While we are sitting here in January, it is delightful to think of all those wonderful vegetables that we can grow in garden planters and containers on our desk or patio or even in the garden in pots. Vegetable growing requires both sun and water – if you have these two things, you can enjoy fresh vegetables for your stew or salad. They taste even better when grown by your self and of course, always the freshest on hand.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Initial Budget for Container Gardening

Just to get started with container gardening requires some thought and a small budget. You will need to purchase the best garden planters and urns - you don't want to have to re-place your pots. Make sure they are durable and will last without extensive maintenance for many many years. There is special container soil available and then slow release fertilizer suitable to the needs of your plants. That's it for a start.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Getting Started with Container Gardening - The Budget

As always and even more so today, there is a concern about budget in getting your container garden started. Initially you will need to purchase the best plants possible. However, ongoing there is very little maintenance involved during the season. Growing plants in pots requires little fertilizer and of course you only water as required. So easy!

Where to Buy Those Plants for Pots

Our recommendation is that you always purchase your plants from a nursery or reputable garden retailer. They usually give you a guarantee for your plants and you know that they are free from contaminants in the soil or in the plant. Almost every plant that you grow in the ground you can grow in planters, pots and containers. Just experiment with the right combination. Of yes, make sure that you have a container with holes for drainage!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Gardening in Pots with Ease

When you have your garden in planters and pots, you still need to give some thought to where you want to place your containers and what to put in them. Often they look best if grouped together or one big garden urn at a central focal point. Now is the time to think about where to place them - think about the amount of daylight that you have on your balcony or patio and then give consideration to what plants would do the best in that climate.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Container Gardening at the Office

What a great way to brighten up the day at the office - use your garden containers, pots and planters. Not just for decoration but add your own personal touch with flowers and plants. You are right there each day to check the water levels and of course the plants give back much needed oxygen to the environment. Plants provide tranquility in your busy day, relieve stress and give peace of mind. Relax and smell the roses!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Your Dream Patio Garden

Even if you don't have a large yard or acreage to begin your gardening career, do not despair, gardening in containers and planters is here. You can fulfill your dream or creating a beautiful space with garden planters, pots and urns right on your balcony or patio. You won't have to mow the grass and have even more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can start with annuals, perennials and even shrubs and trees. Just make sure that you have the best container - one that will not crack, break and of course looks great!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Another Reason for Container Gardening

When you don't have a large garden where you live, you can always get into the gardening scene with container gardening. You will need to purchase the best container, plant or pot that you can find. They need to last, hold their color and be moved easily from place to place on your deck or patio to take advantage of sun or shade conditions. In the garden container, you can grow herbs for that breakfast omelet, flowers to look at or to cut to that indoor vase, or even plant shrubs and small trees. How versatile!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Planning for Container Gardening

The New Year is a good time to start planning for your garden. Even if you live in a high rise or only have a small patio, deck or even a sunny window, you can always create beautiful gardens with planters, pots and containers. You can grow flowers for beauty, lovely foliage to hide that unsightly storage area or provide a focal point to create interest. Now is the time to start planning - get out those catalogs and find joy in the garden this year.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year Container Resolutions Anyone?

Today is the first day of a New Year and those resolutions now kick into action. At Garden Planter Store we are off to a good start, researching new ideas for your garden decor for the year. Now is the time to get out those new catalogs and start dreaming.