Wonderful Yellow Amaryllis

We have just come across the Yellow Goddess Amaryllis – wonderful trumpet shaped soft yellow flowers on 20 inch stems. They will be terrific for your indoor containers and will bloom six to eight weeks after planting. Look for them this season.

Easy & Attractive Indoor Planter

Just looking for something to add color to your indoor décor this winter, Kalanchoe is one of the most popular potted plants. It is easy to find in garden centers and nurseries, and provides brilliant color together with bright green leaves. It is fairly hardy and requires little water, regular watering however will ensure regular blooming.

Large Bloom Containers

Why did those large garden planters look so good this past season, one reason is the incorporation of Controlled Release Fertilizer or Time Release Fertilizer. It comes in pellets and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer in that it is released based on soil temperature itself, more exact than Slow Release Fertilizer.

Well Wrapped Planter Protection

There are a few ways to protect your planters over the winter season if you are located in a moderately cool zone with little frost and heavy winds. You can also use mulch, leaves, blankets, bubble wrap and packing styrofoam peanuts. Almost any packing material will do the job.

Old Garden Planter Soil

If you are like to replace the soil in your garden planters and containers each year, just

dump the used soil in the garden. It will not harm your landscape garden, just break up the roots from the plants and it will eventually turn into soil over time.

Over wintering Those Planters

Most of your planters will do well outdoors or in an unheated space provided they are protected from the very severe cold – a good winter range without protection would be from 32 – 45 degrees. Do not allow the planters to get too cold – wrap your pots or place in a garage or outbuilding.

Indoor & Outdoor Container Plants

Some plants are wonderful both inside and outdoors – one of these is the Torenia or Wishbone Flower. It is great for those garden planters and can also be brought into the house for a great houseplant the rest of the year. The Catalina White Linen is so elegant – all white velvety blooms with color greenery.

Keep Planters Looking Good

One way to keep your planters looking good for a longer period is, of course, to prune and pinch back as required during the season. Protect them from the heavy Fall winds by moving them closer to walls and buildings for added protection. They will look better longer.

Containers for Cool Weather

There are many annuals that still look good and will last well past the first frost in your planters and containers. They change dimension with the first fall of snow. The best ones to try are Pansies, Violas, Dianthus and Oranmental Kale and Cabbage, each has it own form and height for a beautiful container.

Start Amaryllis Planter Now

Now is the time to get your Amaryllis started again for the season. Make sure that you leave about one third of the bulb above the surface of the soil and at least an inch on the sides of the container when planting. Water in well, and then keep soil on the drier side until you see the stalk emerging. Now you can water more regularly & keep in a warm, sunny location until the buds begin to open. Enjoy this beautiful plant.

Recycling Your Container Combinations

We are all into recycling today and one way to keep your garden planters and pots looking fresh is to add an autumn variety plant to your summer annuals. One of the popular showy plant is Ornamental Kale – looks great with shorter grasses, pansies and mums.