Soil is the key to successful gardening in containers. The plants are at the mercy of what you put in the flower pots, they are isolated and cannot get nourishment from the soil around them if needed. The roots penetrate deep so make sure that you have a nice large planter to allow your plants to grow healthy and strong.
Now that summer is fading, the Gaura in our garden planters is going strong. The slender stems float over the garden container and extend out like wands in the breeze. It thrives in full sun and adds movement and grace to those garden pots, urns and window boxes.
What to do with all those herbs that we have grown so successfully over the summer – you can only make so much bruchetta and mint tea! Just take a few minutes and chop up the herbs, place in cube containers and fill with water with touch of oil. Then freeze, place the cubes in storage bags. They will be ready and easily accessible when needed.
Peas are a great crop to grow in containers but not usually recommended because of the amount of space they take up. Now anyone can grow a delectable crop of garden peas, no matter where you live or how much space you have. Burpee’s Petite Pea plants are only 10"" tall, produce as many full-sized 3"" pods as a larger plant and can be grown in a space as small as an 8"" diameter pot with no support. Here is a great idea for next year’s vegetable garden.
Watering during the early morning on calm days is the best way to use water – there is less evaporation. During the day the water does evaporate and reduces the chance of disease and attracting insects. Water deep before the heat of the day.
Yes, they do go together. Collect rainwater to give a drink to those plant pots and containers during summer dry spells. The water is pure and you are doing a great service to the environment as well. Many municipalities have rain barrels to sell at a good price – reduces the amount of water they have to process in the treatment plant.
The Gaura lindheimeri or Wand Flower has star shaped blooms along its wispy stems that go from dark to light pink. Although suitable for zones 6 – 9, they are wonderful in planters and containers and do winter over in colder zones. Another plant idea for your pots and garden urns.
Always looks for something a little different for our window boxes – if you have one near the kitchen, think about planting Parsley or other culinary herbs and then intersperse with Marigolds. Looks great and the Marigolds keep the bugs away.
To help your plants survive in a hot and climate be sure to use a pre-mixed soil that contains water retention polymers, they are soft granules that hold the moisture. A Great storage system for water. The consider plants that do not mind hot, dry conditions such as Bracteantha bracteata (Strawflower), Euphorbia and Ornamental Grasses.
Thrillers are those bold and exciting plants in your garden containers; they are usually the tallest and should be planted off to one side of your pot. Add the lower layers of plants surrounding your “thriller”, don’t forget some with bold colors too. To complete your arrangement, add a few plants to trail over the side so that the planter seems connected to the ground.
Just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get with the celebrations. Here is a garden planter combination suited for the occasion – start with your 12” pot or container and in a triangle, plant one of each of your Supersun Plum Parfait Coleus, then a Supertunia in white and ending with your Trailing Dark Blue Lobelia. Looks stunning.
We are always looking for something a little different for our planters and containers – here is an easy but very interesting looking one. Start with Blue Angelonia Summer Snapdragons in the center of your 22” pot, place two Mini Blue Supertunias at 6 & 12 o’clock, and then at 3 and 9 o’clock add two Creeping Jenny. Easy but very beautiful garden planter!
Your planters and pots are great places to grow your herbs. Herbs such as Peppermint and Thyme have a tendency to overgrow when planted directly in your garden. Just plant those wonderful herbs next to the kitchen door in your containers and planters and you will have fresh herbs for all your summer dishes.
Are you having a party or just a get together for lunch? Spruce up your entrance or patio with garden pots and garden planters. Add a splash of color from annuals that will catch the eye or place your containers where there is a bare spot in your garden. This only takes a few minutes and your home and garden look great when people arrive.
This combination works well for those over-wintered Geraniums that you want to get out into your garden planters and containers. Plant the Soft Rush Juncus grass or similar foliage grass in the center of your pot, surround with three of those leftover Geraniums and then finish off with another three Sky Blue Lobelia. Very traditional and always looks great.
Do you just want that light and airy feeling with your garden planter, pot and container combinations; think about the use of white and green. They give a restful look to your container garden, pot up and place beside those bold color planters that would otherwise dominate an area.
Before you plant, use your hands or a trowel to work water into the soil in your planter, pot or container. This is very important when working with soil-less mixes containing peat moss. It is a good idea to have the roots of your plants wet before planting as well. Then thoroughly water your planters and containers for an excellent beginning.
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