The Best Window Box Plants

They are probably the best-known summer flowers. The low-growing varieties are suitable for window-boxes on balconies and planters on terraces. Marigolds can be sown directly in the garden when danger of frost has passed, or they can be started indoors for earlier blooms.

Harden Off Those Containers

Add color to your garden long before it is time to plant regular spring annuals. Make sure your container is hardened off before you place it outside and it will provide weeks of color when temperatures are still cool. Place it in a location where you will see it often, it's the perfect cure for spring fever.

Great Focal Point Planter

This Planter contains the miniature butterfly bush which has all the appeal of the full sized Buddleia but in a smaller package! Flowers from mid summer to frost. Pruning generally not needed, but may be trimmed in spring. Fragrant flowers. Deer resistant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Love Those Garden Gloves

Here is a message from our customer - wow "

"Within minutes after the arrival of my fabulous gloves in AZ. My roses are well along here in the mountains already with lots of leaves so far. These will also be great for other shrubs that seem to attack my arms!"

Garden Gloves – So Important

Spend extra money for the best quality gloves you can afford. The higher cost is justified. The garden gloves fit better, last longer and will withstand a lot of gardening time. It's worth the extra dollars to get the right pair of garden gloves.

All About Dogwood

Red osier dogwood is just the best plant for this time of year – cut down some branches – you can find them in fields and ditches and then place them in garden pots or containers. Fill the over-season containers with soil to hold the stems. Attach some of those low voltage bulbs and you are all set for a fine looking decoration to brighten up those dull Winter days.

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.

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.

Taking a Break

I am taking a break for a few days to attend the Free the Children Me to We Conference in Vancouver. We will have an opportunity to be inspired by speakers like the Dalai Lama and see what a difference just one person can make in the world. There will be thousands of youth at the conference seeking how they too can make a difference in their community and world today.

"Create a world of change through your daily choices"

Container Garden Tools

We don’t talk much about tools, however, they are most important and now is the time of year to check to see that they are all in good condition, well cleaned and ready for the next season of container gardening.

Plant Sale Time

This is the time of year for local plant sales. Take some of those wonderful container plants and split them up for your donation, or replace one of the plants for something new for the Season. Everyone loves seeing what everyone else is growing and you are supporting a worthy cause along the way.

Garden Planter Trio

Use three garden pots or planters to create a beautiful display or just use one container for all – both suggestions work so well. If you don’t have any very large planters or urns three small pots will do. Plant Superbells (calibrachoa) in one pot, with Heuchera or coral bells in the second one and complete with Diascia.