It looks simple enough. Pour packaged potting soil mix into a container, plop a few plants in the soil and wait for the beauty or vegetables to happen naturally. Container gardening is almost that simple, but by adding these six tips to the planting mix, you're almost a shoe-in for container gardening success.
Location, Location, Location
You can purchase the most expensive and healthiest looking plants at the garden supply store, but if you plant them in a container that is in the wrong location, they will die the same death as cheap plants. Make sure your container is in the right location for the plants you place in them. Find out if the plants need full sun, partial sun or shade and place the container in the right location for plant success.
Use Slow Release Fertilizer
Before planting anything in the container, mix some granulated, slow release fertilizer into the potting soil mix. After the plants begin growing, use a water-soluble plant fertilizer at half strength each time you water the plants.
Pack Them In
When planting flowers or vines in a container, be generous and pack them in the container tightly instead of sparce planting and waiting for the plants to grow into the container. Packing them in the container provides instant beauty and the plants can easily be pruned or re-potted a few months down the road.
Morning Watering
Always water container plants in the morning so the leaves will be dry by nightfall. Wet or damp leaves make the plant more susceptible to disease. Container gardens need water more frequently than in-ground gardens because the soil dries out quicker. Check container soil and water the plants anytime the soil is dry to the touch.
Good Water Drainage
Containers must have good drainage to prevent the soil from becoming water logged and rotting the plant’s roots. Start with a good draining potting soil mixture and containers with sufficient drainage holes in the bottoms. Place a coffee filter or small piece of screen over the drainage hole before adding the potting soil to to prevent clogs and the loss of potting soil.
Deadhead Weekly
A once per week deadheading session will keep container plants looking good and growing strong. Regular deadheading encourages plants to fill out and produce more blooms. Pinch or cut off all old blooms weekly.
Source; Guide to Container Gardening accessed Oct. 17, 2011
Helen Stewart - Ms. Stewart resides in Georgia where she is enjoying her career as a freelance writer. She writes for many online publications including ...
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