The A, B, C's of Container Gardening

Container Gardens are "IN" today because of their decorative use on patios, decks and entry areas. Commercial plantings in towns, shopping centers and institutional sites and places where soil conditions are poor are all the places where you will see these beauties.

The 3 Biggies are:
• Variety selection for the amount of sun the plants will receive
• The growing substrate or simply put, the potting soil
• Water and feeding regimen

The first thing to consider is choosing the right varieties for sun or shade exposure. Shade loving plants really struggle in full sun so be sure to select varieties that will grow well where the container garden will be growing.

Next is the type of soil to fill the containers with for good growth and performance all growing season. Every garden center and box store offers a bagged potting soil and some provide better results than others. Price seems to be the driving force at some sources. The raw ingredients that are used in the manufacture of these "soils" are basically a peat moss base or a combination of bark by products from other industries. Additives such as styrofoam beads, perlite, vermiculite and rice hulls are some of the items used to provide the proper air/moisture relationship so plants will grow well. In addition to these properties there are the nutritional requirements. Be sure to start with a high quality potting soil, never topsoil, it is too dense.



Nutrition from plant foods is essential for good growth and flowering. One of the key factors in having plants grow well is the correct pH or the acidity level of the potting soil along with the essential plant foods. Remember, plants are 75 - 95% water so the water quality used to care for them plays a huge part in the growing of Container Gardens. When our water source is water from a well in this area, this can lead to some issues with the pH of the soil in containers, causing it to become too high. Since our bedrock material in southwest Ohio is limestone, our well water and some municipal water, is alkaline and can cause the pH to creep up and this can cause the leaves of plants to turn a light green to almost yellow. When this happens the plants stop growing and become pretty ugly.

A good quality potting soil will help avoid these problems by supplying nutrients and oxygen to the roots that plants require. Using rain water to water plants in containers, including hanging baskets, is also a good idea when this is possible. Instead of supplying the food that plants need using a water soluble fertilizer that must be applied at least weekly try one application of a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote that provides a steady food source for the entire growing season.

Enjoy the nice days that are ahead, get outside and soak up the spring. If a question comes up, drop us a line at info@meadowview.com, we'll do our best to get you a prompt answer.

Growing in the Miami Valley for 33 years.
Meadow View Growers

www.meadowview.com.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate
With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has long been commended as the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. It has qualities unlike any other wood in its ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climates, yet weather attractively.
All about Tulip Gardens
As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of the first flowers to take the spring stage. As the last drifts of snow seep into the soil, these bright signs of spring dance in the sunlight.
Preparing Successful Seedlings
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions.
Riding Lawn Mowers
Most riding lawn mowers are machines fun ride and extremely cool to look at. However, they are just a dream for many gardeners who can not afford one of these powerful gardening equipment.
Growing Vegetables in Containers - The Compact Solution
Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that don't have access to backyards. There can be a range of reasons to grow your vegetables in containers.
Cyclamen
Think of cyclamen and the chances are that Mothers Day immediately comes to mind, which is something of a pity. Now don't misinterpret me, there's nothing wrong with mothers or with having a day for them, but it does seem a little unfortunate when such beautiful, adaptable and useful plants become so commercialised that there's difficulty escaping that association.
How to Attract Butterfly Activity...
The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no accident if you planned your garden carefully. The adult butterfly flitters from flower to flower - sipping nectar from many flowers in your gardens, while other adult butterflies search for areas to lay their larvae.
Keeping Your Planters Looking Good All Summer
Keeping those beautiful hanging baskets looking good doesn't take a lot of time and it isn't necessary to work on them often.
Lap Pools - Great Exercise Inside Or Any Size Backyard
Do you love swimming? Do you dream of an in ground pool in your backyard; but you just don't have the room for it? If space is an issue; in ground lap pools allow you the exercise you desire for any size backyard. They are so great because they allow you to go swimming and get some exercise in a very small space.
Feed the Birds
Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders are lovingly coveted by many people (and birds)!The collector seeking a new piece for the den or study need only consider personal taste and aesthetics- many who enjoy the careful art and craftsmanship of a beautiful birdhouse or feeder would never think of placing their precious gift outside in the rain and other elements.The serious or novice birder, on the other hand, has just a bit more to consider.
Thyme: The Herb of Courage
Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley and bay leaves to make a bouquet garni, adds a distinctive aromatic flavouring to meats, poultry, stews, sauces, and stuffing. Thymus vulgaris, commonly known as cooking thyme, English thyme, French thyme, or winter thyme is just one of the 350 species of the genus Thymus.
Garden Statuary - Time for a Fresh New Look
Spring is coming, and now is the time to get out and whip those outdoor spaces into shape. With new growth appearing on trees, bulbs popping up and birds and butterflies coming out of hiding, your patio, garden or backyard is ripe for a fresh new look with decorative accents that put a delightful finishing touch on your own little corner of nature.
Choosing Pond Plants
A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond plantsfight algae, give fish a hiding place against predators, andbeautify our own little slice of paradise to plunk down in at theend of a tiring day.
The Meanings Behind the Colors of Roses
Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by giving someone a rose you are telling them how truly special they are. There are a number of colors of roses available and each one represents a different meaning to the receiver.
Teak Furniture - A Cut Above The Rest
As you shop around for outdoor furniture, you will notice that much of the higher quality pieces are made from teak wood, and for good reason. Teak furniture is not just sturdy and durable, but also very beautiful with rich warm tones.
The String Algae Blues
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming back to life in your pond with the warmer weather, many of us are battling with string algae. String algae is caused primarily by a combination of the buildup of organic nutrients in the water, and sunlight.
How to Create a Zen Garden
When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured up is of a dry landscape with rocks surrounded by carefully raked gravel which invites you to withdraw from the noise of the world outside and to enter into silent meditation. Some say that zen priests adopted the dry landscape style in the eleventh century as an aid to create a deeper understanding of the zen concepts, but others hold that the Japanese Zen Garden is a myth.
A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One
When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me more inviting and warm than furnishing that space with natural products such as wood. Often, though, there are problems associated with wood furnishings.
Planning a Water Garden...
A water garden is the area of your landscape that will provide you with relaxing sounds of the water, while adding to the overall details of your landscape. The water garden is a project that you must 'plan' for continued success.
Mint: The Herb of Hospitality
The Mentha species or mints as they are commonly called include many varieties that flavour everything from appetizers to desserts. The best-known species in North American are peppermint (M.