Container Gardening – A World of Possibilities. Container Gardening Excellent for a small area...
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Transcript of Container Gardening – A World of Possibilities. Container Gardening Excellent for a small area...
Container Gardening• Excellent for a small area
• Gardens can be grown inside or outside.
• Offers endless opportunities.
• Offers creative opportunities.
• Provides you with options that are unavailable with permanent plantings.
Container Characteristics • Need to include a drainage hole(s).
• Desired plant needs to match the container.
• Containers need to compliment surrounding décor or architecture.
• For wooden garden box, use rot-resistant wood for the containers.
- CCA treated wood is usually chemically stable.
• Terra-cotta pots are porous and can leach water. – Coat inside with paint
• Plastic pots– Are impermeable– Less expensive– Lighter
Types of Containers • Pots• Wastebaskets• Aquariums• Waterproof bushel
baskets• Washtubs• Hollowed-out logs• Crates• Bowls
• Crocks• Urns• Tubs• Barrels• Cans• Pans• Chimney flues• Baskets• Cement blocks• Old pair of work
boots
Soil for Containers
• Growing media is extremely important. It must have the capability of holding water, but drain easily.
• Ordinary garden soil is generally a poor choice.
• Garden soil increases the risk of insect infestations and soil borne diseases.
• The ideal growing media is a commercially prepared “soil-less” media.* Composed of the following materials:
• peat moss or composted pine bark• sand• vermiculite and/or perlite• lime• minerals and nutrients
* Light weight* Relatively expensive
• Cost can be a factor when needing a large amount of potting media.* Fill container half full of styrofoam
packaging peanuts or pine cones.
• Container should be filled to within 2 inches of the top.
Seven Rules for Creative Container Gardens
1 . It is your garden!• Use any and as many container you want
or can find.
Watering• Plants in containers need watering more
often.• Under-watering major problem in the
summer.• Over-watering is the most common reason for
container plants dying.* Finger test* Check bottom
• Best time to water plants is in the morning.* Allows leaves and soil surface to dry.
Fertilizing • Frequent watering will wash the plant food out
of the soil.
• A regular feeding program– based on the type of plant.– during the growing season– slow release type plant food (Osmocote) – soluble complete fertilizer should be used every
two weeks(Peter’s Special, Miracle-Gro., etc).
4 . Containers look better in a group.• Unless your container is exceptionally
decorative.• Pots can be added, replaced or rearranged
5 . Grow permanent plants in their own container but add single season plants– better to use one plant per pot and group the pots
6 . Provide winter protection and guard against spring frosts.• Container and roots can freezing during
the occasional cold spells.
7 . Place permanent plants in proper size container.• Put in smaller containers and move up as
plant get larger
Time to move to larger container!!!
Types of Container Gardens
• Desert garden
• Tropical garden
• Water garden
• Herb garden
• Vegetable garden