Are you looking for simple tips and tricks to help you plant beautiful flower pots this season? Here are 11 great ideas to get you started.
The garden is filling up and turning green. There are still not many perennials in bloom yet. Not in my garden.
Flower container gardening is great for adding instant color to the garden. It also makes a great focal point.
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I am a self-taught gardener and not a Master Gardner. All the information I share on my blog is my opinions and things that have worked for me.a
Report an AdBeautiful Flower Garden Containers: Tips on Planting
Select Plants That Will Survive in Your Garden You need to choose the right plants for the area you plan to plant them before you can even select your flowers. When choosing plants for a container, you must know how much water and sunlight they require.
Report an AdChoose the right plants for your lighting conditions
You can read the labels or tags on your plants to determine whether they prefer sun or shade.
Combining sun-loving and shade-loving plants in the same container is not a good idea.
Select the Right Container
There are many options for choosing a container for your flower garden. Many options include galvanized buckets, tubs, window boxes, and concrete containers.
Report an AdWhen choosing a container, keep these things in your mind…
The soil will stay cooler in lighter-colored containers than in darker ones.
Terracotta pots are easily damaged by freezing and thawing during the winter. Store them indoors for the winter. It is essential to keep them hydrated as they tend to dry faster.
Choose a container made of wood naturally resistant to rot, such as cedar or pine, treated with a preservative.
Metal containers can conduct heat, so you need to be cautious about the temperature fluctuations of your plants’ roots.
DRAINAGE
The containers you choose must have drainage holes at the bottom.
After researching, I discovered that gravel or rocks could harm the plants because they would prevent the water from draining out of the container.
You must drill your drainage holes if the pot or container you use needs to get them. The minimum diameter hole for a small or medium pool is 12″; for larger banks, it’s 1″.
Report an AdFilling deep container with soil
Filling some containers with dirt can make them heavy to lift, and you will need to fill them with more soil than you want.
You can reduce the amount of soil needed to fill your container using various methods.
Recycled plastics: water bottles, grocery bags, or milk jugs.
Plastic Containers: used containers and pots from plants can fill the space at the bottom of large flower containers.
Packing Materials: packing peanuts, styrofoam peanuts. Avoid packing nuts made of corn, as they will dissolve when exposed to moisture.
Metal cans: Crush them and layer them in the bottom of the container
Natural Material: Leaves, wood chips, and pinecones. These materials will break down with time, so they are better suited for seasonal planters, which get reported regularly.
Report an AdSPILLERS
The spillers are plants that trail over the container and spill out. They should be planted near the edge. The spillers can be grown all around the container if it will be visible from all angles. These plants can be placed in front of the container if the container is only going to be seen from one side.
When planting flowers and plants in your containers, consider the size and shape of the roots. It is essential to allow enough space for the roots of a plant. If it becomes rootbound and there is not enough room, it will dry out faster than you can water.
Report an AdEnsure that your plants need the same light, water, and care. Impatiens that prefer shade will not do well in a container with a petunia that requires full sunlight
Harden Off Your Plants
Hardening off your plants will help them become accustomed to the elements. It is a process that involves exposing the plant to extreme temperatures, wind, sun, and other outdoor elements.
Ask the nursery or garden center if they have acclimatized their plants to outdoor conditions.
Click here for more information about hardening your plants.
Feed Your Soil
When I plant my annuals into containers, I use a fertilizer that releases slowly. You can also use a liquid fertilizer like a seaweed blend every week or so.
Adding fish compost to my containers will help feed the plants, keep them moist, and enhance their appearance.
It would be best if you space your plants according to their size
Regarding container gardening, I need to pay more attention to the spacing rules on plant labels. I look forward to seeing the flowers grow as quickly as possible.
Am I guilty of going overboard? Yes, but only a few times. If the container becomes too crowded, you can trim the plants or remove a few and place them in another container.
Water is Frequently a Problem
Container plants need more watering than those that grow in the garden. When the soil feels dry, water it.
You’ll have to water your plants daily during hot and sunny weather. Hanging baskets are especially susceptible to drying out quickly because of the wind.
Install a drip irrigation timer or garden hose to water your plants daily. These irrigation systems are great for people with busy schedules or frequent travel.
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Cleaning Up Before Winter
After your annual flowers die back, toss them into your compost pile. Empty your containers. They can crack if you leave terracotta and ceramic pots outside over the winter.
Plant any roses or perennials in containers directly into the garden before frost.
These simple tips and tricks for planting beautiful flower garden containers have given you new ideas when thinking about gardening.
Please leave a comment with any questions. I would love to hear from anyone.