How to Reduce the Water Needs of Container Plants

Different kinds of containers are better or worse at retaining soil moisture. Careful choice and placement can cut back the amount of watering you need to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Planting Containers

1. Plant in containers at least 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Plants in smaller containers often require more water.

2. Buy glazed clay and plastic pots that are light in color - they allow plants to retain moisture and stay cool.

3. Cluster pots together and set them in partial shade, or put them together in one larger pot or box and fill it with mulch.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep container plants out of moisture-stealing winds.

on 8/8/2006 If you don't have time or forget to water your container garden on a regular basis, put a few sponges about half way down or more in the pots before you put in the potting soil.
Before I fill my buckets, I put a layer of pea rock in the bottom of the container after I have drilled drain holes, then filter cloth across the entire container, the some sponges usually across the entire container in a layer, then put the potting soil on top of that all the way up.
The sponges will hold the water for the plants to access when they need it and can sustain them until you have "time" to water.
The more sponges you use, the better!
Also, don't use colored sponges. Natural colored sponges are better and will not affect the plants.

on 11/22/2005 Place peat moss in bottom 1/3 of container. Then use ordinary garden soil in middle layer. Place mosture control soil (heavy in peat moss) on top layer. Plants will develop roots in middle layer and draw water from the other two layers. Fast growth will ensue while saving water.