How to Plant Spring Window Boxes

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By Sarah C
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Plant Spring Window Boxes

Spring isn't spring without flowers. While the soil may not be ready to work, you can plant in containers and window boxes. Spring is a great time to start planting window boxes with blooming annual flowers.

To have a beautiful thriving window box, planting it properly is important. In this article, you will be guided step by step, to create a flower window box that will grace your house well into summer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Choose your plants-

What type of plants should be used in a spring window box, is going to vary as to what zone you are in. In colder zones, it will be important to pick a cold hardy plant, such as the pansy. The pansy can survive small freezes and even weather a little snow. Warmer zones will have more to choose from, but no matter what your zone is, choose an annual flower for longest lasting blooms.
Step 2

Prepare the window box-

A plastic window box is a great choice. They are inexpensive, durable and easy to use. Before planting, remove the plastic plug, located on the bottom of the planter. This will insure good drainage. Wash out the window box with warm water.
Step 3

Get the flowers ready to plant-

Before planting, soak down the plants thoroughly, especially if they were bought from a store. Plants can sometimes be very dry, the soil should be nice and moist around the roots.
Step 4

Fill the planter-

Choose a planting soil that is used for planters. A good soil should be a mixture of peat moss and soil. Dirt that has plant food mixed in, is a nice added bonus. Fill the window box 2" from the top. Water the soil if needed.
Step 5

Remove the flowers -

Take all the plants from the containers. Break each one from pack and set it aside.
Step 6

Untangle the roots-

At the bottom of each plant, break the roots from it's circular pattern from being confined in a small container. The roots will be able to establish faster, if they are allowed to spread out.
Step 7

Plant-

Dig a small hole in the soil, place the plant in and bury up to soil level. Don't allow the dirt to go up to the leaves or leave any roots sticking out, the soil should only go up as far as already established.
Step 8

Space the plants-

Leave enough room between annuals, so they have room to spread out. Pansies and other spring annuals will spread as soon as they get established.
Step 9

After planting, care for the window box, by watering every day and feeding the flowers plant food once a week. To keep the flowers blooming longer, when the flower is spent, deadhead by removing the old flower at the stem. This will encourage the plant to produce more buds.

Comments

mark-andree said

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on 4/25/2009 Great article and photos which always help a lot to describe. :)

slphilbrick said

on 4/24/2009 Clear and concise article and photos !

cybilfrost said

on 4/23/2009 This is a wonderful article... nice pics too! 5*

mommyhen42 said

on 4/22/2009 really great and informative article on how to plant spring window boxes and great tip about the roots, many people do not realize that the roots should be set free to expand.