How to Plant in Big Plastic Pots

Flower, vegetable and herb gardens are a delight for all the senses. Usually when we think of gardens, we think of in-ground gardens, but you can create smaller but equally delightful gardens in large containers such as plastic pots and tubs. Filled with a variety of colorful and tasty plants, plastic container gardens can be a part of your summer outdoor decorating and culinary fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Assorted annual flowers, herbs and vegetable plants
• Big plastic pots
• Mild bleach and water solution
• Mild dish soap and water solution
• Garden gloves
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer
• Garden trowel
• Plant support cages, stakes or trellises

1. Shop for a variety of plants for your container gardens. Use a combination of flowering annuals and tall or trailing foliage plants, or combine colorful annual flowers with fragrant herbs. You also can select vegetable plants that grow upright, such as tomatoes, peppers, beans and peas, and pair them with herbs or annuals.

2. If you are using last year's pots, prepare them by cleaning with a mild bleach and water solution. Rinse, and then clean with a mild dish soap solution. Rinse thoroughly. New pots do not need to be disinfected and cleaned.

3. Choose the location for your big plastic pots and situate them based on the sunlight needs for the plants.

4. Put on your garden gloves and fill each pot with potting soil, leaving about three inches open at the top. If you are using granulated fertilizer, sprinkle some into each pot according to directions, and work into the potting soil.

5. Arrange the plants in plastic garden pots. Dig the plants in with a garden trowel, if necessary, or place more potting soil under them to raise them. Fill up the container for a lush look, but keep each plant's mature size in mind so that you don't overcrowd them.

6. Cover the roots of the plants with potting soil and press them in firmly.

7. Firmly place stakes, cages or trellises in your pots to support any climbing or heavy fruiting plants.

8. Water your plants thoroughly. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, add it at this time according to package directions.

Tips & Warnings

• When you remove your plants from their cells or growing pots, gently spread the roots apart before planting. This will help the roots spread better in the pot. Some potting soils come with fertilizer already in them. If this is the case, do not add additional fertilizer. When covering the roots with potting soil, it can help plant stability and additional root growth if you also cover part of the stem. This is not possible with all plants, but if you have a single stemmed plant, it is helpful. Plant colorful marigolds with vegetable plants. Marigolds offer some insect repellent protection to vegetables. Plastic plant pots look great when you use a tall plant in the center and shorter plants around it; or a tall plant in the back, with shorter plants to the sides and front. For added interest, place a trailing plant to the front or the sides.

References

• Iowa State University Extension
• West Virginia University Extension Service