How to Plant Flowers in Large Pots

For those without large yards, planting flowers in large pots is one of the best ways to dress up a balcony or patio. Depending on the amount of exposure to the sun, you can plant impatiens, begonias, marigolds or a multitude of other flowering annuals that will provide continuous blooming from late spring to the first frost in the fall. Clay pots are generally inexpensive and can be filled with potting soil and flowers in as little as 10 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• 34-inch clay pot
• Newspaper
• Garden trowel
• Potting soil
• Three six-packs of impatiens
• Watering canister

Instructions

Planting Flowers in Large Pots

1. Lay a newspaper on the floor of your garage or patio to catch any potting soil that might spill during the planting process. Position the clay pot on top of the newspaper, making sure the pot has a drain hole opened on its bottom. Dump potting soil into the pot, filling it within two inches of the container's top.

2. Take your garden trowel and dig holes in the soil approximately three inches deep and three inches apart from one another, totaling approximately 15 to 18 holes. Begin removing impatiens from their package and place one in each hole that you dig.

3. Cover each plant with a thin layer of soil, tamping down the dirt firmly around the stem. Repeat the process until all of the holes you have dug in the pot are filled with flowers, and their roots are covered with potting soil. Fill watering canister and douse your newly planted flowers. Position in part sun or part shade areas with at least six hours of light per day. Try to locate your pot out of windy areas because that can cause heavy evaporation.

4. Position a plastic tray or matching ceramic plate beneath the pot to catch excess water. Water your newly potted impatiens whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Be sure to saturate your flowers until water emerges from the bottom of your clay pot. Water multiple times a day, if necessary, during hot, dry weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply fertilizer to your potted flowers once a month prior to watering, being careful not to allow fertilizer pellets to land on your impatiens' blooms or leaves.

• Consider upgrading from clay to more durable and decorative ceramic pots, though those tend to be more expensive.

• Avoid over-watering, which can be fatal to your plants.

• Be sure to check that the pot has an exit point for the water because without that, the roots of your flowers can eventually rot and cause the plants to die.

References

• Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Annual Flowers in Containers