Container Planting

Planting in containers gives a gardener more flexibility.

If you have poor soil, soggy soil, rocky soil, or soil covered with concrete, growing plants in containers is the answer. Even if your soil is rich and fertile, container-grown plants have a place in your landscape or patio. If your yard gets sun in short bursts, container-grown plants can be moved around to follow the sun. A container garden on a porch or balcony is an ideal way for frustrated urban gardeners without a yard to grow something outdoors.

Suitable Containers

A container suitable for planting should have drainage holes in the bottom and be deep enough to accommodate the root system of the plant. These containers don't necessarily have to be "proper" plant pots, as long as there are holes for excess water to drain. Almost any size of container is suitable for planting, although flat, shallow containers are not deep enough for most plants.

Fertile Soil

Give your potted plants rich, fertile soil in which to grow. Use a commercially available potting soil, or mix your own. A good mixture for potted plants is two parts soil, two parts peat moss and one part perlite. Add all-purpose granulated fertilizer to each container as you plant it, following the fertilizer manufacturer's recommendations for potted plants. Do not use soil from the garden without adding peat moss and vermiculite or perlite; without these additions it will compact, depriving the roots of oxygen, and the surface may crust over when the soil dries out.

Growth Habits

When planting a container garden, use plants in each container that have similar needs or preferences for soil, light, water and fertilizer. For example, even though impatiens and bougainvillea both want and need a lot of water, impatiens require partial to full shade, while bougainvillea vines need at least a half day of sun in order to bloom.

Tending

Container-grown plants require daily inspection by the gardener, especially during the hottest part of summer. Plants in containers frequently require daily watering and at times need water twice daily. Try to situate your potted plants so they receive at least some shade during the hottest part of the day, even if they are sun-lovers. The plants will be less stressed with a small respite from the heat of the midday sun and they won't dry out as quickly. Fertilize container-grown plants weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer mixed at half the strength recommended by the manufacturer.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Container Gardens, M. Roll, et al.; 2006
• University of Arizona Extension: Container Garden