Product How-To's
- Planting a container
- What you’ll need
The following will be needed in order to create a beautifully planted container:
- Planter – Selected based on your personal taste
- Soil - Commercially available potting soil (your local garden center can provide the best advice on the type of potting soil to buy to go with the plant you select). Many planters today have markings on the bottom to tell you how much soil it will take to fill the planters (measured in quarts). Commercial potting mixes are also marked with their volume by quarts for convenience.
- Drainage Materials – Something to put in the bottom of the pot to create a drainage space that will allow water to drain fully helping to prevent root rot. There are many options here. Stones or broken pot shards are examples of frequently used materials. Packing peanuts are great for this and are lightweight. Whatever you select is needs to be of good size (2-3”) and create a bed that is porous so that water will flow through.
- Tools – A hand trowel or transplanter can be very handy. A watering can will likely be a much, especially for indoor use.
- Plant – Think about where you want to put the planter once you’re finished. Then look for a plant or plants that will work will in those conditions. Most plants sold today include guidance regarding sun or shade tolerance.
- Planter selection
Selecting a planter is mostly a matter of personal preference and budget. Today planters are available in a number of price points, materials, sizes and finishes. Select the pot that appeals to you and will fit with your décor. Here are a few general guidelines:
- Always select a pot that is at least 2 inches wider than the plant you selected. If you are buying a plant that is in a 6” growers pot in the store then select a pot that is at least 8” in diameter or bigger. This will give the plant room to grow and develop with out being restricted.
- When using planters outdoors watering is a significant issue. The dirt will tend to dry out faster in the constant heat of the sun. So when planting for outdoor use it is always wise to go even bigger with your planter.
- Drainage is important. Most plants will not tolerate standing water on their roots. This leads to root rot and other problems. So it is important that the planter you select has a drainage hole or the ability for you to easily drill or punch a hole. Especially for indoor use, it then becomes critical that you also purchase a saucer to capture any water that drains when watering. Choose a color coordinated saucer or clear saucer sized to fit your planter.
- Plant selection
When selecting a plant it is important that you know where you are going to put it when you’re done. Sunlight is the most important criteria to be aware of as plants vary in terms of their sensitivity to light. Some plants love full sun. Others will only thrive out of the sun in shady conditions. Most plants sold today are well marked to guide you in your selection.
Combining multiple plants in one planter is a great way to create a different look. Combine taller planters with low lying planters for a ‘tiered’ look. Arrange multiple colors for drama. The options are endless.
- Getting started
Once you’ve got everything you need follow these steps to create a beautiful potted plant:
1. Check to see if your planter has a built in drainage hole. If yes, and it is not plugged, you are ready to go on to the next step. Most fiberglass planters have a hole with a rubber plug which should be removed. Some planters have not hole. If the planter is made of plastic, foam or fiberglass it is fairly easy to either drill or punch a hold. Use care to avoid personal injury when drilling or punching a hole.
2. Place a layer of drainage material (rocks, stones, packing peanuts, broken pot shards, etc. 1-3” deep in the bottom of the planter.
3. Fill the planter half full with commercial potting soil. Lightly water the soil to moisten it. This will help eliminate air pockets and provide moisture for the new plants.
4. Remove the plant or plants from the container they were sold in. If the roots are visible around the root ball loosen them with your fingers. This will make it easier for them to spread.
5. Place the plant in the pot in the location you think makes sense. If using multiple plants arrange them as you see fit.
6. Fill the planter with soil so that the soil line is 1-2 inches below the lip of the planter. Make sure the top of the root balls of your plants is even with the final soil level. Do not bury the entire root ball.
7. Lightly pack the soil and plants. If the soil line is more than 1-2 inches below the lip of the planter add potting soil as needed.
8. Place the planter in its final location. Place a saucer under the planter if it does not include a built in saucer. This is important for capturing any extra water that runs through the planter and will help to protect floors and furniture.
- Plant care
Regular watering is the key to thriving planters. Look for guidance that may be included on the plants you buy. The location of your planter will impact the frequency of watering. Direct sun or being close to a heat vent can dry out a planter faster than a plant in a shady spot. In the heat of the summer outdoor planters may need to be watered as frequently as ever day or every other day.
Potted plants can quickly drain the soil of nutrients. Therefore, it is important that you add nutrients back in. Many plant foods are available. Choose one that is easy to use and can be mixed in to the watering can when you water.
- Helpful Tips for Container Vegetable Gardening
More and more gardeners are turning to growing vegetables in containers. Advantages include the ability to grow veggies in small spaces, less weeding and simple convenience. Many vegetables work great in containers. Root vegetables such as carrots and radishes will work well and grow fast which is great if you have kids involved. Bushy plants such as tomatoes and peppers do great in containers. Vine or climbing vegetables like cucumbers, squash, and green beans will flourish in containers. And leafy vegetables such as lettuce work well in planters. You can grow the fixings for a whole salad in a few contains and very little space.
Today there are many plant varieties developed that work great in containers. Look for seeds and plants that reference “bush, compact, or dwarf’ for varieties that are likely to be good choices for containers. Your garden center can help guide you in making plant selections.
When selecting a planter to grow vegetables in it is wise to go large. 20” and 24” containers are great for plants that develop a strong root system. Examples would include tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. Give your vegetables lots of space. This will help in terms of frequency of watering later as well. Smaller pots generally need to be watered more often as they have less soil or potting mix to hold moisture.
Vegetables grow fast and will drain the soil of nutrients quickly. This means that fertilizing is a very important step. You can mix in slow release fertilizers with the soil at the start which will give the plant a long term source of nutrients. Water soluble fertilizers can be mixed with water in the watering can for easy application.
When it comes to watering develop a regular routine and try to stick to it. Containers that are outside in full sun tend to dry out quickly. Sp water often and regularly. Plants like tomatoes will grow more regular fruit if watered regularly.
Finally, make sure your container has good drainage to allow extra water to drain out. Heavy rains can soak a planter and standing water can be damaging to your plants.
