Whether you’re in a small space that doesn’t allow for a full-fledged garden, or if you want to expand your green thumb, container gardens can provide a colorful and vibrant look to any size landscape. Chris and Payton Lambton, hosts of HGTV’s “Going Yard,” stopped by Studio 1A with a few things to keep in mind when it comes to creating a container garden.
When to plant
Chris and Peyton both suggest to wait until after the last frost to plant annual flowers, but in case the weather turns upside down in your area, bring the containers into the garage, under a patio or cover with tarps or old bed sheets to protect the plants from frost. Plastic containers are particularly moveable given their light weight.
Soil
Make sure to choose soil that is designed and formulated for potting. Several potting soils on the market include fertilizer, so be sure to know how long the fertilizer will be effective and begin feeding the plants once that initial period has ended. Fill the bottom of the pot with your soil and break up clumps as you add. Once the soil is added, test out plant placements, filling in around the base of the plant roots with loose soil as you work.
Watering
Drainage is vital when it comes to container plants, so make sure that your chosen containers have proper drainage holes. If some extra holes are needed, or if none are in the pot, a proper drill bit should be able to do the trick.
Quantity of plants
If you live in cooler areas of the country with a shorter growing season, pack your plants closer together for a fuller look throughout the season. Pack wisely though, as too many plants in a container will not allow room for the roots to develop.
Plant placement
If planting a round container that is visible from 360 degrees, place the tallest growing plant in the center and do a ring of flowering plants around it. In the front, place a row of flowering plants that grow downward. If your container is only visible from 180 degrees, plant the tallest plant at the back of the view, then proceed with shorter plants moving toward the front. These principles apply to planters, hanging baskets, window boxes and even flower beds.