Time to spruce up your spring garden! Joe Lamp'l, host of the DIY Network's “Fresh From the Garden,” shares some simple tips to keeping your container garden plentiful this season.
Potting soil
This is the most important step in the process! Look for packaged soil that says “container mix” or “potting soil.” These are specially developed to provide the necessary drainage.
Many soils today have built-in timed-released fertilizer and moisture retention granules that take some of the worry out of care and maintenance. A great improvement for our busy lifestyles!
The best type of soil for gardening is known as sandy loam, which contains roughly equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay particles, plus a fair dose of organic matter. By organic matter, we mean plant residues like grass clippings and fresh manures, which are going to help your garden.
Don't use ordinary garden soil from your yard. It is usually too heavy and not suitable for a container. If the soil you purchase does not have moisture retention particles included, just know that you may have to water your pots everyday and sometimes several times a day in the hottest part of summer.
Nurseries and garden centers sell all sorts of soil products in bags, and if you have a small garden or are putting together a container garden, this is what you are going to need. If you have a large garden you are probably better off buying topsoil.
Various garden center soils
- Miracle Gro container mix with moisture control
- Scott's Hyponex potting soil
- Miracle Gro potting mix
Fertilizer
There are many on the market, from liquid to granular. If you get confused by the choices, look for one that is labeled for containers or annuals or go for a balanced all-purpose blend.
Don't be intimidated by the three-number code on bags of fertilizer. It indicates the levels of nitrogen (n), phosphorus (p) and potassium (k) in the fertilizer.
Nitrogen is responsible for the intensity of the color green in the plant. Phosphorous is good for maintaining the root system as well as the plant's blooming and fruiting. Potassium is necessary for the general vitality of the plant.
If you look on the fertilizer package, the n,p,k are always listed in this order. It is the percentage within that package of each component. For example, a common type of all-purpose fertilizer is referred to as 10-10-10. This is a balanced blend of equal portions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If you purchased a 50-pound bag, five pounds (or 10%) would be nitrogen, five pounds would be phosphorus, and five pounds would be potassium. The remaining 70% is simply filler, or inert ingredients, which are there mostly to help disperse the chemicals.
Water-soluble fertilizer is good for annuals planted in containers. It mixes very well into watering cans, making it easy to apply the fertilizer to the plant. Water-soluble fertilizer will wash away when it rains, but in that case just reapply.
Granular fertilizer works well for perennials and vegetables. It penetrates directly into the soil, releasing small amounts of its nutrients every time it rains or the plant is watered. Make sure to follow the label instructions. Different types of plants require different amounts of fertilizer.
To fertilize with a granular fertilizer, grab the required amount and lightly sprinkle around the base of the plant. Lightly beat the fertilizer into the soil using a trowel, then gently water the soil to complete the process.
Flowers: What is in season right now?
We frequently hear the terms “annuals” and “perennials” in reference to gardening and particularly flower gardening. These terms refer to the lifespan of the plant. Annuals complete their entire lifecycle in one growing season, and then die. Perennials on the other hand, given the right conditions, will continue to survive for two or more growing seasons.
If annuals only live for a relatively short period, then why do we even bother with them? First, annuals can provide that perfect punch of color, right where you need it. They look spectacular in containers, and deliver that wow factor in any mass planting.
Flowers to plant this time of year in your container garden:
- Classic examples of annuals include: pansies, petunias, marigolds.
- Perennials are tulips, daffodils, hosta, and ferns. Perennials are a good longer-term solution to many garden beds, providing not only great color but also foliage.
How to create your own spring container garden
1. First, make sure the container has a hole for drainage! Then line it with a coffee filter so the soil doesn't run through and stain your deck or patio.
2. Fill with soil to nearly the top — about 2/3 to the top. Make sure you leave an inch or two of head space between the top edge of the container and the top of the soil for watering.
3. Arrange the plants the way you want. Firm down the soil around the roots of the plant when they are first set. Think “odd” — one type of annual grown in a mass in a large container looks great. Two doesn't look as good. Use three plants, and it looks great again. In other words, odd numbers look better than even.
4. Once you've arranged your plants the way you want, add more soil to the top to cover the roots.
5. Water. Water is important — and remember — the quickest way to lose a container plant is to water improperly, so water only when necessary. Test the potting mix to determine if the plant requires watering. For example, if the soil is dry to a depth of one or two inches, then you may water.
6. Try to water late in the day, if possible, to reduce the stress on the plants. Consider watering the plants twice, too. For example, soak the mix well, wait a few minutes while you move on to other plants, then water them again. This watering technique is well worth the extra time considering its effect. During the first watering, the water is absorbed very quickly, but it often leaves dry spots or gaps within the potting mix. The second watering fills in those gaps.