Container gardening

My container plants are thriving this year! Every container is literally overflowing with flowers right now. I love growing flowers in pots because I can move them around if needed, I can try out interesting color combinations, and it’s easier to meet the soil and water requirements for the individual flowers. In addition to the flowers, we also grow vegetables and herbs in assorted pots, and we’ve even grown small trees and shrubs in large containers. Right now hubby has some pepper plants thriving in pots, and we’ve grown tomatoes and herbs in years past as well.

Here’s a look at what just four of my many containers looked like when I first planted them on May 5th, and what they look like today, July 19. Click photos for larger versions.

Container of mixed annuals. First photo shows the pot when first planted, second container shows what it looks like today:

Second large container of mixed annuals:

Container by the lamp post with mixed annuals including marigolds, salvia, pinks, and purple petunias:

Cast iron pot planted with mostly coleus:

• Make sure your container has drainage holes in the bottom.
• I use garden soil and sometimes mix it with commercial potting soil for my containers that will be on the ground; I use lightweight commercial potting soil for hanging baskets.
• The smaller the container, the more often you will have to water it. Some of my containers, even the large ones, have to be watered every day during the hottest part of the summer.
• I use a liquid fertilizer on all my containers, weekly. For wave petunias and other annuals with prolific flowers or for hanging baskets, I dilute the fertilizer by half and use it two or three times a week.
• Make sure to deadhead the flowers several times a week to keep them blooming all season. Deadheading means simply to snip off the spent flowers so they don’t go to seed.

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A few interesting container gardening links:

Choosing and Combining Plants for Containers

Staging a Container Plant Display

Using Containers as Elements of a Design

Hot Pots and Cool Containers Contest

Container Gardening Guide

Container Gardening Tips & Techniques

Vegetable Gardening In Containers

Growing Perennials in Pots