Container gardening has been a great way of gardening for as long as we can remember. It’s quick, it’s easy and you can make it your own by arranging pots with your own style! While container gardening may be slightly easier than planting into the ground, simple principles are often overlooked. Here’s a few things you may have overlooked!
image via pixabay
1. Move the big pots first, then fill! Luckily once filled with soil and plants, little pots are still fairly easy to move. But once the large pots are filled, they will be extremely heavy to move. Try to find a place for the large pots first before filling it, and assume it will stay there. You’ll save your muscles a lot of energy!
2. Don’t over water your plants. Not enough water can kill plants, but so can too much! Signs of over watering include yellow leaves or limp plants. Try to buy containers that have drainage holes. Also, check the moisture requirements for the plant you have, and follow those instructions accordingly.
Rule of thumb: Before watering, check if the soil is moist! To do so, stick your index finger two inches beneath the soil. If it’s dry, water them!
3. Don’t under water your plants! In the summer especially, most containers need watering at least once a day. Smaller ones or hanging containers may need more, because there is less soil to hold the water. Try to water until you can see the water coming out from the bottom of the container.
4. Buy healthy plants! When buying starter plants versus seeds, make sure your plants aren’t sick (disease and pest free). Buying at nursery like us is a great place to start, as we have staff who can offer valuable advice!
5. Have realistic expectations. How much time do you expect to dedicate to your garden? Will you be gone from your house for long periods of time? How much will this cost? It’s easy to jump into it and get excited, but make sure you choose what works for your lifestyle!
Considering planting a container garden or need help? See Whispering Springs Nursery! You can bring your containers in and we will be happy to plant them for maximum wow factor or we can help you choose the plants to do it yourself. Call 770-893-1254!
