Container Gardening – A World of Possibilities

Container Gardening Excellent for a small area Gardens can be grown inside or outside. Offers endless opportunities. Offers creative opportunities. Provides you with options that are unavailable with permanent plantings.

Container Characteristics Need to include a drainage hole(s). Desired plant needs to match the container. Containers need to compliment surrounding décor or architecture.

Do not let containers over- power your home!

For wooden garden box, use rot- resistant wood for the containers. -CCA treated wood is usually chemically stable. Terra-cotta pots are porous and can leach water. –Coat inside with paint Plastic pots –Are impermeable –Less expensive –Lighter

Types of Containers Pots Wastebaskets Aquariums Waterproof bushel baskets Washtubs Hollowed-out logs Crates Bowls Crocks Urns Tubs Barrels Cans Pans Chimney flues Baskets Cement blocks Old pair of work boots

Soil for Containers Growing media is extremely important. It must have the capability of holding water, but drain easily. Ordinary garden soil is generally a poor choice. Garden soil increases the risk of insect infestations and soil borne diseases.

The ideal growing media is a commercially prepared “soil-less” media. *Composed of the following materials: peat moss or composted pine bark sand vermiculite and/or perlite lime minerals and nutrients *Light weight *Relatively expensive

Cost can be a factor when needing a large amount of potting media. *Fill container half full of styrofoam packaging peanuts or pine cones. Container should be filled to within 2 inches of the top.

Seven Rules for Creative Container Gardens 1. It is your garden! Use any and as many container you want or can find.

Go Garden?

2. There are very few plants that can not be grown in a suitable container.

3. Plants in containers need regular watering and feeding.

Watering Plants in containers need watering more often. Under-watering major problem in the summer. Over-watering is the most common reason for container plants dying. *Finger test *Check bottom Best time to water plants is in the morning. *Allows leaves and soil surface to dry.

Fertilizing Frequent watering will wash the plant food out of the soil. A regular feeding program – based on the type of plant. –during the growing season –slow release type plant food (Osmocote) – soluble complete fertilizer should be used every two weeks(Peter’s Special, Miracle-Gro., etc).

4. Containers look better in a group. Unless your container is exceptionally decorative. Pots can be added, replaced or rearranged

5. Grow permanent plants in their own container but add single season plants –better to use one plant per pot and group the pots

6. Provide winter protection and guard against spring frosts. Container and roots can freezing during the occasional cold spells.

7. Place permanent plants in proper size container. Put in smaller containers and move up as plant get larger Time to move to larger container!!!

Types of Container Gardens Desert garden Tropical garden Water garden Herb garden Vegetable garden

Desert Garden

Water Garden

Herb Garden

Tropical Garden

Vegetables in Containers

Container Gardening – A World of Possibilities Wayne Porter Area Horticulture Agent Mississippi State University Extension Service Meridian, MS