KEEPING IT CONTAINED By Susan J. Henson Horticulturist City of Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department

Pick the Container Consider the following: Location Size Material or Composition Color

Potting Soil Soil should contain: Peat Moss Compost Bark Mulch Sand Vermiculite Pearlite (small amount) Time Released Fertilizer

Pick Colorful Plants Pick plants with the same light and water requirements

Remember to Remove Pots Pick plants with the same light and water requirements

Start With Tall Plants Pick viewing angle

Add Filler Plants Medium size and bushy plants

Adjust To Fit Adjust plants to leave a lip for watering

Add Trailing Plants Add dimension and interest with trailing plants

Firm Soil Lightly Do not pack soil to tightly but fill air pockets between plants.

Containers Accent Color

Plants Accent Containers

Containers Can Be Decorated

Anything Can Be A Container

Old Wheel Barrow Planter

Interior Garden

Aphids Usually found on new foliage Can be washed off with a strong stream of water Treat with Insecticidal Soap or Diatomaceous Earth Treat steams, both sides of leaves and new buds

Mealy Bugs Look like cotton on stems and leaves Can also be found on roots Can be washed off or treated with alcohol applied with a Q-tip Treat with Insecticidal Soap

Spider Mites Look for webbing or insects on the underside of leaves Wash off with a strong stream of water Mist underside of leaves twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks Use insecticidal soap on underside of leaves Mites reproduction quadruples when the temperature goes above 90 degrees Treat the area around the container to avoid another infestation

Scale Look for bumps on the stems or leaves that are tan, brown or black They can be treated with Dormant Oils or Superior Horticultural Oil Symptoms include Honey Dew - a sticky substance on the leaves and stems.

Organic Pesticides for use on interior and exterior plant material: Diatomaceous Earth Insecticidal Soap Superior Horticultural Oil BT - Attack or Dipel