1. 1 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 11 Container Gardening A How-To Guide Hennepin County Master Gardener Program Images by Mary Meyer

2. 2 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

3. 3 What Is Container Gardening? The practice of growing plants in containers instead of planting them in the ground

4. 4 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Goals  Know: How to use container gardens in the landscape  Feel: More confident that you can start a container garden  Do: Start a container garden of your own

5. 5 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Why Practice Container Gardening?  Easy  Economical  Have a garden in any space  Liberation from your geography  Outfox the critters  Instant gratification  Can grow almost anything

6. 6 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What Do You Need for Container Gardening?  Container  Mix  Fertilizer  Water  Plants

7. 7 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Containers For Plants Can Be Anything… …as long as there is drainage Images by Mary Meyer

8. 8 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Container Options  Terra Cotta or Clay  Plastic & Fiberglass  Wood  Glazed Ceramic  Metal  Stone, Hypertufa Troughs

9. 9 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Terra Cotta or Clay  Classic choice  Heavy  Dries out quickly  Develops mold, salts etching Image by Mary Meyer

10. 10 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Plastic & Fiberglass  Lightweight  Holds moisture longer  No staining  Colorful, decorative and attractive Image by Mary Meyer

11. 11 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Wood  Informal, natural appearance  Good insulators  Needs replacing eventually Images by Mary Meyer

12. 12 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Glazed Ceramic  Beautiful  Non-porous  Can be too airtight for root growth  Colors may clash with plants flowers and foliage Image by Mary Meyer

13. 13 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Metal  Attractive  Little insulation: can be very hot or very cold Images by Mary Meyer

14. 14 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Stone or Hypertufa Trough  Moss grows on containers  Heavy  Expensive  Harder to find  Drainage may be a problem Images by Mary Meyer

15. 15 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What Else Do You Need for Container Gardening?  Container  Mix  Fertilizer  Water  Plants

16. 16 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Soil Mixes  Potting soil  May contain –Pasteurized soil –Sphagnum peat moss –Vermiculite –Perlite –Composted manure Image by Mary Meyer

17. 17 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Soilless Mixes  2-3X lighter  May contain –peat moss and/or ground bark –vermiculite –perlite Image by Mary Meyer

18. 18 Some Mixes Retain Moisture and Contain Fertilizer Image by Mary Meyer

19. 19 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What Else Do You Need for Container Gardening?  Container  Mix  Fertilizer  Water  Plants

20. 20 Use Two Fertilizers  Follow product directions  Planting: mix in fertilizer granules  Watering: add dilute soluble fertilizers  Know N-P-K Image by Mary Meyer

21. 21 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What Else Do You Need for Container Gardening?  Container  Soil  Fertilizer  Water  Plants

22. 22 Water Often  Daily in summer  Water soil, not plants, until water drains out  Small, hanging containers need extra care  Type of container makes a big difference Image by Mary Meyer

23. 23 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What’s the Last Thing You Need for Container Gardening?  Container  Soil  Fertilizer  Water  Plants

24. 24 Four Factors Guide Plant Choice  Location  Purpose  Color  Personal preference Image by Mary Meyer

25. 25 Locate sun-loving plants in sun Purple or pink fountaingrass loves sun and warm or hot locations Images by Mary Meyer

26. 26 Begonia ‘Dragon Wings’ Locate shade-loving plants in shade Fuchsia Images by Mary Meyer

27. 27 Osteospermum ‘Orange Symphony’ likes cool weather; opens with sun Images by Mary Meyer

28. 28 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Purpose  Produce food  Add color  Hide / cover  Highlight  Frame  Attract attention

29. 29  Full sun  Lots of water  Fertilizer  3 gallons mix: 1’ of plant Food Image by Karin Ciano

30. 30 Nicotiana sylvestris Color Hibiscus Images by Mary Meyer

31. 31 Cover a bare wall Image by Mary Meyer

32. 32 Highlight a patio Image by Mary Meyer

33. 33 Highlight a flower border Image by Mary Meyer

34. 34 Soften corners Image by Mary Meyer

35. 35 Frame a bench Image by Mary Meyer

36. 36. Frame a walkway Image by Mary Meyer

37. 37 Frame an entryway Image by Mary Meyer

38. 38 Attract attention Image by Mary Meyer

39. 39 Highlight a special collection Image by Mary Meyer

40. 40 Create a landscape Image by Mary Meyer

41. 41 Winter interest Images by Mary Meyer

42. 42 Formal or informal formal informal Images by Mary Meyer

43. 43 Choose eye-catching color schemes Image by Mary Meyer

44. 44 White color theme Images by Mary Meyer

45. 45 Great combinations Images by Mary Meyer

46. 46 Great combinations Image by Mary Meyer

47. 47 Great combinations Image by Mary Meyer

48. 48 Great combinations Image by Mary Meyer

49. 49 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. mg.umn.edu

50. 50 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Hennepin master gardeners.org

51. 51 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Social Media

52. 52 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. What questions do you have?

53. 53 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Please fill out your evaluation  Know: How to use container gardens in the landscape  Feel: More confident that you can start a container garden  Do: Start a container garden of your own

54. 54 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this PowerPoint is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at 800-876-8636. Thank you! Extension Master Gardener Program Yard & Garden Line (952) 443-1426 Extension.org/horticulture