Pots Upon Pots - I Can Hardly Contain Myself!

Pots, also known as containers, are essential when you have limited planting space. But a visit to your local nursery or gardening center can leave you overwhelmed with choices, such as which size do I pick, what color do I select, and does it really matter what the pot is made of?  And while containers of different sizes, shapes, and colors will provide you with an attractive aesthetic for your garden, you must also pick pots that are optimal for healthy plant growth.

PICKING THE RIGHT SIZE

A small plant will not grow as well in a huge container. Likewise, a bigger plant will not be able to spread its roots in a tiny pot. And don't forget the drainage holes! Proper drainage allows air pockets to form in the soil, which in turn keeps water from pooling and suffocating the roots of the plant. If you do buy a pot without drainage holes, poke them yourself with a drill or a screwdriver. 

WHAT'S IT MADE OF?

Do you have plants that require consistent moisture? Pots made from plastic, glazed terra-cotta, or metal are your best choice. Although clay pots and coir hanging baskets are beautiful to look out and allow plants to breath, they can also dry out sooner than later. Want something a little different? Try using containers with an interesting look, such as wall pots, wooden dresser drawers, and even old shoes. 

KEEP THEM CLEAN & KEEP THEM SAFE

Clean pots equal healthy plants, so make sure to wash your containers before you reuse them. And keep an eye on the weather. Terra-cotta pots can break when the temperature gets cold or fluctuates, so store them in a place with even temps. 

And finally, always make sure the pot is empty before filling with dirt! 

Source: Container Gardening. Athlon Sports Inc., publisher. 2023. Print. 

8 Plants You Can't Kill

Love the idea of container gardening, but afraid to invest a lot of money in live plants that may turn into dead plants within a week or so of potting them?  

If so, here are eight plants that are almost impossible to kill. In fact, they will thrive without a bunch of fussing and puffing, so make sure you take this list with you when shopping at your local garden center or nursery. 

Let's get started!

1.) Wave Petunia - a trailing plant that comes in pink, purple, yellow, red, white, and apricot. 

2.) Scaveola - this plant has blue-purple fan-shaped blossoms and looks great in a container. A favorite of gardeners and butterflies.

3.) Coleus - this plant grows in shade or sun, depending on the variety and comes in color variations of lime green to blood red.

4.) Verbena - this plant loves to cascade over pots and blooms with tiny, wonderfully fragrant white, pink, and purple flowers.

5.) Sweet Potato Vine - this plant is known as an ornamental vine and grows well in shade or sun.

6.) Agave - this plant loves the sun and can exist for long periods of time without water.

7.) Mandevilla - this plant grows high, so make sure you include a trellis or a climbing wall in the pot when you plant it. 

8.) Bacopa - this plant is a vine that blooms all summer and requires plenty of water to support its growth. 

Source: Container Gardening Magazine, 2023. 

 

The Logical Order of Gardening

Ever do something before you were actually supposed to, just because you couldn't wait until the appointed date and time to do said thing? For example, perhaps you opened a Christmas present early, bought those new shoes before the sale started, or snuck in a bite or two of dessert before dinner. 

If we're honest, most of us have put the cart before the horse, counted our chickens before they hatched, or been faster than our shadow on more than one occasion. This past Monday was such a moment for me. 

My morning started out as most of my mornings do. I got up, went running, took my shower, and started working on my short list of chores. The air was chilly when I stepped out on the back porch, but the sun was already shining brightly with a promise of warmer temperatures as the day progressed. 

As I walked over to water the dogs, I noticed a patch of high grass nestled up against the house. While waiting for the bowl to fill I scanned the backyard for overgrown grass clumps and within thirty seconds, I identified at least ten thriving patches of field grass and clover. Suddenly, my palms became sweaty, and my face wrinkled up like a raisin. 

Then the self-talk started - "the first day of Spring is March 19th" along with "gardeners in your growing zone will not start working on their lawns until temperatures are a little more consistent, so chill out." And last but certainly not least - "what will the neighbors think?" 

Well, try as I might, I could not fight the urge to fix what I felt was an early injustice in the growing season. Neighbors and zones be darned! I quickly stepped back inside, pulled on my rubber gardening boots, walked to the garage, grabbed my equipment and started cutting down the wads of weeds. Once finished, I used the leaf blower to clear the sidewalk of any incriminating evidence. Then, I happily put my gardening tools away and went inside. 

And the best part? I had not cheated myself out of additional workdays in the spring. Weeds, after all, are a gift that keeps on giving.