Container Gardens Aren't Just for Looks!
Container Gardens Need Consistent Watering
There is really one main difference between caring for your plants in a container garden and those planted in your garden plot, flower or raised bed gardens. The plants in your container garden are essentially that, ‘contained’ and they can not rely on the strategies that in-ground plants may utilize in dry times. In a container, there is no chance to spread roots out wider or deeper in search of water and rainfall won’t usually give them much of a boost either.
To offset this crucial difference, you really need to consistently hydrate your container garden. This means a steady, moderate supply of water that won’t subject your garden to endless cycles of over drying followed by over watering. With this vital key covered, your container garden will avoid much of the potential stress that plants in pots must try and overcome.
Container Garden Tips:
- Freshly potted plants or container gardens which are exposed to full sun or windy locations will be extra vulnerable and need careful, attentive monitoring.
- Root bound plants will have a large amount of roots that spread outward and eventually circle around the inner edge of their container. With less room for growth, more roots per area and so many roots close to the wall of the container, these plants will need quick attention. If you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes, or even at the surface of the soil your plant clearly has out grown its container. To check for cramped roots, turn the container over or on its side, tamp the bottom to loosen it and release the plant. Look over the roots and see if they have any telltale signs of overcrowding.
- Plants in dark colored containers may need more frequent watering because of the tendency for the darker color to become hotter than its light colored counterpart.
- Any plant with many thin, large leaves or even a moderately leafy plant will require more water then those with smaller more succulent type foliage.
- If your container garden plants are planted in a lighter type of potting soil, they will tend to dry out faster.
With these tips in mind and a consistent schedule of maintenance. you will be all set to get maximum enjoyment out of your container garden all season long!
Recommended Books on Container Gardening:
Container Gardening: 250 Design Ideas & Step-By-Step Techniques This book is truly inspiring! Chock full of beautiful and useful ideas for your container garden no matter the size or location. Recommended for beginners and advanced gardeners alike!
McGee & Stuckey’s Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers This one is geared more towards vegetable container gardening, and is a great reference for those that want to venture out of their tiny herb container garden and into a larger and even more edible garden!
