Container Gardening Mistakes
Good soil is key to success in any garden, but it's especially important in containers because your plants are growing in a restricted environment. So don't be tempted by expensive, off-brand potting soil that will do more harm than good to your plants. Remember, almost any soil can be labeled "potting soil," so read the label before you buy. A good quality potting soil should drain well, provide plant nutrients, and retain moisture during dry periods. Also, it should be sterile without weeds or disease organisms. A good bet is a potting mix based on aged organic compost mixed with sphagnum moss, vermiculite, or perlite. Do not use soil directly from your garden. Even the best topsoil in the world dries out too quickly for container use.
Mistake No. 2: Choosing the wrong pot
There are almost unlimited pots and containers to choose from. However, you should avoid drainage holes at the bottom so that excess moisture does not build up in the soil. Also, remember that clay pots are a natural material that breathes, so they dry out faster than ceramic or plastic pots. Use clay pots for succulents or plants that don't mind living on the dry side, such as cacti. Clay pots also work well for other plants, but you'll need to water them often. Small pots can also be a problem because they don't hold much soil and dry out too fast. The bigger the container you have, the better. Do not plant anything that grows more than 18 inches tall in a pot 12 inches in diameter or smaller. Tall flowers and vegetables need plenty of soil to grow to prevent them from falling over.
Mistake No. 3: Forgetting water
Lack of water is the number one reason container gardens fail. As a general rule, most containers need daily watering, except during heavy rainfall or when the weather is cool and cloudy in the spring and fall. If you travel a lot, it's smart to set a drip irrigation system on a timer to water your pots while you're gone. Or, choose plants that don't mind dry conditions and forget about growing thirsty flowers or vegetables. Watering containers is usually not a problem unless you use pots without drainage holes.
Mistake No 4: Combining sun and shade plants
The old phrase "birds of a feather flock together" applies to plants and your bird's neighbors. Sun-loving flowers should never be mixed with shade plants. For example, shade-dwellers like impatiens may look great when you first pair them with sun-loving geraniums or marigolds, but eventually one of these plants will fail depending on the amount of light the container receives. If you are buying a pre-planted container, look carefully at the pot before buying, as sometimes these mixes have a poor mix of shade and sun-loving plants. Always read the plant tag if you are unsure of a plant's light requirements.
Mistake No. 5: Starving your plants
Container-grown flowers and vegetables are appetizing. Because they can't break down nutrients in the soil, you'll need to feed them repeatedly to prevent them from blooming or yielding. Unfed plants often develop yellow leaves and stop flowering. To keep your plants happy, feed them with a little liquid fertilizer every 10 days (follow label directions). Your potting mix may contain a slow-release fertilizer, but it's still smart to provide a liquid plant food supplement
Mistake Six: Mixing Spring and Summer Plants
Some plants prefer cool weather, while others thrive when temperatures rise. If you want a colorful garden in the spring or fall, look for varieties that like cooler temperatures and toss them out once the weather warms. Conversely, warm climate species may drown and die in cold climates. That's why you shouldn't try to mix the two types in the same pot because, at any given time, one group will be poor while the other will shine. Cool-weather flowers, like pansies and snapdragons, are happier together than forced to share space with heat-loving plants like zinnias and verbena.
Mistake No.7: Exposing plants to air
There is nothing sadder than watching a hanging basket of greenery slowly die as it is blown back and forth by a hot wind. Plants are not superheroes. They can't stand very harsh conditions, and they look the same as they did the day you brought them home from the garden center. Avoid placing hanging baskets in open, windy areas, and don't expect a vase or pot filled with flowers to thank you after being left to fend for itself in the open. Check your pots often and if they seem to be having a rough day, move them to a less stressful place.
Mistake No 8: Letting things go wild
Like people, flowers are best when it comes to a spa day. Left to their own devices, most flowers will eventually look a bit ratty without a little extra attention. First, remove the flowers when they fade. This will give the plants a better look and encourage the development of additional flowers. Then, use scissors or pruners to cut back long, leggy growth, especially from trailing plants like petunias or sweet alyssum. Pruning plants create a cleaner look and encourage new, more compact growth from the center of the plant.
Mistake No. 9: Buying instant gratification
If you're in the market for a pre-made basket or container, look for ones that aren't completely filled. Garden centers often sell spectacular planters in full bloom, but often these pots have already seen their best days. The younger and fresher the container is, the longer you can enjoy it. They may not bloom at the time, but once you bring them home they will have a long life. Don't be tempted by the shiny, perfect pot on the rack.
Mistake No. 10: Expecting too much
Annual flowers and vegetables are not redwoods; They have a limited lifespan and are easily replaced once they die. Trying to keep a plant alive past its expiration date is a lesson in futility. Plus, your container will look awful with half-dead plants hanging over the sides. Be ruthless and pull out any plants that no longer belong. Pull out dying plants and replace them with young, fresh specimens. There is no room for emotion when it comes to container gardening.
Comments
Post a Comment