Container gardening a feature of garden tour
April 21, 2005
Container gardening will be a colorful sight to see on the upcoming Annual Garden
Tour on April 30 and May 1 - and will be the topic for the second educational
workshop offered on a first-come, first-reserved basis at 5 p.m. on both days
of the tour.
The first workshop, announced in last week's article, is on bonsai.
Registration for container gardening or bonsai workshops, both underwritten by
Gaye Gilster Lee, may be paid at the following ticket
outlets:
· Earthworks Nursery, corner of
· The Foliage Shoppe,
·
· McAdams Floral,
· Renken's
Nursery Inc.,
Plants in pots! What a way to grow your favorite plants! They can be seen throughout
the garden tour, and especially in the Hall gardens on
There are many wonderful aspects of container gardening. One can grow plants
anywhere - where there is poor soil or no garden space; in fact, any place you
want. Containers can be moved around; they can turn any location into a potted
paradise. A really nice feature about container gardening is that containers of
plants may be used to enhance a permanent garden planting that may be on a
downturn during the growing season. And then, of course, there is the container
itself, the selection of which is only limited by one's imagination and stamina
to search for that special container.
OK, so I will assume you've decided to try your hand at designing and
constructing a container garden. Here are things to consider making your task
successful. After deciding where the container will be situated, look for one
that will be suitable in the space. Whatever you decide to use, be sure it has
a hole for drainage. Since the plants in your container garden will share the
same root space and light exposure, make sure your choices are compatible.
Obviously, while cacti and ferns are marvelous plants, they should not be
planted together. Also, flowers come and go, but colorful foliage lasts
throughout the growing season. Consider this colored foliage as a focus of your
pots. A harmonious color theme unites the plants. Contrasting textures and
forms make them interesting.
While it is fun to visit your favorite garden center to select new and
unusual plants, don't forget to look around your own garden. There may be a
plant you would like to try in a container with other plants. A portion of a
plant that has multiplied past its limits in your garden may a perfect
candidate for a container. (One plant I plan to try this year is one of my
tropical cannas, which will be the focal point of that container.)
After you've selected your plants, choose a good potting mix. There are many
from which to choose. Your local nursery or garden center will be able to help
you make the right selection. Adding a slow release or organic fertilizer will
give your plants an added boost. You may also want to add a water retention gel
to help keep your container of plants from drying out. To help retain the soil
in your container, but letting the water drain, use a piece of broken pottery,
curved side up over the hole. Another way is to use a piece of scrap screen
wire over the hole. Something that I just recently discovered is mesh self-adhesive
fiberglass drywall joint tape. It comes in rolls. Just cut a square piece and
place over the hole. The holes of the mesh are small enough to keep the soil in
the pot while letting the water drain properly.
Now you've decided on your plants, you've found that perfect container, and
purchased a nice large bag of potting soil, and fertilizer. Before you put
things together, if the pot is terra cotta, soak it in some water if it is of a
manageable size. Clay is porous and will pull moisture from potting soil if it
is dry. This step is not required for metal or plastic containers. The plant
should then be soaked in its pot from the nursery in a bucket of water just
long enough for the bubbles to stop. Place your choice of soil retainer over
the pot drain hole, add your chosen amendments to the potting soil, arrange
your lovely flowers appropriately and, "voila," instant beauty in a
pot! Water in your plants and then weekly give them a drink as appropriate for
the plant. Don't forget to spray water on the outside of the pot to help retain
moisture.
Several other master gardeners and I will be illustrating these points when
conducting the container gardening workshop at 5 p.m. on both days of the
garden tour at the Averill Duson gardens. Come learn how to prepare and care
for a container garden by advanced registration available at the various ticket
outlets already mentioned for only $10.
Speaking of tickets, make note that advance price tickets remain on sale for
$15 through this Sunday at all ticket outlets. Ticket prices go up to $18
starting Monday UNLESS you present this article and/or the adjacent coupon at
the time of purchase. With the article and/or coupon, tickets can be purchased
for the advance price of $15. Bring this article and/or coupon to purchase
garden tour tickets starting April 25 and save yourself
some money for admittance to the tour.