| All the information you need to know on how | | | | visit.The first step in potting a container |
| to plant Container Gardens. This article will | | | | garden is to place sufficient drainage |
| show you how to plant successful and healthy | | | | material in the bottom of each so that water |
| Container Gardens.When you are ready to mix | | | | can pass through freely, but not so much as |
| ingredients, be sure the soil is damp and | | | | to interfere with the roots. An inch or two |
| workable. To determine this, take a handful, | | | | of flower pot pieces (rounded sides up), or |
| squeeze it and allow it to drop. If water | | | | chips of brick or flagstone, pebbles, gravel, |
| comes out, it is too wet; if it breaks apart, | | | | small stones, or cinders can be used. The |
| it is too dry. But if the lump of soil | | | | larger the, the larger the pieces should be. |
| retains its shape or cracks just a little | | | | Some gardeners spread a piece of coarse |
| when it is dropped, it is in good condition | | | | burlap and a layer of sand over large |
| to work.Be certain gardening containers are | | | | drainage pieces. A layer of Vermiculite or |
| clean when you start. Soak used or new clay | | | | sphagnum moss over the drainage material is |
| pots overnight so they will not draw moisture | | | | also fine to keep soil from clogging holes. |
| from soil after planting. This is a very | | | | If the holes clog the roots will drown.Above |
| important step when you are beginning your | | | | the drainage, spread a layer of soil, the |
| plants life. If the pot draws off the | | | | amount depending on the size of the root ball |
| moisture the new plant will be | | | | of the plant. Place the plant in position so |
| deprived.Though redwood, cedar, and cypress s | | | | that the surface of the soil will be an inch |
| may be left natural, they may also be stained | | | | (more for big plants) below the rim of the |
| or painted. First clean the surfaces then | | | | pot. This space is needed to hold water.Fill |
| apply one or two coats of stain or paint. Let | | | | soil in around the roots, firming gently with |
| dry completely before planting.Consider the | | | | your fingers or a piece of wood so as to |
| shape of each, its color, and texture in | | | | eliminate air pockets. Do not make the soil |
| relation to the color of flowers and foliage | | | | too tight for fine feeding roots must be able |
| and the present as well as ultimate size of | | | | to penetrate it with ease.Finally, water |
| each plant. Don't choose material that is too | | | | plants well, let them drain. If water passes |
| small, and if you want a group of plants for | | | | through the pot very rapidly, press soil |
| a large, select one tall specimen for the | | | | again to firm it, that means there are air |
| center to give height and scale.Keep in mind | | | | pockets. If the soil holds water too long, |
| the form of plants, particularly the | | | | loosen it a little.Place the plants in a |
| evergreens which stand out boldly in winter. | | | | sheltered spot out of sun and wind for the |
| Rounded types, as clipped yews or globe | | | | first week or so while they make new root |
| arborvitae, look well in angulars. Hollies or | | | | growth and adjust to new conditions.When your |
| yews, sheared into squares or pyramids, look | | | | permanent trees, shrubs or perennials grow |
| better in circular tubs. This contrast of the | | | | too large for their pots, shift them to |
| curving with the straight always gives | | | | bigger ones. |
| interest to the garden and those guests that | | | | |