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