by Nancy Heide
Container gardening is an effective way to add color to a spot that isn't necessarily a bare patch of soil. Avoiding these five common mistakes can make the difference between a mediocre and a fabulous container.
MISTAKE NUMBER 1 - CHOOSING THE WRONG DIRT
So many of us, whether trying to be thrifty, or just for lack of time or other resources, choose to put field or garden soil in our containers. Although plants grow well in the ground, this can spell disaster to a container. Plant roots need air to be able to spread and grow. When a container gets saturated, water fills the spaces between soil particles and in the plant in saturated soil drowns because it can't get any air. This happens especially in
containers with heavy clay soils. Use a soilless based potting mix, or mix your own using peat, perlite, vermiculite, and composted manure.
MISTAKE NUMBER 2 - NO DRAINAGE HOLES
For the same reasons as choosing the wrong dirt, be sure your container has a means of drainage. Punch holes in the bottom if it doesn't.
MISTAKE NUMBER 3 - CHOOSING THE WRONG COMBINATIONS
Most plants can get along with others, but try to choose ones with similar growing habits. Plant shade plants with other shade or part shade plants. Plant water lovers with other water lovers. Plant vigorous growers with other vigorous growers. Remember there aren't any rules to follow here, just learn from experience and keep records to remember what works and what doesn't. Help is found at nearly every garden centre, and also countless recipes online.
MISTAKE NUMBER 4 - IT JUST RAINED... I DON'T NEED TO WATER
Unless the rain was a gentle, soaking rain that lasts for days, you should always check to see if your container is dry. It is surprising how little water is absorbed by the container if it rains fast and hard, especially if the container was dry to start with. An easy way of checking is to pick up the container (or try to tip a large container) and check its weight. A dry container will naturally be lighter and easier to tip than a well-watered. If there are
petunias in the planter, pay attention to their blooms. They will all wither at once if the soil moisture can't support them. Other plants will just wilt and their leaf color will be noticeably duller.
MISTAKE NUMBER 5 - I DON'T NEED TO FERTILIZE
Plants, like people, cannot survive on water alone. Many nurseries don't use a soil mix which contains fertilizer in their container gardens for various reasons. Always ask if the mix contains fertilizer and when you should re-apply when purchasing ready-made containers. Use a slow-release fertilizer or water soluble, or better yet, add compost or composted manure to provide fertilizer in its purest form to your containers.
Practice makes perfect with containers; don't be afraid to try something new or step outside a boundary. You'll enjoy your new instant gardens exponentially!
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