Container Gardening

HOW TO GROW PLANTS IN CONTAINERS OR POTS

USES FOR PLANTERS & POTS: 1. AS A DECORATOR FEATURE TO ADD OR EMPHASISE AN AREA Potted topiary trees either side of the front door are a perfect example of this. However single pots or groups of similar pots can be used to great effect to break up spaces, define areas, e.g./ around a patio or an outdoor eating area, or just to add greenery or colour to a dull spot. 2. FOR PLANTS THAT ARE SEASONAL, COLOURFUL & DECORATIVE Potted bulbs and annuals make lovely colourful displays when in flower but are rather uninteresting when first planted. They can be planted in containers & stored out of site until flowering when they can be moved into view, and then removed again when less than their best.

3. FOR PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS OR WITH PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS
Pots can be great for these people as there is no digging required. Pots or containers can also be raised for people in wheelchairs. Tending to plants has long being regarded as therapeutic.

4. FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A GARDEN
With an increasing population, more and more people are living Inner City and in units & apartments. A lot people these days have very little or no garden whatsoever. With pots and containers, everything from herbs & veggies to annuals can be grown. Even Water Features can be achieved in a pot.

WHAT TO PLANT:
A. HERBS

These can be planted in pots and kept near kitchen. Use single pots for very prolific ones like lemon grass & mint and multi plant others. Flowers as violets or marigolds which can also be used can be added for colour.

B. VEGETABLES
Ideal for children or Apartment Dwellers. Combo Punnet's of mixed lettuce or Asian Vegetables are now available, as are a series of REPEAT HARVEST vegetables. These are grown and only a couple of leaves removed at a time. Ideal for people living alone, who enjoy FRESH, mixed tossed salads.

C. ANNUALS
Very easy to do give a spot of colour and you can still have an easy care garden. Can be mixed with other plants in the same pot and used as an under planting. For the more dedicated of gardeners amongst you - these annuals can be changed with the Season's. Annuals can also be mixed with perennials in pots and just as successfully in HANGING BASKETS
.
D. BULBS
Bulbs make a lovely display. You can plant just one type or a couple in toned or contrasting
colours - tallest ones in the middle to shortest at edge. Plant on their own or mix with Annuals.
Seeds of Virginia Stocks sprinkled over the pot when planting make a beautiful understory for the bulbs. Pots can then be put away until next year, but make sure you fertilise to assist next Seasons growth as foliage is beginning to die down.

E. LARGER POT & PLANT DISPLAYS

LARGE Potted Plants as Features can include - topiary trees under planted with annuals or perennials. Large Urns filled with Ivy Geraniums or other creeper type plants . Growing Fruit Trees in Large Containers is not a new idea, but with the range of citrus and other compact fruit trees available today it is a lot more interesting Some of the many different varieties of fruit trees that can be successfully grown in Pots are - Cumquats, Pixzee Dwarf Peach Trees, Bellerina Apple trees & Nectarzee Nectarines. Please Note: a regular level of moisture needs to be maintained in the soil whenever there is fruit on the tree. Screening Your Neighbors can be achieved with LARGE TROUGHS planted with hedging type plants. One of the more hardy varieties that is used as a screening plant is the ever popular - James Stirling Pittisporum - Troughs or Planter Boxes can also be used to clearly define an outdoor entertaining area or patio.

F. CACTUS In CONTAINERS
With such a wide variety of Cacti in the Market place, it is not difficult to find species that will happily live in containers and also Indoors. Potted cactus will flower indoors if given enough light. JUST REMEMBER, when you first bring a Cactus home, place it a semi-shaded area until it be-comes accustom to the Sun. Cacti sun burn just like people.

G. GRASSES & STRAPPY PLANTS
Collections of grasses & strappy plants can be grouped in interesting containers to create a very modern look. Tall straight & tapered pots look great with these type of architectural plants. There is a great variety of plants to choose from including Dwarf Mondo or Liriope, tall native grasses, Mother n Law' Tongue and Phormiums.

H. DROUGHT PROOF
Somewhat of an oxymoron as 99% off all plants require water... BUT these plants require a lot less care than others and are far better suited to North & West Facing Area's then many others.
Our Top Ten Drought Tolerant Plants for container gardening include: Geraniums, Aloe plants, Yuccas, Olive Trees, Jade Plants, Sago Palm, Dragon Plant, Agaves, Bromeliads and surprisingly many varieties of Conifer's are all capable of handling prolonged dry spells.

CHOOSING A SUITABLE CONTAINER FOR PLANTING:
The choice here is endless and only limited by your imagination and the look which you are trying to achieve. Some of the basic questions we ask our clients to gain a better understanding of there requirements are - what are you planting ?
- what style is the house ?
- which direction will the plan t & pot be facing ?
- are you exposed to strong winds ?
- what size is the plant ?
- are you planting on a Balcony or Terrace ?
- are you able to water regularly ?
Upon the answering of these and other questions, we are able to successfully advise our clients as to the style, size, weight, quantity and thickness of pots or containers they would require. Should you require expert advice in this area, please do not hesitate to contact the author on: info@OutdoorEmporium.com.au

And Finally...HOW TO SUCESSFULLY PLANT INTO A CONTAINER:

1. CLEAN
Should your pot or container have been previously used thoroughly clean so that no remnants of previous soils remain on the inside. DO NOT USE bleach or household cleaners as these will leach into your new fresh soil and in 2 months time you will be left wondering why your plants are suffering when you followed all the other steps so diligently. USE WARM WATER, SCRUBBING BRUSH & ELBOW GREASE for best results.

2. SEALING
Should you be planting into a porous materials, such as terracotta or timber, we highly recommend that you Seal the inside of the Container so as to the minimize the absorption of water into the sides of the container. Take care to heed recommended drying times for all sealants and wash pot with plain water prior to planting. This again ensures that no harsh chemicals will adversely affect your fresh soils.

3. PLACE in POSITION
It is often impossible to move large pots without assistance once they have been potted so plan position carefully and move whilst empty...whilst this little GEM of ADVICE might appear basic, it is truly worth remembering unless your partner is a Chiropractor.

3. DRAINAGE
Place a layer of gravel, road base or broken pots (between 3 - 6cm dependant on size of pot) at the bottom of the container to assist with drainage of water. This ensures that the drainage holes don't get clogged with soil.

4. ADDING SOIL & WATERING IN

Only ever use a quality potting mix, this ensures your plant has the best chance of survival. Soils do differ - you would require a different potting mix for growing Orchards as you would for Oranges. Please seek an experienced industry professionals advice when purchasing potting mix. Add soil up to the level required to comfortably fit Root Ball into container. Do not overfill at this stage as it is much is easier to add more soil than to put it back in the bag. ADD nutrients or wetting agents to your Quality Potting Mix as per plant requirements. Place plant into the container and fill around it evenly, ensuring Plant is relatively straight. Fill Soil to within an inch of the top. Water in plant immediately for best chance of success. Once the plant has been watered a few times you will find that the soil level has compacted to a lower level - at this stage, top up soil back to initial level and MULCH around plant if required. As all things of VALUE in Life require care, we wish you much success with your Container Gardening adventures.

This Article was Composed by Sheraz Janif: May 2009

Should you have any queries whatsoever in relation to the above Information Please Do Not Hesitate to Contact Us on: info@OutdoorEmporium.com.au

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WEB SITE: www.OutdoorEmporium.com.au