CONTAINER GARDENINGRoss County Master Gardenerswith The Ohio State Extension Service

AGENDA Benefits of container gardening Key factors

Container selection Design Plant varieties

5 Critical components Soil Sun Exposure Water Fertilizer Pollination

Create a container garden

BENEFITS OF CONTAINER GARDENINGBenefits

Gardening to fit your lifestyle Scale Control of soil quality, sun exposure Space/location/mobility Indoor décor to outdoor landscaping Lower maintenance Not just for flowers – fruit, vegetable, herbs

CONTAINER SELECTION Types & Shapes

Anything is possible Good drainage is critical to plant health

Size Diameter and height to fit plants Room for roots

Other factors to consider Eye appeal Display location

Materials

CONTAINER MATERIAL Material Pro’s Con’sTerra-cotta Availability Fragile, permeability increases

water lossCeramic Durable, stability due to higher

weightWeight may limit mobility, cost, risk of freeze damage

Wood Insulating properties reduce temperature extremes

Risk of rot, minimum size

Plastic Variety of shapes, low cost, low weight, durability, moisture retention

Can be fragile, need to ensure good drainage

Fiberglass Durability, low weight, appearance

Concrete Durability, stability due to higher weight

Weight may limit mobility, soil pH may rise

Metal Durability and low weight Cost

RAISED BEDS, A POPULAR WAY TO GROW FOOD IN ‘CONTAINERS’ Poor soil? No problem Rototiller not required Large scale container gardening Same care requirements as standard container plants Not mobile, choose location carefully Can raise to waist level Construction

Types of borders – wood, brick, concrete, ‘plastic’ wood Size – 4’ ft width maximum for access, length as needed Aisles between raised beds for access Height a function of type of plants and personal preference

Most plants need 6” to 12” Beds higher than 18” to 24” require additional design for

structural strength

FLOWER DESIGN 3 in 1: thriller, spiller, filler Ideas and blueprints

www.urbanext.illinois.edu/containergardening/

1. Coleus2. Impatiens3. Lysimachia

• A single container or a collection

• Shape

• Texture

• Colors & shades that complement or contrast

• Scent

• Pick plants with similar growing requirements

• Spacing: instant fill or room to grow

VEGETABLE, FRUIT & HERB DESIGN Choose the right size container.

Peppers, chard and dwarf tomatoes, soil 1-2 gallons per plant

Full-sized tomato plants, cucumbers, soil 4-5 gallons per plant

Radish, onions, and beets, 6"-10" diameter pots Herbs, 4"-6" diameter pots Fruit

•Mini, dwarf or determinate type vege varieties work best in containers. •Most vege, fruit and herb plants require full sun exposure. •Some food plants require staking. Make sure the container can support stakes.•Edible landscaping plants offer the best of both worlds.

SOIL Ideal soil

Drains freely, yet maintains adequate moisture Potting mix vs. soil

WATER Container gardens need more frequent watering Sun and wind cause soil to dry out quickly Test soil for moisture and water accordingly Mold on surface

FERTILIZER Higher fertilizer needs Options

Initial potting mix Additional one-time or slow release Organic options, compost and compost tea

Watch for white powder build-up.

SUN EXPOSURE Sun exposure

Check seed packet or nursery tag for sun light requirements. Most food plants require full sun, 6-8 hours of direct sunlight

each day. Some plants do well in partial sun/ partial shade, less than 6

hours of sunlight. Many houseplants are shade plants that need no direct

sunlight. Location and mobility

North - cool, shady South – noon sun, warmest, driest East – morning sun, cool West – afternoon sun, warm

POLLINATION Most plants pollinate without human assistance, however… Container gardens are prone to pollination problems

because they don't get as much insect-traffic or wind. Lack of adequate pollination might result in a plant not

producing flowers, fruit or seeds.

Determine how your plant pollinates. Self-pollinating plants have male and female parts in a single flower, they fertilize themselves.Cross-pollinating plants need a vector (a pollinator or the wind) to move the pollen from a male to a female flower of the same species. Examples: Tomatoes and peppers self-pollinate. Zucchinis and cucumbers cross-pollinate.If your container plant is self-pollinating, give it a gentle shake to encourage pollen movement. If your container plant cross-pollinates, brush some pollen from the male flower onto the pistil on a female flower.

FILL & PLANT Container preparation

Ensure good drainage – drill holes, fill bottom with pot shards, Styrofoam peanuts, gravel – to ensure roots do not rot

Fill Fill, settle

Plant Remove plant from holder, ensure roots are free Scoop hole in soil, insert plant, gently press soil around

Water Outgrow? Repot!