Container GardeningContainer Gardening

– A World of – A World of

PossibilitiesPossibilities

Container Gardening• Excellent for a small area

• Gardens can be grown inside or outside.

• Offers endless opportunities.

• Offers creative opportunities.

• Provides you with options that are unavailable with permanent plantings.

Container Characteristics • Need to include a drainage hole(s).

• Desired plant needs to match the container.

• Containers need to compliment surrounding décor or architecture.

Do not let containers over-power your home!

• For wooden garden box, use rot-resistant wood for the containers.

- CCA treated wood is usually chemically stable.

• Terra-cotta pots are porous and can leach water. – Coat inside with paint

• Plastic pots– Are impermeable– Less expensive– Lighter

Types of Containers • Pots• Wastebaskets• Aquariums• Waterproof bushel

baskets• Washtubs• Hollowed-out logs• Crates• Bowls

• Crocks• Urns• Tubs• Barrels• Cans• Pans• Chimney flues• Baskets• Cement blocks• Old pair of work

boots

Soil for Containers

• Growing media is extremely important. It must have the capability of holding water, but drain easily.

• Ordinary garden soil is generally a poor choice.

• Garden soil increases the risk of insect infestations and soil borne diseases.

• The ideal growing media is a commercially prepared “soil-less” media.* Composed of the following materials:

• peat moss or composted pine bark• sand• vermiculite and/or perlite• lime• minerals and nutrients

* Light weight* Relatively expensive

• Cost can be a factor when needing a large amount of potting media.* Fill container half full of styrofoam

packaging peanuts or pine cones.

• Container should be filled to within 2 inches of the top.

Seven Rules for Creative Container Gardens

1 . It is your garden!• Use any and as many container you want

or can find.

Go Garden?

2 . There are very few plants that can not be grown in a suitable container.

3 . Plants in containers need regular watering and feeding.

Watering• Plants in containers need watering more

often.• Under-watering major problem in the

summer.• Over-watering is the most common reason for

container plants dying.* Finger test* Check bottom

• Best time to water plants is in the morning.* Allows leaves and soil surface to dry.

Fertilizing • Frequent watering will wash the plant food out

of the soil.

• A regular feeding program– based on the type of plant.– during the growing season– slow release type plant food (Osmocote) – soluble complete fertilizer should be used every

two weeks(Peter’s Special, Miracle-Gro., etc).

4 . Containers look better in a group.• Unless your container is exceptionally

decorative.• Pots can be added, replaced or rearranged

5 . Grow permanent plants in their own container but add single season plants– better to use one plant per pot and group the pots

6 . Provide winter protection and guard against spring frosts.• Container and roots can freezing during

the occasional cold spells.

7 . Place permanent plants in proper size container.• Put in smaller containers and move up as

plant get larger

Time to move to larger container!!!

Types of Container Gardens

• Desert garden

• Tropical garden

• Water garden

• Herb garden

• Vegetable garden

Desert Garden

Water Garden

Herb Garden

Tropical Garden

Vegetables in Containers

Container GardeningContainer Gardening

– A World of – A World of

PossibilitiesPossibilitiesWayne Porter

Area Horticulture Agent

Mississippi State University Extension Service

Meridian, MS