Eric StormerVirginia Cooperative Extension, Norfolk Unit

You can garden almost anywhere!Control growing medium

Easier than gardening in beds; good for people who are physically impairedLow cost/low input

Easy to experience successPlant earlier in spring

PlacePlanPots

Potting “soil”Plants and/or seeds

WaterFertilizer

SOME SUITABLE PLANTS Hardy annuals Half-Hardy annuals Hardy biennials Tender perennials Tender sub-tropicals Hardy perennials or shrubs Bulbs Vegetables

Hardy Annuals

NasturtiumTropaeolum minor

Pot MarigoldCallendula officinalis

Annual PhloxPhlox drummondii

Half-Hardy Annuals

CockscombCelosia cristata

AgeratumA. houstonianum

French MarigoldTagetes patula

ZinniaZ. elegans

Ornamental PepperCapsicum annuum

Hardy Biennials (or short lived perennials grown as biennials)

FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea

Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica

Ornamental KaleBrassica oleracea

HollyhockAlcea rosea

Tender Perennials

CaladiumC. bicolor

English DaisyBellis perennis

Tuberous BegoniaBegonia X tuberhybrida

Zonal GeraniumPelargonium x hortorum

New Guinea ImpatienImpatiens hawkeri

Tender Sub-Tropical Plants

Hardy Perennials and Shrubs

Hardy Perennials and Shrubs

Bulbs Chiondoxa

TulipaCrocus

Narcissus

Muscari

Vegetables and Herbs

Container Tips Choose the right size for the plants you are

growing Disinfect containers by scubbing in 10%

bleach solution prior to planting Season new clay pots by soaking in water for

at least 15 minutes Use styrofoam packing peanuts in the bottom

of large containers to reduce weight and improve drainage

If using light containers, use pea gravel; diminish likelihood of toppling under high winds

Pre-moisten soil prior to use If possible, drainage holes on side of container

Selecting a growing medium – desirable traits

Water and nutrient retention

High porosity to ensure good aeration and root growth

Low bulk density; light and fluffy

Free from pathogens, weed seeds

The Right Soil Commercial mixes (such as “Container Mix”)

Organic Blend (5 gallons finished compost, 1 gallon builder’s sand, 1 gallon vermiculite or perlite, and 1 cup granular all purpose organic fertilizer)

Standard Blend (1 bushel vermiculite, 1 bushel ground sphagnum moss, 8 tbsp. 0-20-0, 8 tbsp. ground limestone, 2 cups bone meal.)

Garden Soil (50% pasteurized garden soil, 25% ground sphagnum peat moss, 25% builder’s sand)

Selecting a growing medium, continued, Avoid using soil from the garden

Avoid using peat moss

Use soilless growing medium containing a blend of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, to which compost 25% compost has been added

Builder’s Sand Peat Moss

Perlite Vermiculite

Water and Nutrients - Considerations

Self-watering containers Water retaining polymers Drip irrigation systems

Watering Tips

Container grown plants generally require more water and nutrients than plants in the ground

Water until all the medium is moist, and water runs out of the drainage holes

Water as necessary Consider using mulch in large containers to

reduce moisture evaporation Cluster containers to minimize moisture loss Avoid using softened water, as it contains

dissolved salts

Nutrients – Some Tips

Consider a slow-release fertilizer

Weekly, water with a diluted (1/2 strength) water soluble fertilizer

Consider the fertilizer as it relates to the plants being grown

Container Gardening

ACHROMATIC COLOR BLACK

ACHROMATIC COLOR WHITE

ACHROMATIC COLOR GRAY

Rich Colors

Muted Colors

Vivid Colors

Pale Colors

Pastel Colors

Some Inspiration!

The End

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