Download - Container gardening with script
Container and Patio Gardening
By
Lori Bowling
Boyd County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Outline
• Why container gardening
• Containers, types and requirements
• Potting media
• Plant selection for containers
• Examples
Why container gardening?
• Traditional gardening space is limited or unavailable
• Time for gardening is limited
• Mobility is limited – raised beds and containers, examples of accessible gardening
• Desire to be creative
Why container gardening?
• Garden site is unsuitable for growing the plants you want:– Drainage– Soil conditions– Shade/sun concerns
• Desire for fresh produce
Why container gardening?
• Functional reasons:– As highlights in the landscape– To soften walls and hard scapes– To define space/rooms (walls, ceilings,
framing)– To limit access and provide security
Container gardening concerns
• Maintenance requirement– Watering, two-fold concern– Fertilizing– Grooming
• Decisions regarding containers, growing media, plants and placement will help reduce these concerns
Containers - types
• Can plant in almost any container • Plastics and fiberglass – most popular,
weight, durable, variety• Clay/ceramics – traditional, porous, heavy• Wood – popular, redwood and cedar best• Metal – durable, character, limited
availability, weight
Containers – requirements
• How big?– Size of space– Size of plants– Balance between
container and plants
Containers - requirements
• Drainage– Each container must have at least one
drainage hole– Elevate container slightly to ensure proper
drainage– A few pebbles and charcoal in the bottom of a
pot does not ameliorate poor drainage, drill a hole!
Containers - requirements
• Temperature concerns– Avoid use of black and dark colored
containers in sunny locations, root damage may occur with high soil temperatures
– Protect root zone from cold temperatures of winter, most plant roots are less hardy compared to above ground portion
Potting media
• Requirements:– Must wet easily– Must resist compaction– Must hold water without water-logging– Must retain some nutrients
• These are met by having proper structure
Potting media
• Structure of soil describes the aggregation of soil particles resulting in pore space
• Good structure comes from blending ingredients– Organic components: peat, bark, composted
material– Drainage provided by sand or perlite– Water and nutrients held by vermiculite, calcined
clay, peat, hydrogels
Potting media vs. soil
• If soil is used exclusively as a container medium it will compact: pore space, aeration, and drainage will deteriorate.
• Soil can be used as an amendment in soilless potting mixes. A little soil will enhance water and nutrient holding capacity and improve anchorage of plants.
Potting media – long term use
• Structure of potting media tends to break down over time
• Soil borne diseases tend to build up over time
• Best to replace potting medium each growing season
• Perennials growing in containers must be repotted periodically, replace media
Plant selection
• Plants must be compatible, complementary:– Sun vs. shade– Moisture needs– Foliage textures and
colors– Flower colors, bloom
period
Vegetables
• Popular and practical
• Extend the season with cool season crops
• Use containers as a form of crop rotation to lessen pest pressure
Annuals
• Perhaps the most suitable plants for containers
• Consider needs for maintenance, water requirements, grooming, bloom period
Perennials and trees
• More difficult, require a strategy for over-wintering
• Must divide or repot occasionally to maintain or control vigor
Aquatic plants
Plants in Containers
Questions?