Master gardener recommends keeping an eye on container plantings
http://www.wnywired.net/sprjrn/journal_main.php3?c [2008-6-30]
Tag : red fishmeal
With our busy schedules and the trend toward gardening in smallerspaces, the popularity of container gardens is on the rise. Thosethat have downsized to an apartment or townhouse can still satisfytheir gardening needs by planting a window box, planter box,hanging basket, or even a collection of pots on the deck, patio ordoor entrance area. The creative gardener may be right at homeplanting in antique bolt boxes, wheelbarrows or, on a smallerscale, recycling an old boot or shoe as a container.
Many have planted and are now enjoying these containers offlowering and foliage plants. We plan to enjoy them throughout thegrowing season. Often we think that the creation of a plantedcontainer is a major accomplishment and there will be little carefor the rest of the summer. Container plants are not free from careand there will still be many of the typical gardening challenges.
It is early in the season and you may want to make adjustments tothe container. If a plant, for example, appears too large and outof scale, remove it and place it somewhere else. If the containerappears to have a gap, consider inserting a filler in that space.If you wish to soften the container edge, work in a spiller tocascade over the rim. Plants added now will have plenty of time toestablish and show good performance in a short time.
Once planted, make it a point to visit and observe your containeron a regular basis. As with the maintenance of a typical garden orlandscape planting, identifying problems at an early stage will putyou in better control of having an attractive container to enjoyfor months to come.
Once planted, watering is probably your most frequent maintenancetask. Because the volume of soil is relatively small, containerscan dry out very quickly. The sun beating down on a concrete patiowhere the container rests, or the container itself, makes the soildry out very rapidly. Daily, or twice daily, watering may be neededfor some types of plants and container types. Terra cottacontainers require more water than acrylic.
In your container inspection, test the need for water by pushingyour finger 1 to 2 inches into the soil. Try to water early in theday and note that the excess water is able to drain from thecontainer. This will assure you that the soil is thoroughly wet,yet the excess water and salts can drain from the container. Do notlet the pot sit in water, as this will cause root rot.
We often think of using mulch in our vegetable and flowerbeds, butthere are similar benefits when added to the surface of containersoil. One inch of finer mulch helps to conserve moisture andrequires less watering on your part. This mulch also helps tostabilize the temperature of the container soil.
If you incorporated a slow release fertilizer in the potting soilat planting time, you may not have to fertilize for the rest of theseason. Time-release fertilizers are generally coated pellets thatgradually dissolve each time you water. They usually last for 3months. Organic time release fertilizer includes fishmeal, rockfertilizers and some composted manures.
Concentrated liquids and powders are a popular choice by gardeners.These types of fertilizers are available in synthetic formulas, ororganic concentrate made from such products as fish emulsion orseaweed extracts. As you use these products, be sure to follow thepackage directions. Often gardeners make the solution half-strengthand use it for each watering.
Granular fertilizers are very inexpensive and used extensively ingardens, lawns and orchards. When used in containers, however,there are cautions. Granules must not touch the plant parts, asthis will burn the plant tissue. Unlike the slow-release formulas,granular fertilizer dissolves into the soil very quickly and isleached out of the soil by watering nearly as fast. Re-applicationmay be necessary after about a dozen good waterings.
When you observe your containers, take along a pair of pruningscissors. Deadheading/deadleafing (removal of dying flowerheads/leaves from a plant) on a daily/weekly basis will make abetter-looking container and often encourage more blooming. Yourjob is much easier if you have self-cleaning plants such asimpatiens, fibrous begonias, angelonia, or many petunias and phlox.
Container plants are not immune to pests that are often found inour gardens. Most common, however, are the following pests to beon guard for and suggestions on their control.
Insecticidal soap, a popular pest control, is availablecommercially, or you can make your own. Mix 1 teaspoon of mildliquid dishwashing detergent (not grease cutting) with 1 quart ofwater in a spray bottle. Coat the undersides as well as the tops ofleaves. Effectiveness of insecticidal soap depends on DIRECTCONTACT with the pest there are no residual effects. Because thisspray may harm some plant leaves, test your spray on a fewinconspicuous leaves before wetting down extensive areas.
With our busy schedules and the trend toward gardening in smallerspaces, the popularity of container gardens is on the rise. Thosethat have downsized to an apartment or townhouse can still satisfytheir gardening needs by planting a window box, planter box,hanging basket, or even a collection of pots on the deck, patio ordoor entrance area. The creative gardener may be right at homeplanting in antique bolt boxes, wheelbarrows or, on a smallerscale, recycling an old boot or shoe as a container.
Many have planted and are now enjoying these containers offlowering and foliage plants. We plan to enjoy them throughout thegrowing season. Often we think that the creation of a plantedcontainer is a major accomplishment and there will be little carefor the rest of the summer. Container plants are not free from careand there will still be many of the typical gardening challenges.
It is early in the season and you may want to make adjustments tothe container. If a plant, for example, appears too large and outof scale, remove it and place it somewhere else. If the containerappears to have a gap, consider inserting a filler in that space.If you wish to soften the container edge, work in a spiller tocascade over the rim. Plants added now will have plenty of time toestablish and show good performance in a short time.
Once planted, make it a point to visit and observe your containeron a regular basis. As with the maintenance of a typical garden orlandscape planting, identifying problems at an early stage will putyou in better control of having an attractive container to enjoyfor months to come.
Once planted, watering is probably your most frequent maintenancetask. Because the volume of soil is relatively small, containerscan dry out very quickly. The sun beating down on a concrete patiowhere the container rests, or the container itself, makes the soildry out very rapidly. Daily, or twice daily, watering may be neededfor some types of plants and container types. Terra cottacontainers require more water than acrylic.
In your container inspection, test the need for water by pushingyour finger 1 to 2 inches into the soil. Try to water early in theday and note that the excess water is able to drain from thecontainer. This will assure you that the soil is thoroughly wet,yet the excess water and salts can drain from the container. Do notlet the pot sit in water, as this will cause root rot.
We often think of using mulch in our vegetable and flowerbeds, butthere are similar benefits when added to the surface of containersoil. One inch of finer mulch helps to conserve moisture andrequires less watering on your part. This mulch also helps tostabilize the temperature of the container soil.
If you incorporated a slow release fertilizer in the potting soilat planting time, you may not have to fertilize for the rest of theseason. Time-release fertilizers are generally coated pellets thatgradually dissolve each time you water. They usually last for 3months. Organic time release fertilizer includes fishmeal, rockfertilizers and some composted manures.
Concentrated liquids and powders are a popular choice by gardeners.These types of fertilizers are available in synthetic formulas, ororganic concentrate made from such products as fish emulsion orseaweed extracts. As you use these products, be sure to follow thepackage directions. Often gardeners make the solution half-strengthand use it for each watering.
Granular fertilizers are very inexpensive and used extensively ingardens, lawns and orchards. When used in containers, however,there are cautions. Granules must not touch the plant parts, asthis will burn the plant tissue. Unlike the slow-release formulas,granular fertilizer dissolves into the soil very quickly and isleached out of the soil by watering nearly as fast. Re-applicationmay be necessary after about a dozen good waterings.
When you observe your containers, take along a pair of pruningscissors. Deadheading/deadleafing (removal of dying flowerheads/leaves from a plant) on a daily/weekly basis will make abetter-looking container and often encourage more blooming. Yourjob is much easier if you have self-cleaning plants such asimpatiens, fibrous begonias, angelonia, or many petunias and phlox.
Container plants are not immune to pests that are often found inour gardens. Most common, however, are the following pests to beon guard for and suggestions on their control.
Insecticidal soap, a popular pest control, is availablecommercially, or you can make your own. Mix 1 teaspoon of mildliquid dishwashing detergent (not grease cutting) with 1 quart ofwater in a spray bottle. Coat the undersides as well as the tops ofleaves. Effectiveness of insecticidal soap depends on DIRECTCONTACT with the pest there are no residual effects. Because thisspray may harm some plant leaves, test your spray on a fewinconspicuous leaves before wetting down extensive areas.
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