5 Things You Should Do To Get Ready For Container Gardening Season
Spring is already winding down here in Richmond, Virginia (Zone 7A) and we’ve most likely seen the last of any frost. So if you’ve been waiting to plant your Summer container gardens, your window of opportunity is now OPEN! Here are some tips to make sure you’re ready to plant your pots the moment the mood strikes:
#1 POT PATROL
Make sure your planters are the right scale to fill your space without overwhelming it, and make sure the finish is still in keeping with your outdoor décor, color scheme, and architectural style. Some planters may have faded since you last planted them, or perhaps you painted your house and your planters don’t match the new color scheme.
Pro Tip: A good coat of spray paint goes a long way in rejuvenating a faded pot, or getting your pots to match your new shutter color.
Lastly, check for any major cracks or chips that may look unsightly or compromise the strength of your planter. Replace any planters that won’t enhance your curb appeal or hold up to the weight of wet soil for another full season.
#2 LANDSCAPE CHECK
Think of your landscape as the little black dress of your curb appeal. Then, think of your container gardens as the accessories. You wouldn’t wear pearls with muddy, misshapen khakis, would you? Make sure the foundation plants in your landscape are healthy and tidy, and keep the beds clear of debris and weeds. This will help put your finished container gardens in the best light possible.
Pro Tip: Take note of what will be blooming in your landscape and design your container gardens to include blooms in a complementary color palette.
Landscape Check
Tidy mulch beds, green grass, and a white picket fence make a crisp backdrop for this pair of container gardens.
#3 GEAR UP
Take inventory of last year’s tools and sharpen, repair or replace as needed. I’m passionate about my tools because they save me time and energy. Here’s what I keep in my garden tote:
Tools for Removing Old Roots
A Pruning Saw and a Hori Hori Knife come in handy when I need to carve out old stubborn root balls from prior seasons and break up compacted soil at the bottom of pots..
Drainage Disks
Drain Smart Disks help prevent drainage holes from clogging by physically blocking soil from getting stuck, but still allowing water to filter out. You always want excess water to escape the planters so your roots don’t drown. Any time I plant an empty pot, or can at least get my hands beneath the soil to the bottom of a pot, I place a Drain Smart disk at the very bottom
Pot Feet
Potrisers® are dense little black rubber squares that discreetly sit beneath pots, lifting them off the hardscape and allowing water to escape and air to flow freely. They also help minimize scratches and marks on floor surfaces.
Shears
I always have Petite Shears on hand for trimming stems and flower heads from delicate annuals. My absolute favorite is the Dramm Compact Shear; I love the weight of it in my hand and the short blades are very easy to control. Heavier duty Pruning Shears come in handy for cutting larger stems in your arrangements (ex: roses, hydrangea, boxwood, evergreen boughs, etc.). I also keep plain old Scissors in my bag so I’m not tempted to use my good shears to cut non-plant materials.
Foam Kneeling Pad
These Foam Kneeling Pads are fantastic if you’re planting pots that are below waist level. They allow you to comfortably kneel in front of a pot, saving your back from bending and your knees from leaning into the hard ground. If you plant a lot of pots, this is worth it!
Lightweight Hoses
Xhose lightweight, expandable garden hoses save me SO much time! They’re light enough to keep in my garden tote and simply attach to the closest hose or hose bib. They allow me to move through projects quickly and neatly, watering planters and cleaning off the area around them. I’m going to be very upfront and say that they may tear or burst under pressure, but for me, the convenience and speed are worth the risk..
Dramm’s One Touch Shower & Stream is my favorite sprayer of all time. It has the only 2 settings we container gardeners need: the Shower setting for watering plants and the Stream setting for cleaning up. Dramm sprayers are unique because they’re designed to send a soft, aerated flow of water through the sprayer, so you don’t get that harsh, stinging shower that so many sprayers create. The Shower setting dispenses a gentle, but generous flow of water, and the thumb control allows you to easily change the water pressure. The Stream setting is certainly powerful enough to rinse stubborn dirt, pollen, and yard debris from your work space. Plus, you won’t waste time turning the dial between the typical 9 (NINE!) patterns.
#4 KEEP THESE MATERIALS ON HAND
In addition to a good assortment of basic tools, you should always have good quality potting mix, granular all purpose fertilizer, and water-soluble all purpose fertilizer on hand. That way, when you find the perfect combination of plants and you have the time, you’ll be ready to plant!
When it comes to potting mix, I recommend using a name brand like Miracle-Gro or Espoma Organic that is readily available and consistent. I shy away from generic store brands or other brands I don’t know. Stick with names you know, and always use potting soil as opposed to garden or top soil.
The same holds true for fertilizers. I use Miracle-Gro All Purpose granular fertilizer when I install arrangements, then I follow up with a dose of water-soluble fertilizer every 2 - 4 weeks throughout the Summer. It’s user friendly and keeps our plants happy. Some other well-known brands I’ve used include Osmocote and Jack’s Classic. I’m hoping to try Proven Winners’ fertilizer this year; I love their plants, so I’ll probably love their fertilizer too. Click on each image below to shop:
#5 CONSIDER QUALITY VS. QUANTITY
A few stunning container gardens are preferable to a lot of mediocre arrangements. Container gardens, even the lowest maintenance designs, require attention throughout the season: removing dead stems and flowers, checking and treating for pests, replacing struggling performers, fertilizing, and daily watering in the hottest weeks of the Summer. As you plan your container gardens this year, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Plan for a few stunning arrangements to be placed strategically where they’ll be enjoyed the most. Savor the experience of caring for them, rather than dreading the task.
Less is More
Go for fewer total planters, but make them really magnificent!
Are YOU feeling ready to plant your Summer container gardens? Please leave a comment below!
XO,
Steph
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