Homestead Gardens Container Gardening Booklet

container gardening

A DIY Gardening Guide with Homestead Gardens designed by Rachel Edler & the Homestead Gardens Marketing Team

Photo Credits Proven Winners: Proven Winners - www.ProvenWinners.com cover, pages 2, 4-9, 12-14, 18-21, 23-26, and 31-32 Proven Winners Color Choice - www.ProvenWinners.com Star Roses and Plants: page 28, Bushel and Berry - www.BushelAndBerry.com page 15, KnockOut Roses - www.KnockOutRoses.com Shutterstock: www.Shutterstock.com pages 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39

table of contents 2 Why Grow in Containers?

4 Flowering Annuals

10 The Perfect Pot for Every Plant

12 Shrubs

17 Soil Selection

18 Pollinator Plants

22 Container Gardening: 101

24 Herbs & Veggies

28 Fruit & Citrus

30 Flowering Tropicals

34 Bonsai

38 Cacti & Succulents

42 Evergreens

44 Fertilizing & Feeding

40 How Much Potting Mix?

NOTE: Individual store selection varies by location and season and may not include the items featured in this guide.

Container Gardening Guide 1

Why

grow in containers?

2 Container Gardening Guide

Container Gardens: > Fit into small or unusual gardening spaces.

> Bring color and variety to your landscape.

> Add curb appeal to pools, patios and porches. > Offer low maintenance and easy gardening.

> Make sheltering summer blooming bulbs in the offseason a quick, tidy job.

You can grow almost anything in containers!

Flowering annuals, edibles, shrubs, flowering tropicals, bonsai–even some perennials–grow well in a myriad of containers from pottery to grow bags.

Flip through the pages of this guide to find inspiration and easy instructions that will help make your container gardening project successful.

Still need help? Homestead Gardens experts are here to assist you, from plant and pest questions to choosing the right container for your plants.

Because life should be beautiful.

Container Gardening Guide 3

Container Recipes featuring f lowering annuals 4 Container Gardening Guide

Thriller: Variegated Red

Fountain Grass x1

Spiller (s ): Calibrachoa x2

Petunia x2 Fan Flower x1 pot: 12 inch

tip:

Choose plants that like the same soil composition and share similar light and watering needs.

Thriller: White Butterfly

Flower x1

Filler: Bidens x2 Filler: Spiller (s ): Calibrachoa x2

Verbena x2 pot: 12 inch

Container Gardening Guide 5

Filler: Lobelia x2 Spiller (s ): Calibrachoa x2

Verbena x1 basket: 12 inch

Recipes for sun Filler: Nemesia x2 Filler: Spiller (s ): Petunia, Red x1

Petunia, Yellow x2 pot: 12 inch

tip:

Learn more about how to design a container garden using the Thriller Filler - Spiller method. Turn to Container Gardening: 101 on page 22.

6 Container Gardening Guide

Spiller (s ): Calibrachoa x2

Petunia x2 Sweet Potato Vine x1 pot: 12 inch

Part Sun to Full sun 4+ hrs. direct sunlight each day.

Thriller: Persian Shield x1 Filler: Cuphea x1 Filler:

Spiller: Licorice Plant x1 Spiller: pot: 12 inch

Container Gardening Guide 7

Filler: Torenia, white x2 Spiller (s ): Torenia, blue x2

Sweet Potato Vine x1 pot: 12 inch

Recipes for shade Filler(s ): Double Impatiens x2

Euphorbia x2 pot: 14 inch

tip:

Plant tags are critical.

They will tell you how big your plant will get, what shape it will 8 Container Gardening Guide

Thriller: Coleus x1

Filler: Double Impatiens x2 Filler: Spiller (s ): Coleus x2

Sweet Potato Vine x2 pot: 16 inch Part Shade: 4-6 hrs Full Shade: < 4 hrs direct sunlight per day

T hriller(s ): Caladium x1 Coleus x1 Filler: Double Impatiens x1 Filler: pot: 12 inch

mature into, how much light, water, and food it needs, and how much care it requires.

Container Gardening Guide 9

the

Perfect Pot

Gardening in containers is fun because you can use anything from an antique urn, to a boot, to a fountain, tub or birdbath! But did you know that not all pots are created equal?

The type of container you use may impact how you care for your plants. > Terracotta and wood are porous by nature, and you may need to water your plants more often. > Plastic posts are non-porous, so overwatering might lead to damp or rotting roots. > Fiberglass planters are by nature quite lightwight, and make moving your plants much easier.

Glazed ceramic upright pot Root Pouch Fabric Pot

Glazed ceramic strawberry pot

10 Container Gardening Guide

for every plant Whichever pot you choose for your plant, make sure you have plenty of drainage. Many pots do not come with holes in the bottom where water or moisture can run off. In this case, use a drill bit to create an opening. A good rule of thumb is to drill one good-sized hole for every gallon of planting medium in the pot.

tip:

Need help with day-to-day watering?

Going on vacation? We recommend Plant Nanny - a stake that slowly releases water from your recycled wine bottles deep into the soil and directly to the root system.

Classic terra cotta pot

Urbalive self-watering flower box

Container Gardening Guide 11

Container Gardening with s hrubs

12 Container Gardening Guide

Planting shrubs in containers allows them to be moved around and regrouped to make your display more dynamic depending on the season.

tip:

Shrubs can provide gorgeous blooms, color and height to your container, but will need to be transferred into a more permanent place in your landscape before winter.

Thriller: Let’s Dance® Blue Jangles® Hydrangea Spiller (s ): Verbena Petunia pot: 19 inch

Container Gardening Guide 13

Shrubs for Containers: > Buddleia hybrids

> dwarf Rhododendron

> Hydrangea arborescens > Aucuba japonica

> Bluebeard Caryopteris x clandonensis > Patio Roses

> Thuja occidentalis

> Buxus sinica ‘Wee Willie’

> Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’

Rhododendron x

Buddleia x

Rosa sp.

14 Container Gardening Guide

Container Gardening Guide 15

Potting soil carefully formulated from natural ingredients to provide an ideal balance between water retention, texture, drainage and aeration in a consistent growing medium.

Check out other Wicked Organic soils & fertilizers by Coast of Maine available at Homestead Gardens.

S oil Selection

Did you know that container soils are often referred to as “soil-less”, because they actually contain no soil at all? Typically, container soil is a combination of natural elements like peat, vermiculite, bark, or coir fiber. Soils for containers need to be well aerated and well drained while still being able to retain enough moisture for plant growth.

Are you planting citrus, cactus or succulents, herbs and veggies, or flowers? Each of these plants likes different combinations of natural elements in their soil recipe! Visit our stores for a wide range of soils designed for your specific container gardening need.

When choosing a growing medium for containers, never use garden soil. It might contain weeds or pests, and will impede drainage and aeration. Plants will grow poorly or not at all.

tip:

Some potting mixes contain slow-release fertilizer, which is an added bonus. We recommend Maryland Select Potting Soil which is also available as an organic blend.

Container Gardening Guide 17

Container Recipes pollinator plants

featuring

18 Container Gardening Guide

What’s the big deal about pollinators ?

We can thank birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife that pollinate plants for 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat.

Pollinating plants are essential to human survival and the planet. These beneficial plants: > provide countless fruits, veggies & nuts and half of the our oils, fibers & raw materials. > prevent soil erosion and increase carbon sequestration.

Thriller: Salvia Filler(s ): Cuphea, Lantana Spiller: Petunia

Container Gardening Guide 19

Thriller: Salvia x1

Filler: Gomphrena x2

Lantana x1 pot: 12 inch

Thriller: Butterfly Flower x1 Filler: Petunia x2 Filler: Spiller (s ): Licorice Plant x2

Fan Flower x2 pot: 12 inch

20 Container Gardening Guide

tip: When planting to attract pollinators, choose native varieties with irresistable blooms like the following...

> > > > > > > >

Black-eyed Susan Blanket flower Catmint Coneflower Cosmos Gerbera Hyssop Lantana

>

> > > > > > >

Thriller: Red Hot Poker x1 Filler: Lantana x1 Filler:

Spiller: Sweet Potato Vine x2 pot: 12 inch

Container Gardening Guide 21

Lavender Lupine Red Hot Poker Salvia Sedum Sunflower Thyme Verbena

container gardening Your container garden requires a short shopping list, made longer only by your imagination and creativity... here are things to consider before digging in.

1. Choose the perfect pot (see pg. 10 for tips)

2. Choose your soil (see pg. 17 for tips) and fill your 2. container until it’s an inch below the rim .

3. Make a plan – follow the recipes throughout this guide or simply use them as a starting point! Our experts recommend using the Thriller - Filler Spiller Method when designing your container and choosing plants.

4. Water your container garden with a good soaking in the morning. You may need to water twice per day in extreme heat. Water near the roots, not over the foliage.

5. Fertilize and feed your plants (see pg. 40 for tips)

22 Container Gardening Guide

Thriller

Plants with height that add drama and a vertical element.

Can be flowering or foliage plants or ornamental grasses.

Plant in the center of the pot if it will be viewed from all sides.

Plant in the back if it will be viewed from only one side.

Filler

Plants that are more rounded or mounded to make the container look full.

Generally placed in front of, or around, the Thriller variety.

These should be planted midway between the edge of the container and the Thriller variety.

Container Gardening Guide 23

Spiller

Trailing plants that hang over the edge of the planter.

Plant close to the edge of the container.

Plant on all sides if the pot will be viewed from all sides.

Plant in the front if it will be viewed from only one side.

Container Gardening featuring herbs + veggies 24 Container Gardening Guide

Thriller: Tomato (snack size) x2 Basil x3 Filler: English Marigold x3 Filler: pot: 22” box

tip: Marigolds and tomatoes

are good garden buddies with similar growing conditions. Plus, the flowers repel pests and reduce root-knot nematodes in soil.

T hriller(s ): Tomato (med/slicer) x1 Basil x1 Filler(s ): Cherry Tomato x2 English Marigold x1 pot: 16 inch

Container Gardening Guide 25

Thriller: Basil x1 Spiller (s ): Calibrachoa x2

Sutera cordata x1 pot: 12 inch

tip:

Flowers can be planted with edibles to help attract beneficial insects.

Although many vegetables are selfpollinating, the presence of pollinators will help the plant produce stronger, healthier, and tastier fruits.

T hriller(s ): Salvia x1

Basil x1

Filler: Strawberry x1 Filler:

Spiller: Calibrachoa x1 Spiller:

pot: 18 inch

26 Container Gardening Guide

Many vegetables actually do really well in containers. By choosing the right plants, you can grow a fair amount of food in just a few large pots! > tomatoes

> bell peppers

> kale

> spinach

> eggplant

compact varieties

> bush cucumbers > radishes

> bush beans

> hot peppers > summer squash

Most herbs will grow in pots, but among the best for container gardening are: > basil

> parsley

> rosemary

> chives

> mint

> thyme

> oregano > cilantro

tip:

> sage

> lavender > tarragon

> lemon verbena

Since you’ll be eating these herbs and veggies, organic potting soil is a must!

Container Gardening Guide 27

Container Gardening with fruit + citrus 28 Container Gardening Guide

In addition to strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, did you know that Homestead Gardens carries a wide array of lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit perfectly suited to growing in containers?

Browse Homestead Gardens’ nursery yard for compact fruiting shrubs in a range of exciting berry types and flavors perfect for growing in containers.

tip:

Purchase soil and fertilizer formulated specifically for citrus. We recommend Espoma® Citrus-tone®, a long-lasting, slow release fertilizer that helps grow larger and more flavorful fruit.

Container Gardening Guide 29

featuring

Container Recipes f lowering tropicals

30 Container Gardening Guide

tip:

Tropical plants are perfect for adding bold colors and unique textures to any container. Growing in containers gives you the flexibility of moving your living decor around as needed. Plus, tropicals in containers add a bit of paradise to any outdoor room!

T hriller(s ): Canna generalis x2

Coleus x2

Filler(s ): Impatiens x2

Lantana x2

pot: 14 inch

Container Gardening Guide 31

tip:

Many tropical plants or their bulbs can be brought inside during the winter if you want to save them. To make them easier to relocate, plant in lightweight containers.

Thriller: Mandevilla x1

Filler: Sedum mexicanum x3 Filler: pot: 12 inch

32 Container Gardening Guide

transform your patio into a

tropical paradise with our incredible selection of fantastic foliage and flowering plants...Fresh from Florida!

Container Gardening Guide 33

Container Gardening with bonsai 34 Container Gardening Guide

What is bonsai anyway?

Bonsai is a Japanese word for “tree in a tray or pot”. Bonsai can be any tree that is shaped by pruning the branches and roots.

Good specimens include nursery plants, trees such as maples, evergreens or deciduous trees, shrubs, and even perennial bloomers like azaleas, crabapples, or wisteria. You can find all of the plants at Homestead Gardens to grow your own bonsai!

Container Gardening Guide 35

Tips for Potting Bonsai: Remove dead branches and any branches that distract from the vision you have for your tree.

Remove any dead roots and any large roots that will interfere with potting. Position the plant in the pot, and work soil in around the roots. Top the soil with gravel or moss, and water well.

Rhododendron Juniperus

36 Container Gardening Guide

growing success starts in the soil

Available in bulk and exclusive to Homestead Gardens 25 lb. bags!

Bloom®, a soil amendment rich in organic matter, is ideal for improving water holding capacity and overall soil structure. It is also an excellent source of both macro- and micro-nutrients.

tip: Uniformly blend 10% Bloom into a standard growing media. Place in pot and plant, then water.

Container Gardening Guide 37

Container Gardening cacti + succulents

with

38 Container Gardening Guide

Build & Maintain a Terrarium: > terrarium glass

> Moss, gravel, rocks > activated charcoal > Espoma Organic® Cactus Mix

> Espoma Organic® Cactus! Succulent Plant Food Seedum

tip: Succulents should be planted in shallow soil and protected from root rot, caused by overwatering.

Thriller: Zebra Haworthia Filler(s ): Echeveria

Crassula

Moss decor: pea gravel pinecones sticks

Container Gardening Guide 39

How Much Potting Mix Will You Need?

8” - 4 Qts.

20” - 1 cu ft

10” - 8 Qts.

24” - 1.5 cu ft

12” - 16 Qts.

30” - 2.5 cu ft

14” - 16 Qts.

24” Window Box 1 cu ft

16” - 1cu ft 19” - 1 cu ft

36” Window Box 1.5 cu ft

tip: When in doubt, get an extra bag!

The soil won’t go bad.

40 Container Gardening Guide

Maryland Select ORGANIC POTTING SOIL

100% Organic & OMRI listed | Enhanced with worm castings to increase soil biology | Sustainable, earthfriendly ingredients | Locally produced exclusively for Homestead Gardens Container Gardening Guide 41

Container Gardening with evergreens 42 Container Gardening Guide

Evergreens grow well in containers and can be moved around to fit your needs. When evergreens outgrow their containers, you can repot them in larger pots or plant them in the ground.

Best

tall

specimens:

Best

short

specimens:

> Arborvitae

> Dwarf mugo pine

> ‘Hicks’ yew

> ‘Little Giant’ dwarf arborvitae

> Italian cypress > ‘Skyrocket’ juniper

> Dwarf blue spruce

Water - You may think that evergreens are low maintenance when it comes to water, but when planted in a pot they need attention in the form of consistency.

Since evergreens growing in pots are more prone to drying out, the use of an anti-desiccant spray may also help reduce moisture loss.

Mulch - Mulch the soil with woodchips to help hold soil moisture and deflect the sun’s heat.

Sunlight - Extreme temperature fluctuations can shock your evergreen container plants. To combat this, placing pots in partially shady areas where they won’t be warmed by the sun and then shocked by decreasing night temperatures is a great strategy for long-lived evergreens.

Container Gardening Guide 43

Fertilizing & Feeding

While many plants will do fine with little or no plant food, if you want them to reach their full growth potential, they will need the correct nutrition.

Remember: more doesn’t mean better. It is possible to harm your plants by feeding too heavily. Make sure you only apply when plants are actively growing and follow the instructions on the packaging.

> Water Soluble Fertilizer is mixed with water, according to the directions on the package, and is normally applied every 7-14 days while you water. > Slow Release Fertilizer will release into the soil every

time you water, feeding your plants. The best thing is that one application lasts about 4 months!

44 Container Gardening Guide

The industry standard for slow-release plant food.

Available at Homestead Gardens

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$10

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46 Container Gardening Guide

Container Gardening Guide 47

with any Bloom Bagged Soil purchase

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