26 may 2014 | thecurrenthub.com
HOME
(
MAKE IT A CONTAINER GARDEN MONTH By Nancy Wallace
Nothing is prettier than a spring garden in Georgia. Winter is a distant memory and the month of May provides a perfect opportunity to get the garden in order before summer heat arrives. When I think of May, I think of container gardens, window boxes, and hanging baskets. They are fun and easy to put together, and satisfy that craving for “instant gratification.” Garden centers are bursting this time of year with flowers, foliage and ferns. So how do you get started? Here’s an idea: come up with a “theme garden” this year. Maybe you have favorite color combinations, like I do. Try choosing plants with similar foliage and flower colorations, like this container garden I created for a shady porch. I love the combination of pink and green and the brownish-bronze of various foliage plants. Pictured at right: pink begonias, golden acorus grass, Fittonia ‘Juanita’ and Dichondra ‘Silver Falls.’ With Mother’s Day on the horizon, a container garden would make a special do-it-yourself gift for Mom. Keep some things in mind when creating container gardens for summer months. First, when picking out new planters, go big! Larger planters will hold more dirt, more plants, more water, and make a greater impact wherever they are placed. Group them together for easy care and maintenance. Container gardens are the jewels that adorn the front porch, so dress it up and be bold. Secondly, and it may seem obvious, but keep planters “properly” irrigated. Containers in full sun and direct wind will need water daily, while those in a shady location won’t require as much water. Lack of water will cause rapid plant deterioration and invite pests and disease into the environment. Once installed, summer container gardens will last through October if properly watered and maintained. Lastly, don’t forget to fertilize. I use an organic cow manure tea to hydrate the roots of my container gardens. Healthy root systems create bigger, healthier plants with better bloom production. Container gardens lose nutrients faster than plants grown in the ground, because the water passes through the soil more quickly, draining away essential “macronutrients” (N-P-K). Visit the garden center and ask about the best products for your containers, and follow a regimen to keep them healthy throughout the summer. Are you growing herbs and vegetables in your garden? Many of these can be grown in containers or small flowerbeds, so don’t think you need an acre to grow your own food. Sunny decks and patios make the perfect spot for tomatoes, herbs, and peppers. Look for vegetable varieties marked
Container gardens are the jewels that adorn the front porch, so dress it up and be bold.