Bernard Armstrong
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Popularity grows for flexible, mobile style of gardening in containers
By Bernard Armstrong, Extension Master Gardener
Have you ever admired a plant in a nursery or catalog and thought to yourself, “I wish I could grow that in my yard.” Well, you can.
Tree, shrub, flower, vegetable, herb, ornamental grass or water plants, all of these are suitable for growing in containers. Container gardening has been growing in popularity for the past several years as people have become more aware of its advantages. Containers allow you the flexibility of growing plants in areas where a traditional garden is difficult. Containers also allow you to experiment with more plants and optimize environmental conditions.
Another advantage is mobility. Plants in containers can be easily moved. If you need more color by your front door, you can accomplish this by using select plantings that accent your homes style or decor. Containers can also be changed out to reflect the changing seasons, allowing you to have constant bloom or fresh plantings in selected areas.
Pest control is much easier in containers. If you have a problem, you can move the plant to an isolated spot for treatment or if you desire, you can change out the plant.
Containers also allow you to introduce an additional element of color and design by selecting from the many container styles available today. The grouping, spacing or combinations of different containers can add a different dimension to your landscape. In selecting a container, the first thing you should consider is size. Simply put, the bigger the pot, the better your plants will do and the less watering and maintenance are required. A 14-inch container is the minimum size I would use given our Kansas climate conditions.
The next consideration is the material of the container. You can select from clay, ceramic, plastic, wood or fiberglass. Clay and ceramics can be quite heavy and difficult to move. Plastic or fiberglass are lighter and require less watering and maintenance.
Clay or terra cotta containers will also have to be brought indoors over winter to prevent freeze damage. The one element, however, that all containers must have is drainage holes in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to escape and for the soil to retain adequate oxygen for plant life. The exception, of course, is if you want to grow water plants.
Your next consideration is the soil or planting mix. There are numerous potting mixes available in the market place, that are both lightweight and moisture retentive. I generally add about 20 percent of small pine bark nuggets to the potting mix to allow for better drainage and soil aeration. Garden soil should not be used or added to container potting mixes. This takes us to one of the myths of planting in containers — placing gravel, pot shards or foam peanuts in the bottom of the pot for better drainage. Almost every book you can find on container gardening will advocate this practice. Don’t do this!
Research has determined that these differing materials actually form a barrier to the passage of water, and the larger the difference, the greater the barrier. Fill your container entirely with your potting soil.
Now we come to the fun part — plant selection. While trees, shrubs and some perennials may not achieve the full growth they would demonstrate in a normal garden planting, many are quite suitable for container planting. Containers also allow you a much greater plant selection as the more tender plants can be stored in your garage or basement over winter. If containers are to be left out over winter successfully, the plant should be hardy to one or two climate zones colder than our growing zone. While there is much current discussion over whether our area is still zone 5, or over the last few years has changed to zone 6, most zone 4 plants will survive quite well. If in doubt, try it — experiment with some new plants. Plant lists, combinations and design can be found at several Web sites or from the Extension Office. Your public library is always a good source for container gardening as well.
If you need further assistance, the Extension Master Gardener Hotline, (913-294-4306), is now open from 9 a.m. until noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for both phone calls and walk-in assistance. Our new address is 104 S. Brayman St. in Paola on the Ursuline Grounds.
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Tree, shrub, flower, vegetable, herb, ornamental grass or water plants, all of these are suitable for growing in containers. Container gardening has been growing in popularity for the past several years as people have become more aware of its advantages. Containers allow you the flexibility of growing plants in areas where a traditional garden is difficult. Containers also allow you to experiment with more plants and optimize environmental conditions.
Another advantage is mobility. Plants in containers can be easily moved. If you need more color by your front door, you can accomplish this by using select plantings that accent your homes style or decor. Containers can also be changed out to reflect the changing seasons, allowing you to have constant bloom or fresh plantings in selected areas.
Pest control is much easier in containers. If you have a problem, you can move the plant to an isolated spot for treatment or if you desire, you can change out the plant.
Containers also allow you to introduce an additional element of color and design by selecting from the many container styles available today. The grouping, spacing or combinations of different containers can add a different dimension to your landscape. In selecting a container, the first thing you should consider is size. Simply put, the bigger the pot, the better your plants will do and the less watering and maintenance are required. A 14-inch container is the minimum size I would use given our Kansas climate conditions.
The next consideration is the material of the container. You can select from clay, ceramic, plastic, wood or fiberglass. Clay and ceramics can be quite heavy and difficult to move. Plastic or fiberglass are lighter and require less watering and maintenance.
Clay or terra cotta containers will also have to be brought indoors over winter to prevent freeze damage. The one element, however, that all containers must have is drainage holes in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to escape and for the soil to retain adequate oxygen for plant life. The exception, of course, is if you want to grow water plants.
Your next consideration is the soil or planting mix. There are numerous potting mixes available in the market place, that are both lightweight and moisture retentive. I generally add about 20 percent of small pine bark nuggets to the potting mix to allow for better drainage and soil aeration. Garden soil should not be used or added to container potting mixes. This takes us to one of the myths of planting in containers — placing gravel, pot shards or foam peanuts in the bottom of the pot for better drainage. Almost every book you can find on container gardening will advocate this practice. Don’t do this!
Research has determined that these differing materials actually form a barrier to the passage of water, and the larger the difference, the greater the barrier. Fill your container entirely with your potting soil.
Now we come to the fun part — plant selection. While trees, shrubs and some perennials may not achieve the full growth they would demonstrate in a normal garden planting, many are quite suitable for container planting. Containers also allow you a much greater plant selection as the more tender plants can be stored in your garage or basement over winter. If containers are to be left out over winter successfully, the plant should be hardy to one or two climate zones colder than our growing zone. While there is much current discussion over whether our area is still zone 5, or over the last few years has changed to zone 6, most zone 4 plants will survive quite well. If in doubt, try it — experiment with some new plants. Plant lists, combinations and design can be found at several Web sites or from the Extension Office. Your public library is always a good source for container gardening as well.
If you need further assistance, the Extension Master Gardener Hotline, (913-294-4306), is now open from 9 a.m. until noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for both phone calls and walk-in assistance. Our new address is 104 S. Brayman St. in Paola on the Ursuline Grounds.