Gardening Tips
Not certain what case of container to use in your container garden this season ? There are many selection to choose from , so it can be difficult to pluck if you do n’t know where to start . In this article , Certified Master Gardener Laura Elsner share everything you need to make out about picking the veracious containers for your container garden this time of year .
Contents
If you want to grow an incredible container garden , you need to set forth with a strong foundation . choose plant is leisurely , but you may get flustered trying to find the perfect plant container . From fabric grow bags to metallic element trough to hanging baskets to terra cotta quite a little , the possibilities seem dateless ! Plus , there are many urban legends about certain planter :
We ’ve got all these answers and more . The three most important thing to consider when choosing a stack admit :
Let ’s break down each factor tohelp you choose your perfect containerfor any plant .
Container Material
Planters can be made of nearly anything from charge card to terracotta to metal . You should n’t select a container ground on aesthetics alone . sure jackpot are ideal for specific plants , for instance :
The composition of a container affects soil wet , drain , and aeration . It is also very crucial to consider how a mickle will respond to certain atmospheric condition conditions . Let ’s dig into thepros and cons of the most pop industrial plant containers :
Metal
Repurposed cattle troughs and steel planters grace the terrace of every trendy eating house for a good reason ! alloy planters have a scope of benefits :
The primary worry people have with metal pots is the potential to leach backbreaking metallic element into the grease . In world , timber steel bring up bedsor pots are safely galvanized and seal with solid food - safe paint to prevent leaching risks . Steel pots can protect your soil from compounds leach from charge card or paint wood .
A common concern is that metal can heat up quickly in the sun . Here , this is both a benefit and a downside ! This is a benefit for raised beds ; the dirt keeps the metal from being too warm by acting as an dielectric , and raised beds warm up earlier in the time of year and can extend your maturate prison term . But for a very humble pot , like a decorative 4″ pail - shaped aluminum pot , there ’s not enough soil to act as an dielectric , and it can rapidly get too hot for your plant ’s roots .
Wood
woods is probably the one-time eccentric of planter in the world . While it is mostly used for raised bed , a wooden container can also function as a small windowsill planter or a stand - alone perennial pot .
The pros of wooden plantation owner let in :
The downside to woodwind instrument is , of course of action , conditions and water supply . Sir Henry Joseph Wood course rots . In improver , many avoidwood handle with chemicals or toxic paints . As a solvent , saving becomes a job . Some wood mintage , like cedarwood or redwood , are more decomposition - insubordinate than others .
Some people use an crude oil such as flaxseed oil ( derived from flax ) to provide a minuscule exterior protective cover from the elements . However , this needs to be apply regularly and wo n’t protect the interior where moist soil is in never-ending contact with the wood .
Wooden planters also call for adage , hardware , and/or gum to piece . If you are n’t handy , you may want to prefer for a metal , fiberglass , or clay pot .
Fiberglass
For long - live perennials or continuously set garden beds , fibreglass is one of the best fabric for both indoor and outdoor use . It is lightweight and comes in several embodiment , sizes , and color . This manmade fabric is a blend of resins and whippy fibers .
It does n’t crack in cold weather condition or slicing in the sun . Fiberglass can even mimic other cloth like stone or terracotta , but it is more durable .
Other benefit of fibreglass flora container include :
The main downside to fiberglass is that it heats up quite a bit in the sun . These container arenot great for hot southerly climates .
It alsocosts more . However , these pots are built to last . If you clothe in a fiberglass pot , you could have it for decades .
Terracotta
Terracotta is a Graeco-Roman container material . It ’s a poriferous material that water absorb into . This means you must water your plants more often sincethey will dry out out quicker than other , non - porous materials . This is a incentive if youtend to overwater your plantsor are growing Mediterranean herbs likelavenderandrosemary .
Other benefits of terracotta include :
alas , terracotta pot can be prone to mold and mould if you do n’t clean them on a regular basis . After all , this is a raw earthen material that will give in to weather over time . A simple premix of hydrogen peroxide and water can be used to remove mold from corpse Mary Jane .
Terracotta also has problem in frigid climate . It does not freeze and thaw very well . This stuff is prostrate to crumbling and cracking . It ’s less durable for out-of-door economic consumption . But terracotta is cheap and widely available . Make certain to get the matching saucer to catch excess water .
Fabric (Grow Bags)
Fabric jackpot are a garish and lightweight option ideal for small - outer space container gardens or plants that require to be moved indoors during the winter . Fabric may seem like a strange stuff for a plantation owner , but these woven pots are perfect for both ornamental and edible plants .
The benefit of fabric grow udder include :
The only downside to acquire suitcase is their tendency to rive if overburdened . This material does not go as well for extra large or heavy works . Stitches can only be tailor so warm !
It should also be mention that if you plan on locomote your grow bags indoors , you ’ll involve to provide a shallow tray to catch any runoff wet from lacrimation .
Ceramic
Ceramic sens are a classic choice . They are glaze over and can have beautiful colors and details in them . These sturdy pieces of pottery three-fold - function as works of art in your abode or garden .
Ceramic industrial plant containers are groovy for tropical houseplants that enjoy moist soil . Other welfare include :
The downside ? Ceramic potscan crack and splitif they stop dead and thaw too much . They also can bevery heavy and fragile .
Plastic
Plastic often gets a tough rep , but these flock surpass in affordability and lastingness . I ’m not talking about plastic nursery pots , although you’re able to practice those too . Plastic containers make out in a lot of different sizes , shapes , and people of color . They also can mimic many other materials , like stone or terracotta .
The benefits of credit card pots admit :
The chief drawback of credit card is its potentiality to strip chemicals like BPA into your soil . If you are using charge card pots outside , they are also prostrate to fading in the sun . They also can crock up and chip in areas with cold winter or after years of hot summertime .
Container Size
The ideal sizing of your plant life container will differ depend on whether it ’s for houseplant or outdoor plants .
Outdoor
It would be best to opt for larger muckle for outside plants whenever potential .
The main reason is water system . Outdoor plant tend to dry out more quick . A little pot might have to be watered multiple metre a day in the heat of the summer . In contrast , the dirt in a large pot absorbs more piss and remain moist longer .
Another reason is overwintering . If you design on overwinter works outside in pots , larger quite a little work well as they are less susceptible to unremitting freeze / thaw than a modest potbelly . Science shows that alarge pot can well regulate soil temperature .
Indoor
Indoor plants incline to do substantially in smaller pots , most specifically pots that jibe the size of it of the root ball . You only need to go about 3 - 4″ larger than the diameter of the plant ’s current commode .
This might seem counterintuitive since a plant grown in its aboriginal conditions would have unlimited soil outer space . But in a shut system like a container , too much dirt will conduce to less piss assimilation . This will create ideal conditions for harmful bacteria that cause root rot to thrive .
If you plant an indoor plant in an oversized container , be very mindful of tearing . Excess water system wo n’t enfeeble out the bottom as easily . Instead , it will get absorb by the supernumerary grease . This can be particularly problematic with succulents .
If you want a orotund pot for an chemical element of design , I suggest using a liner so you ’re not using as much soil . or else , keep the plant in its nursery batch and place it in a decorative container . Never permit your container sit in a pond of piss if you ’re using a decorative container !
Design
intention is a matter of personal predilection , so you should always slant toward a container you love . Here is some of my advice in terms of container design .
There are two unlike angles when it comes to plants and container :
Intricacy
If you choose a really intricate container , you might want a simple flora to highlight the container . A unproblematic majesty palm might expect great with a beautiful ceramic container full of swirl and details .
Another example of an intricate container is a head plantation owner . These are very popular ; the plant life acts as the ‘ hair ’ growing from the pot .
On the other hand , if you pick out an intricate plant , you may require to keep the container design simpleton . This includesflowering plants like hoyasandAfrican violet . It also includes plant with alien foliage like flame nettle or begonias . A simple potty in a solid color adds a minimalist , classical dialect .
Color
For out-of-door containers , deliberate your environs as well as your plants . I hump when outdoor planter in front of the house pair the doorway or the accent pillows on the patio article of furniture . you’re able to also take achromatic pots and let the colorful peak smoothen .
Height
An important technological consideration is height . marvellous containers can be stunning garden accents but are n’t suited for all plant life . If you plant a tall industrial plant in a light passel , it might be top - heavy and topple over . A tall container with short flora will see out of balance . Ideally , choosetaller plantsfor great , deep containers .
Drainage
No matter your container ’s size , shape , or textile , you need drain ! I ca n’t accentuate this enough . Piling rocks on the bottom is not considered drain . turgid drain yap are ideal for drain excess water . If your stack is for a houseplant , purchase a bottom dish tray for supernumerary body of water to drain into .
If your container lacks a drainage hollow , you’re able to practise one into it . Use a ceramic drill spot for terracotta and ceramic pots . Some garden centers will do this for you . Optionally , you may also apply a liner . exit your plant in its nursery container , and then you may rain buckets out excess urine as want .
Final Thoughts
Choosing your container is just as important as take the plant itself . It needs to be running as well as beautiful . Consider all thepros and cons of each containerbefore purchasing one . Take your meter to settle .
