Use these container gardening tips for beginners to successfully grow potted plants outdoors.
Bob Stefko
Container gardening for beginners can seem a little daunting at first.
What can you grow in a container?
Credit:Bob Stefko
Where should you put your container garden?
And how big of a container do you need?
Withcontainer gardening, you could venture outside your hardiness zone.
Even citrus trees can be successfully grown in large pots.
Use the right potting mix.
Bargain-priced bagged soil is often of low quality, and your plants will suffer.
Never use soil from your yard.
Stick to potting mix designed for containers.
Drainage is a must.
Lack of drainage is a close second to poor soil as the top reason container plantings fail.
Excess water that stays in the root zone means plant roots cant breathethey need oxygen too.
Soggy soil also creates anaerobic conditions, which foster harmful bacteria and kill off the helpful ones.
Too much moisture in the soil over extended periods oftencauses root rot.
Don’t add rocks to the bottom.
The correct pot size matters.
Most plants in containers are limited by the pot size.
Place plants with similar needs together.
If you plan a multi-species pot, ensure the plants you select thrive in the same conditions.
Most commonly, that means plantingsun-loving plantstogether and not mixing them in the same container withshade-loving plants.
Dont forget to water.
Large potted plants often need to be watered daily in the summer heat.
If it is, its time to water.
Water thoroughly; dont just wet the surface.
Containers can be located next to a deck railing, trellis, or fence for support.
A little twine tied loosely around the stems and to the rail is often all they need.
Pay attention to sun and shade.
Many plants thrive infull sun, but others scorch and burn.
You may need to relocate a pot that is getting too much sun or not enough.
Large containers filled with potting soil and plants can be challenging to move.
Look for containers with wheels or a wheeled plant caddy to simplify the process.
