A Potted Garden
May is the month to gather up your seeds that you’ve been saving and plant them in the ground. A time to putter around in your garden in peace, before the heat of summer forces you to stay inside and keep cool. And though my gardening time is limited now that I have a baby, I still manage to prune a few branches or tackle the weeds early in the morning.
When you don’t have the space or the schedule to maintain a garden but you still want a bit of greenery to enjoy, then consider investing in a potted garden. Below are some helpful tips on container gardening.
What to Pot?
Not all plants do well in pots. Even with proper drainage, some plants are more susceptible to root rot. A lot of gardening is trial and error. If you find a plant in the garden nursery and want to pot it, go ahead. There’s a fifty/fifty chance your plant will survive. From my experience, herbs such as mint, chives, and thyme thrive in containers. Perennial flowers like hydrangeas can survive the winter in pots. You can plant flower bulbs of daffodils and tulips in the fall and watch them bloom in the springtime.
Evergreen shrubs and fruit trees need a container twice the size of the actual plant. Citrus plants can be potted but will eventually need to be placed indoors during the winter months. Lush florals like peonies and dahlias can be potted. Unfortunately, roses do better when planted in the ground.
If you have a small budget for flowers, then consider purchasing a hanging plant. Pre-made container plants have been specifically curated to do well in their container. Check your local grocery store before venturing off to Home Depot.
Rule of Thumb
When starting a container garden, use soil that is for potting and not the ground. Potting soil contains perlite that provides oxygen to your plant. Invest in containers with drain holes and a watering can when you don’t feel like dragging the hose to water. Stick a garden flag or pinwheel for a bit of flare. And most importantly have fun planting.
Happy Gardening!
