Contain Yourself!

Container gardens and raised beds provide creative, changeable, portable ways to plant.

by Mary Kay Woodworth, Atlanta Home Magazine

April 2004

Are you one of those people who fills the flowerpots by your front door with bright red geraniums once springtime’s warm weather arrives? Is Labor Day the designated planting date for fall chrysanthemums decorating the front stoop? Once those blossoms fade, do you rip them out and replace them with colourful pansies to brighten up the porch during the cold winter months? In many households, that’s what gardening is all about!

It’s been estimated that 85 percent of American families participate in some type of gardening activity—making gardening the No. 1 outdoor leisure activity in the United States. In our hustle-and-bustle society, this rapidly growing pastime can be the source of great personal satisfaction, aesthetic pleasure and relief from everyday stress.

While many gardeners choose to design and plant large flower-filled landscapes and substantial vegetable gardens, planting flowers, fruits and vegetables in containers and raised beds (a contained garden area built up above the ground) is rapidly becoming the “gardening” of choice for millions of Americans. The popularity of container and raised-bed gardening increases every year—and it’s much more than just placing a pot of geraniums by the front door.

Plant Placement (Source: Callaway Enterprises’ Rocky Branch Garden Centre and Bennett Design & Landscape)
• Container gardens can act as borders for walkways or to define wider spaces, such as a lawn.
• Entryways are made more welcoming when flanked by attractive urns, each containing one tall foliage-filled plant with colourful flowers surrounding it.
• Line an outdoor stairway with seasonal colour mixed with herbs to introduce colour and texture to an otherwise boring hardscape.
• Window boxes spilling over with trailing foliage can help to create interesting appeal.
• You can use containers as screens to hide an eyesore like piping or the foundation of an old shed.
• Container groupings of varied sizes and shapes in the corners of your patio soften visual boundaries and draw the eye upward, away from pavement or gravel.
• Wherever you have an empty space, it can be adorned with a planter.

Why the increased interest in gardening in containers and raised beds? There are many advantages to planting in planters, pots, containers and raised beds. There’s no limit to the flexibility and creativity afforded to you with this type of gardening. Simply moving individual pots of flowers and plants to different locations can completely change the look of your garden spot. Busy homeowners and families may love the pleasure that gardening brings, but just don’t have the time to devote to a large garden plot. Apartment, condominium and loft living provides limited (or no) space for a traditional garden, and container gardening is a perfect solution. Gardening in containers and raised beds provides options to people who may have disabilities or are elderly. Another benefit of gardening in containers and raised beds is that you can control the soil—an advantage if you’ve got bad or problem soil. So, how do you get started with container and raised-bed gardening? Let’s start with the basics:

First, you need something to place your plants in
Almost any object that will hold soil can be used for container gardening. Whether it’s a fine Italian terra cotta vessel, an old wooden whiskey barrel or an inexpensive plastic pot, the single most important feature for successful container gardening is good drainage. Plants (with the exception of aquatic plants) cannot survive if their roots are drowning. If the container doesn’t have drainage holes, drill or cut holes into the bottom. If this is not possible, insert a smaller, planted container (with good drainage features) into the decorative bowl, making sure that it is elevated so that the roots of the plants will not sit in water. Also, a planter with no tray elevated on “feet” or small blocks is helpful, to enable drainage and protect the surface where the pot rests.

When selecting a container for planting, there are infinite options available. Concrete and painted and glazed ceramic pots are popular. Wire baskets lined with moss are nice choices. Classic terra cotta is versatile and inexpensive, but can dry out quickly. Also, terra cotta may crack in freezing temperatures. A wide range of plastic pottery, many that mimic classic clay, is available in all colours, styles and textures. Remember, though, that you get what you pay for. The cheaper plastics will quickly fade and deteriorate from UV exposure, and become brittle and crack. A higher quality plastic will be more expensive, but it will perform well for many years.

Gaining popularity are resin and fibreglass planters. Resembling concrete, clay and stone, these containers are extremely durable, yet much lighter than those made of traditional materials. The detailed molds and excellent production quality of these planters will fool you—until you touch them or pick them up, you won’t be able to tell the difference! These planters are excellent for those gardening on balconies or decks, due to their reduced weight—but be careful when planting small containers, since they’re apt to tip over on a windy day.

 Tips for Selecting a Container (Source: Callaway Enterprises’ Rocky Branch Garden Centre and Bennett Design & Landscape)

• Choose container types, colours and sizes that complement your home.
• Containers have to be roomy enough for the plant’s roots to grow.  Because they grow and die in one season, annuals can be grown in less durable, temporary containers, while trees and shrubs require larger and sturdier containers.
• Use containers that are formal or informal, but be selective when mixing the two styles. Classic containers are replicated from 18th- and 19th-century Europe and Asia and usually take the forms of stone or cast stone vases, urns, and oval or square boxes. Informal containers include wooden barrels, ceramic bowls, and stone troughs or weaved baskets.
• Either match or contrast them with outdoor walls, furniture and plantings.
Incorporate wall containers and hanging baskets of cascading plants where structures allow for clearance and ample support. Line your open-bottomed baskets with absorbent sphagnum moss.
• Wooden boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Painted or varnish-treated exterior-grade wood is best for outside planters, and be sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom of each.
• Galvanized metal containers dull over time, but will not rust, making them ideal for outdoor use. These containers are often featured in contemporary settings because of their clean lines and modern design.
• Terra cotta containers come in a wide variety of styles and are the No. 1 choice of many gardeners, although they tend to crack or discolour when left in the severe cold. Make sure to use planter feet, and place a layer of rocks in the bottom for aeration.
• Synthetic material containers have improved in appearance and can be used as reproductions of terracotta, stone and wood. They have the advantage of being durable, lightweight and inexpensive.
• Almost any container made of metal, stone, concrete and even synthetics can serve as a water garden. There are many floating plant varieties that sit directly in the water and call for little to no care.

Trendy hypertufa is a mixture of cement, sand and peat moss that can be fashioned into a container of any size or shape imaginable. The finished product looks like old, weathered stone, and is a magnificent object to plant in. Purchased at a nursery centre, these troughs and pots are very expensive—but are easy to mix and build by the handy gardener.

Wooden planters are another traditional choice, and can easily be built to fit any area. Redwood and cedar tend to resist rot better than other woods, and do not require painting and staining, making them excellent choices. If using other woods, use non-toxic stain, paint or waterproofer to extend the life of the wood.

If you are planning a raised-bed gardening area, there are many suitable building materials. Stone, concrete, bricks and wood are excellent choices for the frames of raised beds. Creating a raised bed from salvaged materials, such as a broken sidewalk or driveway, is an inspired use of recycled objects. Build the beds to the height that is most easily accessible.

Second, you’ll need the proper soil for containers and raised beds
The best planting medium for containers is one that drains rapidly, but will hold enough water to keep the roots of the plants moist. Also, the soil should be rich in organic material. Garden centres sell soil less potting mixtures made specifically for containers, which provide a sterile environment for good plant health and include the organic materials needed for good plant growth. If you prefer to make your own soil for the containers, mix good quality planting soil, compost and granite sand (to improve drainage) to ensure the best start for the plants. Also, consider the pH requirements of your plants. If the pH needs adjustment (for example, a more acidic soil is needed, requiring lime), amendments can be added easily before planting.

Third, decide what to plant
The most exciting thing about container gardening is that there really are no rules. Almost anything can be planted in a container or raised bed—if there’s enough room. Flowers, foliage plants, herbs, fruit trees, vegetables, shrubs and small trees are all good choices for planting in planters, pots and containers. The crucial element to consider is how much sunlight the container will receive. This will dictate which plants to use. Most planters will benefit from a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight each day, and fruits and most vegetables will require more sun.

What kind of look are you trying to achieve in the container? Design definitely comes into play during plant selection time. A pot containing one type of flower—the red geraniums in a classic urn—can be very attractive and fit your needs for a certain location. You may prefer a mixed planting of striking foliage plants, bright annuals and delicate overflowing ivy. Mix up herbs and flowers for a wonderful complementary garden. All kinds of vegetables can be grown in pots, provided you’ve got enough sunlight. Whether your goal is formal, contemporary, whimsical or austere, you can accomplish this look with the right mix of plants and container. You may want to consider planting some evergreen plants in the containers, which you’ll leave in all year long, add perennials for different looks throughout the year, and seasonally change annuals. This is a great time- and money-saving solution to planting containers, and eliminates the boredom factor that is sometimes apparent in front porch containers.

Time to plant—how do I do it?
• Fill your container about four-fifths full of the soil mix. To reduce the amount of soil needed, you may want to add items that take up space in the bottom of the pot, but will still allow good drainage. Styrofoam packing “peanuts” are a great choice. If you’ve got a very large container to plant, place empty two-liter soft drink bottles (with the top screwed back on) into the pot. Crushed rock, concrete or stones can be added to a raised bed (up to 1/3 full) to reduce the volume of soil used. Don’t take up too much space with these additions; the plant roots need at least 8-10 inches of soil for good growth.
• Add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil at planting time (and use a water-soluble fertilizer ever other week to add nutrients to the soil). Many gardeners also add a product to the soil that will aid in water retention (usually a gel-type pellet or granule). These work well if used correctly. Read and follow the manufacturers directions precisely if you use these products and measure carefully. Adding too much to the soil can leave you with a very soggy container, full of unhappy plants.

• Unpack your plants from their nursery containers and loosen the roots. Place them in the container and play around with their placement. Unlike gardening in traditional beds, plants should be placed closer together for best results. Now’s the time to design the garden that pleases your eye—so have fun with it. Mixing textures and colours of foliage and flowers gives you endless combinations. Generally, the most striking planters combine tall plants, plants that trail, and those with flowers and/or interesting foliage.

• Once you’ve decided where to place the plants, add more soil to about an inch below the top of the container, and cover with mulch. Add water, and you’re done planting.

Maintenance
Once you’ve finished planting and placing the containers where you’d like them, maintenance is easy. Containers dry out much faster than planting beds, so check the soil daily and add water as needed. Fertilize every other week with a water-soluble liquid fertilizer, and observe the plants for signs of disease or pests. Also, groom the plants as needed, cutting off faded flower blooms and harvesting fruits, herbs and vegetables when they are ripe.

If you need to move the pots around as light conditions change with the seasons, go ahead—that’s one of the advantages of gardening in containers! Now that you know how easy it is to create beautiful and innovative displays in containers, make this smaller space gardening your choice, and enjoy the time you’ve saved with your family and friends.