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Archive for the ‘Planters’ Category
Planting New Plants and Seeds
Though you might think you can just stick a seed in the ground, cover it with dirt, and let it grow, this is often not true. Most seeds require a bit of nurturing, including plenty of sunlight once they reach the surface, and also plenty of water. When planting a new seed—whether it’s in hanging planters or straight in the earth—you first ensure that you dig the hole at the correct depth. Seeds from plants and flowers will need to be planted at different depths in the dirt, in general, about 2-4 inches is safe, but it can vary. You will want to fill the bottom of the hole with potting soil, as well as a bit of bonemeal and fertilizer. Place the seeds on top, then cover the hole with the dirt you dug out. Then give the seeds a good soak with the hose, but make sure not to spray the dirt too hard.
Depending on the plant, if the seeds took it should be a few weeks before you see something growing out of the ground. Continue to water the plant and ensure it gets plenty of sunshine its early growth.
Wind Worn Petunias
The wind blew hard the other night and continued into the next day. On top of that the tempurature rose to a warm 95 degrees. After that beating, my hanging baskets that were not protected, looked more like a sticks with a few leaves than a beautiful accumulation of petunia blooms. I watered them well and the next morning they looked like some life had come back into them but the stems seemed to be permanently bent in the direction that the wind blew and they looked very “leggy”.
Since this is not a look that I want to have for the rest of the summer, I began searching for an answer and decided that trimming my petunia plants would be best. This was not a bad idea since some of them were looking a little “leggy” and the flowers in the hanging basket were not growing evenly. I trimmed the plants back, leaving at least two leaf sets on the plant and then fertilized and watered well.
I have seen a similar trimming done by mother nature (a hail storm) and after fertilizing and watering, the petunias came back fuller and with more blooms. With the trimming that I did, I am hoping for the same results.
My Bloommaster Planters Have Bloomed!
We have finally had some warmth move into our area and the plants are loving it. It was hard to watch the plants stand still during the cold weather that we had in May and the first part of June. Summer is here, planting is done and now I just have to water, fertilize and enjoy. I fertilize my container planters with liquid fertilizer once a week and prune periodically to keep an even shape as much as I can.
When I planted my Bloommaster planters at the end of April, I posted a picture of one when it was first planted. It looked so bare-it was hard to believe it would look like it does now. As it continues to grow, I hope to have a colorful trailing planter.
I promised that I would periodically give updates on the progress of my Bloommaster planters. I have put one of the pictures here, but if you search for Cornerstone Yard and Garden on Facebook, I will post a number of pictures for you to look at if you choose.
Brown Thumb Got You Down?
My green thumb recently turned brown. I have always taken great care of my many house plants, but while away on a two-week business trip something went wrong. The neighbor kid I paid $100 bucks to feed my cat and take care of my plants let me down. When I returned I was saddened to find many of my beloved floral friends limp and yellowing in their garden planters. The kid left all the blinds down, so they didn’t get any sun, and it doesn’t look like he watered them much either.
I did some quick damage control by watering them, and opening the blinds to give them some much needed sun. I also went to my local nursery and purchased some plant vitamins containing humic acid. The process of soil regeneration was slow, but eventually the plants began clawing their way back to life. My thumb isn’t as green as it once was, but at least it’s not brown anymore.
Part I – My Bloommaster Planting
I started to plant my Bloommaster side planter pots this week. The weather is finally starting to show signs of spring, the birds have migrated in and the trees are budding, so I have decided it is time.
It actually takes me more time to decide what I want each pot to look like than it takes me to plant them. Do I want an elegant look, a brilliant flowery look, a full, heavy look or just the basic-one flower will cover the whole pot? One of my pots is going to be planted in different colors of coleus’ and dark potato plants. It will not be a brilliant colored pot, but very interesting in texture and style. I really like pots of petunias, full of body and color-after they have grown and in full bloom. I just have trouble planting them that way when I see all the other plants that would add “this texture” or “that color” to the scheme. That is why this pot is planted with more than just petunias.
Since I am using small plants, the pot doesn’t look very interesting right after planting, but in a few weeks it will explode with growth. On the sides, I have planted trailing petunia plugs. (Plants in plugs and six-packs are small and take more time to grow, but are easier to place in the side holes.) I have supplemented the sides with a few “Midnight Blue” Lobella. The centerpiece of this pot is planted with Dianthus, surrounded by Blue Phlox and Double Floribunda Petunias.
Since I never know if my “concoctions” will turn out as I plan, I will just have to wait and see what the results are. If the results are as I planned, I will post a new update at a later time.
Spring Cleaning – Container Planters
This week we had some beautiful days. Days that make you think that spring is here. With spring, I start thinking of spring cleaning and, being a gardener, that includes cleaning and disinfecting my container planters. Containers, old and new, need to be clean and disinfected to protect your new plants from contaminates such as chemical residues, salts, pests, molds, fungus and other contaminates.
Plastic pots are the easiest to clean, while clay pots can be the most difficult. If the residue on the container is hard, you may need to soak the container for a few hours to loosen up the debris. Wash the container with water and a mild detergent, scrubbing to remove any debris or salts that remain attached to the container. Then rinse the containers with a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to disinfect. If it is a porous container, you may need to soak it in the bleach solution for a few minutes to fully disinfect. Lastly, rinse the container in clean water again to remove any bleach residue.
Cleaning your container planters will save some heartache after you have planted your new plants. Plants that come from a nursery or greenhouse can bring hidden contaminates that you don’t want to carryover into the new season. Also, old debris can also harbor such contaminates. Start the season with spring cleaning your container planters.
Flower And Foliage Fragrance
You can add fragrance to you plantings this year by using a variety of flowers or foliage such as leafy plants, herbs or evergreens. The area where you will be planting nay define what type of fragrant plants to use, but the idea is to maximize the ability to enjoy the fragrance. The motto “the closer the better” is a good thought to keep in mind. Fragrant flowers placed at a level closer to the nose and/or near locations that you frequent will maximize the enjoyment of fragrant plants.
When choosing fragrance, plan carefully to avoid choosing fragrances that conflict with each other. Gardeners have created standard categories of fragrances to help differentiate floral scents from one another. They are as follows:
- Balsamic – found in leaves that contain menthol or minty oils-includes mints, sages, rosemary, lavender, wormwood, balsam and eucalyptus.
- Fruity-found in a wide range of plants-includes flowering fruits, fruit-scented geraniums and roses, grape hyacinth and magnolia.
- Heavy-found in flowers with a strong perfume fragrance-includes gardenia, jasmine, roses and orange blossom.
- Honeyed-found in different flowers-includes hawthorn, barberry and hybrid musk roses.
- Rose-the smell of old European garden roses-includes roses, peonies and honeysuckle.
- Spicy-this fragrance is often combined with other scents and is found in leaves and flowers-includes carnations, pinks, azaleas and nasturtium.
- Sweet-found in flowers, grasses and ferns.
- Unique-even more distinct and refined than the heavy scents-includes lily-of-the-valley, sweet pea, some iris, wisteria and common lilac.
- Violet-only in a few plants such as sweet voilet, Siberian crabapple and orris root.
You can use various gardening ideas to promote your fragrant plants such as in containers at a level “closer to the nose”, in combination with an arch, arbor or trellis, along a path where they will brush your leg to spread the fragrance, in a raised garden or as a landscaping point. Ask your gardening center which plants will produce the fragrance that tantalizes your sense of smell and will grow in the situation you desire. Of our five senses, smell can be one of the most rewarding. Enjoy the fragrance of your plants.
Tips For Planting A Side Planter Container
Last year was my first experience using side planting containers. As with any new beginner in a project, I learned some do’s and don’ts. Below, I will recap how to plant a side planter and some tips that I learned. Since I use Bloom Master Planters, my information will be directed more to their use.
When planting a side planter container, you want to use a good potting mix. Do not use potting soil or garden soil as they are too heavy for the pot and the plants. If you are re-using a container from a previous planting, be sure to wash and disinfect the container. Pre-moisten the potting mix, but don’t make it wet. Fill the container with the potting mix up to the bottom row of holes. Insert the rootball of the plant through the hole from the outside in. If the rootball is larger than 2″, you may gently push the plant through the hole from the inside. (As a note, I have read that some gardeners will dip the rootball in water until the roots are saturated and then firmly squeeze most of the water out before placing in the container.) Add more potting mix up to the next row of holes and pat gently. Repeat this process until all layers of holes are complete. It is not necessary to plant every hole. Fill the container with potting mix and flowers up to within 1 1/2″ of the top of the container.
When planting the top of the container, the plants should be no more than 3″ apart. I flattened the rootball of the plants that went along the outside edge of the container and planted them at an angle so that the plant leaned slightly over the edge. Cover the roots with potting mix and pat gently. Do not cover the stems with potting mix. Place a centerpiece plant in the center if so desired. When finished, water gently until water comes out of the bottom holes.
Some tips that I learned about side planters are as follows: 1. Do not pack the potting mix tightly, the plant roots need access to oxygen to live. 2. If you use potting mix with a fertilizer, do not fertilize again until the plants indicate they need it-they may or may not not need any all season. 3. If fertilizing, use a good liquid fertilizer, which can be applied weekly if the plants so require. 4. Water slowly with a sprayer or watering jug. If you water too quickly, the soil and plants may not have time to absorb the water as needed. 5. Do not let the container dry out-if you do, water slowly for good absorption. You may also need to spray the sides for the holes to absorb water. 6. Trim plants as needed during the season to keep even if that is your desired look.
If you have never tried a side planting container, they can be alot of fun. You can create many different looks with a wide variety of plants. I know that I will be anxious to plant mine.
Starting Your Seeds Indoors
If you are as anxious as I am to get started, you may be thinking of starting your seeds indoors. (Before doing so, please do not start too early unless you have a greenhouse to maintain the proper tempatures and light levels.) By starting seeds indoor, you can have your garden or flowers ready for that warm weather that is coming.
You will need a clean, disenfected container with excellant drainage, a sterile, freely-draining potting medium, grow lights and a location with the correct tempature and ventilation. To start, you should use pre-moistened potting mix (not soggy) and fill the container to within 1/4″ of the top. Level the soil and make sure there are no air pockets. Follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting. Place the containers in natural light and keep the soil moist until the plants have sprouted. The containers can be placed in a clear, unsealed plastice bag to keep the humidy high while waiting for sprouting. After sprouting, remove the plastic bag and move the container under the grow lights for sixteen to eighteen hours a day. The lights should be six to eight inches from the plants. If they are higher, the plants will become “leggy”. As the seedlings grow, move the lights accordingly. The tempature should be around 70 degrees in the day and close to 60 degrees at night to have strong compact plants. Feed your seedlings with water soluble fertilizer at 1/4 strength every third or fourth watering. Once the seedlings have at least two sets of leaves, transplant them to larger pots if necessary. When the plants have reached the size desired, transplant them to you garden or outdoor planter.
With practice and some trial and error, you will learn when to start your seedlings so that you are ready and going when warm weather arrives. Happy gardening this spring!
What To Plant In Side Planting Planters
Many people have seen the upside down planting tubes to grow tomatoes in. You may have also seen or used the planters that hold coco liners. I prefer to use Bloom Master Planters as a side planter. I like the Bloom Master for its re-usability and for its growth potential qualities. I enjoy side planters for their mounding effect and have also planted some trailing planters.
I have a difficult time, when I go to the greenhouse, deciding which plants to buy for my side planters. Some plants do very well and some look like they should do well, but don’t. Since I have a tendency to get carried away at the greenhouse, I decided to make a list of plants that work well in side planters. I have decided to post this list to help anyone else who has this problem also.
Sides
Wave Petunias, Supertunias, Surfinias, Cascadia Petunias, Super Cascade Petunias, Tidal Wave Petunias, Million Bells, Bacopa, Star Series Zinnias, Ivy Geraniums, Scaevola, Trailing Lobelia, Verbena (Taipan), Superbena, Nerembergia, Black Eyed Susan Vine, Nemesia, Sutera, Impatiens,Begonias, Mums, Coleus, Upright Torenia, Sweet Potato Vines, Ivy, Creeping Jenny, Lamium, Variegated Mint and Trailing Torenia.
Fun Centerpieces
Blue Salvia, Caladiums, Giant Coleus, Grasses, Pentas and Geraniums.
Guaranteed, this is not a complete list, but it will give you a good variety to start with. Once you are comfortable with these choices, you can always experiment with others to add to the list. If you find a great choice that is not listed here, please feel free to let me know and I will add it.