Do you feel like your containers have lost their color and shine?
Your containers are looking tired and worn, but there is a way to revive them! A few simple changes can give your plants the nourishment they need.
1. PICK THE PERFECT POT
Picking the right container for your potting soil is important because a very small planter will crowd roots, while an overly large one can result in moist or soggy ground that suffocates plant life.
If you’re looking to maximize the amount of space a plant can take up in your container, be sure that it’s spaced about 10-12 inches apart. If plants grow from 24-36 inches tall then go ahead and have larger pots or containers ready for them!
A soggy root environment will cause most bedding plants to suffer and not perform well. Drainage is also needed, as it’s harder for them to “breathe” in a container with little room to grow roots properly.
2. PLANT WITH A PLAN
Impulse buying does not always mean you’ve made the best decisions, so most of time it results in bad choices. That’s why I like to plan ahead for my purchases and make sure they’re going to thrive no matter what conditions are faced with; low, or extremely high humidity is one thing that can really do some major damage!
Also, filling out your pots with some greenery is the perfect way to brighten up any space. Adding plants with varying heights and bloom times can also be an excellent addition for any landscape, no matter what kind of gardener you are!
3. PROVIDE NUTRIENT-RICH SOIL
Amending your soil with about 20-25% finished compost or well-rotted manure improves the composition of nutrients in a lot. Container soils are best when they have some moisture retaining materials, such as perlite and vermiculite for example.
If you want to make your garden soil more absorbent, try using materials like compost and manure. These natural ingredients will help the mix retain moisture better so it never gets dry as time goes on!
4. GIVE THEM A LONG, TALL DRINK OF WATER
Summer’s arrival means that containers need plenty of water, but not all pots require watering at the same time.
If you have a large pot with heavy growth or big plants then give it some TLC by providing a deep and slow watering.
5. GROOM BI-WEEKLY
Container plants need to be groomed every couple of weeks while they are growing in order to avoid pests issues, or problems associated with container gardening.
You should remove any diseased plants as well, because these can lead to major issues down the road such as disease spreading throughout your entire garden and kill all other plants around.
6. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: FERTILIZE, AND FERTILIZE AGAIN
This one simple tip is going to make a huge difference for you and your plants. We recommend adding slow-release fertilizer, which will give them all the nutrients they need without making things too bulky in their soil!
A general purpose fertilizer that will keep your plants healthy and strong is 24-8-16 (24% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, 16% potassium).
However, remember: Too much fertilizer is just as bad (if not worse) than too little, so make sure you get to know your plant and their needs. They will thank you later for taking the time!