WH1Ty FRE pRESS, OUTDOOR LiVING, MAY 4,1988, PAGE A3 Container gardening is ideal for those with imiedspc By VERONICA COLANGELO Almost everyone can enjoy a container garden, whether it's in the form of window boxes, or tubs and barrels on a patio or balcony. Container gardening is ideal for those who have limited space. While gardening in containers is simple, there are a few key factors to keep in mind that differ somewhat to gardening in the ground. Attention should be paid to the· container itself, the soil mix used for the plants, and the plants themselves and, of course, watering and fertilizing regimes are important too. If you have planted a window box or hanging basket in the past and have been disappointed in the results perhaps this information will change that around. The material the container is made of has a definite effect on the success of the planter. Overheating of the soil is a common cause of failure in window-box plantings. Metal boxes overheat faster than wooden ones and dark colored material absorbs heat faster than lighter colors. Wooden containers that are 3/4 to one inch thick help to insulate the plants roots against summer heat. Plastic is commonly available in garden centres and these make excellent liners for wooden boxes, both in terms of protection for the wood and ease of handling for the gardener. These plastic planters are more frequently used on their own and the wise gardener will choose a light color which won't absorb as much of the sun's heat. The depth of the box is important and careful attention should be paid to ensure that it is deep enough to support the plants root systeins. Eiglt inches deep seems to be a workable depth. Whatever the size of the container you choose, it must have drainage holes. One of the biggest problens container gardener experience is a collection of plants that don't see to thrive and at the same time the soil has become like concrete. Most important in any container garden is that air pockets remain in the soil after it has been watered and drained. A plant's roots require air for growth and transpiration. Rather than using a heavy garden soil in your planters, a "soiless mix" will give you better results. Examples of such materials are "Redi-Earth," Metro-Mix," "Tro-Mix" and "Horti-Mix." Your local garden centre could stock other brand names of a similar product. Soiless mixtures have three main advantages over garden soil. They are conducive to fast drainage, air is left in the soil after drainage (due to the varying sizes of the materials used to make the mix), and a reservoir of water is left in the "soil" after it has drained. The soiless mixes are also lightweight and are sterile. Container soil must have better drainage than garden soil because the roots have no where to go to get away from too much water. It is important however, to ensure that the soil retains sufficient moisture to supply the plant. Before you add soil to the container, a piece of fine mesh wire screen laid in the bottom will help prevent the planting mix from washing out the drainage holes. Fill the container to within one or two inches of the top. It's easier if you dampen the planting mix before putting it in 'the container. Todo this is to simply run the hose into the plastic bag the planting mix comes in. Since .a soiless mix will not supply the nutritive needs of the plants, fertilizing is important. Container plants require more frequent feeding because they generally require. more frequent watering. This frequent watering leaches the fertilizer out of the soil more rapidly. When you initially plant your container, use a transplant formula fertilizer. A formula with a high middle number is the one to get, e.g. 10-52-10. This gives the roots a quick boost and helps prevent transplant shock. After that, fertilize every couple of weeks with a water soluble all purpose solution (20-20-20). Rather than planting your container with a mish-mash of whatever bedding plants you have left over, it's wise to consider just what you would like the end resît to look like. Here are some principles of design that should guide you in your selection of plant material: • Repeat patterns in and among the containers. • ,Odd numbers of plants in a container tends to be more eye pleasing. • Choose colors of flowers and leaves that harmonize with one another. • Stagger plants within the container, so that they fill in better and make for a fuller planting. Rows should be about three inches apart and plants about six inches apart. • Single colors or simple combinations are most effective. The amount of planters will receive what plants you can use. sun your will dictate successfully For a shady spot, try ferns such as sprergerii, other foliage house plants, coleus, impatiens and fushcia. , Sunny areas that get full sun most of the day should be planted only with those plants that can take that kind of heat. Portulaca, the small dwarf snapdragons are a couple that will work well. Most locations though, have a combination of sunny and shady periods. For this location, the choice is wider. Try ageratums, petunias, begonias, thunbergia, dusty miller, marigolds, dianthus, geraniums to nane a few, as there are many others. Don't forget herbs and some vegetables are what appeals to you and then ask a knowledgeable nursery staff member if you are unsure. Plant those banana peels Plant them! Tear the peels or cut them into small pieces with scissors. Bury them around your roses. Peels provide 3.25 per cent Forfrien-y v phosphorous and 41.76 per cent potash. 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