Another helpful tip to aid your garden efforts.
Selecting the right home is as important for your plants as it is for you.
Select a container suited for your climate; I like a terracotta-infused fiberglass. It's lightweight and it can stay outdoors all year-round.
Now many gardeners like to save money on soil and reduce the weight of their large containers by creating a false bottom. One gardener used packing peanuts in an onion bag--easier clean up in the fall. No matter what false bottom you use, cover it with a permeable fabric; it lets the water through, but keeps the soil from filtering down into your false bottom.
Or maybe you prefer to buy a pot that comes with a false bottom built in or purchase one of the false bottoms on the market. It slides partway down the pot--notice it has drainage holes to help save space. Or you can make your own.
Now that you found the right home, it's time to move in the plants.
Just a bit more information: Consider a self-watering pot if your busy lifestyle or travel schedule prevents you from checking and watering (if needed) your container gardens every day. These containers have a reservoir for storing water. As the soil dries, the water moves from the reservoir into the soil for the plants to use. Look for self-watering containers with a weep hole at the top of the water reservoir. This allows excess water to drain away if you over water or your area receives lots of rain.
For more gardening tips, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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