Container gardening is not a new concept. Most of us have been piling annuals in planters for years, but new innovations and ideas are adding purpose and pizazz to our humble pots. From fully functional container vegetable, fruit and herb gardens to exotic patio plantings in unique contraptions, the plant-filled containers of today have come a long way, baby!
A few days ago I attended a seminar on container gardening at my local library, which hosted the event in tandem with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, affiliated with Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I always enjoy these offerings because one can glean golden nuggets of information from professionals. On this particular evening, two master gardeners from the extension shared tips and tricks on container gardening. The most fascinating bit of info to me was the latest news on growing food in containers, which, incidentally, is growing in popularity as people become more health-conscious, and want home-grown, pesticide-free vegetables, herbs and fruits.
According to the pros, Burpee has just introduced a cultivar of corn that can be grown in containers! A typical container will yield 3-4 ears! How cool is that? If you go on Burpee.com you can read all about their new "On Deck Hybrid," a bicolor variety that reaches 4-5', and adds vertical interest to pots.
Of course, before you add the plants, the soil must be impeccable. Container gardening season is short, so it's imperative to make the most out of what you've got. No, I don't mean spraying all manner of concoctions--especially those with potential to harm the environment. I'm advocating, as usual, simple, eco-friendly ways to boost garden soil without affecting wildlife, domestic animals, and ourselves. The best garden soil comes right from the bottom of your composting pile. Don't have a composting pile? Most new housing developments don't, but if you have a wooded area on your property--or have access to one--you've got natural compost at your disposal. Simply take a nature walk with a spade and a few pots, and dig under the layer of leaves that have collected at tree bases. The soil underneath will be a rich, dark brown: a treasure trove of plant-loving nutrients creating the lovely, deep color.
I always stir a bit of potting soil and/or peat into the mix--about 20%-40%--then add some composted pine bark, about 20%. According to the CCE's master gardeners, this is a magical formula. They pointed out that most straight-up garden soil tends to harden in pots (though this is less prevalent when using the highly composted variety just discussed). Other recommendations include adding (about 10%-20%) two natural, toxin-free substances: Vermiculite or Perlite.
We've all heard about these materials, and we've learned that they're good for our soil--and growing strong, healthy plants. But why? What are they, exactly? Vermiculite is a clay of weathered mica--rich in magnesium. It's great when combined with peat and composted pine bark to promote faster root growth via its high water-holding and air-holding capacity. Perlite is volcanic glass, heated to the point where the glassy material expands to 20 times it's original size, due to water trapped inside the glassy particles. What's good about this? Like Vermiculite, it holds water and air in the soil, allows for pockets of air around tender roots, keeping soil from compacting around them, and smothering them. And like the former, it insulates vulnerable roots against rapid temperature changes--a particular concern when planting in pots, which don't have acres of earth to act as a natural blanket.
But what to plant? That's the easy--and fun--part! Plant what you love. I enjoy multiple pots of geraniums; I've been known to put dozens on my front porch. When fall winds down, I gently pull the plants from their pots and hang them upside down in my basement. I know it sounds barbaric, but it works (though it can get quite messy). I've had the same plants for about 6 years now. Other great choices (as seen in the photo) are: wax begonia (these lend themselves nicely to window boxes, because they don't become unruly), Torenia, Angelonia, Lantana, Verbena, Bacopa, Dianthus Lobelia...the list goes on and on. You can even mix and match herbs, fruits and veggies in your flowerpots.
One way to ensure the plants look great is by incorporating the "Thriller, Filler, Spiller" method of designing plantings in pots. The master gardeners at my library event pointed this out, making me smile, because I'd learned this many years ago, when I studied at New York's Botanical Garden. Basically , it's about balance in the pot--with height, width, growth habit and color all considerations. An example of this would be to put a large, vertical plant in the center of the pot--like a purple Persian shield. That's the "thriller." Then apply the "filler" in the form of something full and frothy, like a Euphorbia, 'Diamond Frost', which gets tons of tiny white flowers, for an ethereal effect. Finally, the "spiller"--a trailing "wave" petunia. Try deep purple for a more monochromatic look, or go with a splashier shade--like a popsicle pink. Other colorful choices for containers include Celosia (but pop the flowers off say the master gardeners, until the plant fully establishes) and Nasturtium, which you can add right to pots in seed form. Simply poke seeds between existing plants, and watch them twine around in a lovely symphony of hues!
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