Containers can grow gardens

By Ted Schaaf
Gardens at Spring Creek

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Container gardening is a great way to introduce both young and old to gardening. I have been exposed to many forms of container gardening over the years and never tire of their endless possibilities. No matter what types of plants I fancy, there is a container waiting to display them.

Consider adding containers to established plantings for a splash of color that can be easily changed with every season. For example, I enjoy planting pansies and alyssum in the early spring. Then, in June, I remove them and annuals take center stage. After our first frost, brightly colored mums replace the annuals to boldly proclaim that fall is here. This simple planting plan can easily add an extra two months to your gardening season.

Choosing containers

Here is where the fun begins. The possibilities are endless as long as the pot you choose has some type of drainage hole in the bottom. Most brightly colored, glazed pots work especially well. Keep in mind several simple rules when it comes to colors of containers. Brightly colored pots act as accents. I especially like cobalt blue. The color blue has a very calming effect, as well as a cooling effect in the garden. Hot colors, on the other hand, suggest high energy. Silver-colored plants are especially pleasing in red pots, as are many of our southwestern plants.

Plants in containers dry out more quickly than those planted in the ground. Therefore, it's best to use at least a 12-inch pot. My favorite container material is terra cotta, even though it will dry out more quickly than glazed or plastic pots.

Specially designed trough containers, called tufa pots, are particularly attractive when displaying rock garden plants. Old-fashioned whiskey barrels are well suited for growing vegetables. Strawberry pots are just plain fun when planted with your favorite herbs.

Here's a way to wow your neighbors: Plant flowers in glazed pots that complement the flowers' colors. You can use a color wheel to create some exciting combinations such as red geraniums in green pots or purple pansies in a yellow pot. The color schemes are endless.

Maintenance

Most failures, when planting containers, can be traced to poor potting soil. This is one area where you don't want to skimp. Choose a planting mix that, when wet, allows for good drainage. At the Gardens on Spring Creek we remove about 6 inches of old soil when replanting in containers that were used the previous year and add fresh, new soil on top.

Many potting mixes have a slow-release fertilizer. You can also mix a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote into potting soil before planting. Watering is a must even after what appears to be a good rain. I like to water my containers three times per week. Try to water on the same days each week so you don't forget.

Choosing plants for your containers is a matter of preference. Simple is best. An attractive planting will have a tall accent, fillers in the center and cascading plants along the edge. Planting in containers is different than planting in the ground because you plant much closer. As a rule, I space plants no further than two fingers apart. Planting close together helps each plant hold up its neighbor. It will also act as mulch by shading the root zone as the plants mature.

When using annuals, it's best to give your plants a haircut around midsummer. Although this is especially difficult to do when annuals are in full bloom, you will be rewarded very shortly with fresh, new growth and many additional flowers.

More than flowers

Tomatoes and peppers are especially suited for containers. Determinate tomatoes, often referred to as patio tomatoes, grow best in pots. A large, 15-gallon pot works well as these tomatoes put out a lot of root growth. Peppers thrive and are very enjoyable when planted in 5-gallon nursery pots. Be sure to stake your plants.

A favorite container planting of mine uses edible herbs – Italian basil, flat-leaf parsley, chives, English thyme and Greek oregano.

Check out the Gardens on Spring Creek's annual spring plant sale. Heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, perennials, grasses and annuals will be sold on May 8 beginning at 9 a.m. This is our largest one-day fund-raiser of the year. Proceeds go toward operations of the gardens. All plants were grown in either our greenhouse, thanks to our dedicated volunteers, or by horticulture students gaining valuable work-study credit at Front Range Community College.

Happy gardening!

Ted Schaaf is the horticulturist for the city's Gardens on Spring Creek, located off Centre Avenue about one-half mile south of Prospect Road in Fort Collins.