O U t d O O r S CONTAINERS
> O t
B e a u t i f u l c o n t a i n e r s r e a c h t h e i r
p o t e n t i a l o n l y if p l a n t e d p r o p e r l y .
H e r e ’s t h e s c o o p o n s o i l , p o t s , a n d t h e
l i t t l e t h i n g s t h a t h e l p p l a n t s t h r i v e .
TOP IT OFF
C o ver th e surface w ith m ulch
N o t only does it d eco rate the
pot, it also reduces soil
splashing and conserves water.
Sim ple w o o d o r bark m ulch is
fine, but try other m aterials
such as rocks, fo r a m ore
d eco rative look.
USE QUALITY POTTING SOIL
Alw ays use potting mix, never
garden soil. And although it’s
tem pting to reuse potting
mix— it costs m oney, after all—
plants will g ro w m ore robustly
and have few er diseases with
fresh mix. W h en you plant,
blend in slow-release fertilizer.
KEEP IT LIGHT
In larger pots (m ore than 12
inches across) yo u m ay w ant
to displace soil and decrease
th e overall w eight. An upside-
d ow n plastic pot o r packing
peanuts in th e p o t’s bottom
will do th e trick. In sm aller
pots, fill com p letely w ith soil
fo r good root grow th.
CATCH DRAINAGE
Po ts m ust have a drainage
hole fo r excess w a te r to pass
through. A pan to hold the
drain w a ter p revents staining
on yo u r deck o r patio.
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MAY 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
