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9:15 pm
January 21, 2011
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What is micro nutrient powder or other source of minors?
8:44 am
January 21, 2011
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I have ran into a problem with the potted vegetables. Just in the bit of heat we've got they wilt like crazy. I can see they will need a watering in the morning and evening, but seeing how the heat effects them so much I am concerned how they will take the heat of summer when it gets hot. I have some containers to put under the pots to maybe hold some water so I am going to put them under them today and hope that helps. I hope someone has some suggestions.
9:39 am
November 9, 2010
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I know that it might not be the most attractive but try putting some straw around the base of the plant. What kind of pot is in in? I know that the terra cotta pots will pull some moisture out of the soil and it evaporate. Just my 2 cents…
1:11 pm
January 21, 2011
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I have a large boy dog so I had to put the pots up on blocks. I put those clear plastic trays under them hoping I can hold some water in for them.
I'm always thankful 
for your 2 cents mammaleigh!
1:25 pm
February 6, 2011
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Can you repot them with a thicker, richer soil? I found that the soil they use to start them in dries out so quickly. I have a beautiful hanging basket that does the same thing. I'm going to have to re-do it. It just dries out so fast.
7:49 am
July 24, 2010
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MaryB,
Regarding your containers drying out quickly.
Can you put some sort of drip irrigation system in place? Not necessarily the traditional hose with emitters–though of course that would be nice but kinda pricey I suspect. I mean like taking a large bottle (like a 2 liter drink bottle) and poking holes in the sides near the bottom. Fill with water and place near the root of the plant. If not too many holes are made, it should take a while for the water to leak out. You would still probably need to water twice daily, but this might provide some moisture during the heat of the day. We used a similar set-up with 5 gallon buckets placed next to the tomatoes in the garden. We had very sandy soil and the water would just run right through. Applying in a slow drip make the water more accessible to the plants. Okay, I've been long winded enough. Thought this might help.
Oh, of course there are always those moisture retaining granules that you can add to the soil too.
8:45 pm
August 24, 2010
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When I grow veggies in pots I make my own potting mix. 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 2 or 3 parts soil. Mix well. Also, I pot in what seems like way too large a pot for the plant. That helps, too, and leaves enough room that I can have 2 – 3 inches of mulch.
Drip irrigation is the *best* solution, because they are in pots, they will need more to be watered much more often than if they were in the ground. Clay pots can wick moisture out of the soil, also. The 2-liter or milk jug with pinholes is a good method for slow watering, too.
2:04 pm
January 21, 2011
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Thank you guys. I appreciate the good ideas.
I have plants in the ground and in the containers, and the ones in the ground are fine, so I knew I had to do something to save them. I moved the containers into semi sun now, so they are looking much better. Last year I hung some cherry tomatoes on my porch and they gave me a ton of tomatoes..so that was semi sun, see. That is what gave me the idea.
4:45 pm
August 6, 2010
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I didn't read thru all the posts, so pardon me if someone has already talked about these things. I use a lot of containers sprinkled thru my gardens, for several purposes. If I have a bare spot where I have taken a plant out–plop goes the container. A spot where the dog is mashing things down–container goes there. A weed–cover it with a container til it dies. I use them to discourage the dogs from making paths thru the beds. (Those cheap wire fencing sections also help channel dog traffic. )
I mostly use large glazed ceramic containers–we have a local wholesale ceramics plant that has an open house twice a year for the public, and I have gotten some great buys. They are extremely heavy, so I don't plant houseplants or perennials in them–that way, I can leave them outside. I tip them over in the winter so they don't fill with water, freeze and break. (These pots are at least 24 inches in diameter–size does matter when it comes to containers. Little ones dry out too fast.)
I like the look of terra-cotta, but it does dry out very quickly, especially if it has a big plant with a lot of foliage in it. Those moisture retaining beads help with that problem, as do plastic saucers underneath. I put cactus/succulents in those, mostly.
I buy 50 pound bales of Pro-mix from the feed store each spring. I use the soil for more than one year–I stir it up and then add some more on top.
6:09 pm
October 31, 2010
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I just planted a basil plant in a large terra cotta pot. Probably a bad idea, huh? I didn't even think of the moisture issue.
Do you think I should replant it in something different or will putting it into a saucer filled with water suffice?
(I guess I could also try to figure out a way to drip irrigate but I like to avoid plastics in the sun.)
6:20 pm
May 26, 2011
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Sparrowgrass I love the idea of your containers in and around the garden I hate the pesty path my dogs make also they don't like the heat so they are not out to much but anyway I may try this for herbs I'll have to ask permission from the gardener first LOL he kinda in charge and if i do to much then it becomes my hobby and I'll end up doing the whole garden and that can't happen
cindy
8:24 am
August 24, 2010
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A couple of years ago, I lost my garden area to the shade of a huge oak tree. Not enough sun there anymore, for veggies to do well. Between not wanting to dig a new garden spot, and limited full sun in my yard, I decided to garden in containers.
Ever seen the "grow boxes"? I made "self-watering" pots from 5 gallon buckets and have had very good success with them. Just make sure they are filled with water every morning, and let them do their thing. Tomatoes and peppers, last year I grew a Seminole pumpkin that vined out about 40 feet!
I also made a larger one from a big rubbermaid storage container, and have cucumbers doing well in it. I had a huge one, but it met its demise because of the sun, and I haven't replaced it yet.
I guess if I wanted them "pretty" I could have made them in prettier containers….but at any rate, they work well, and solve the problem of water issues.
11:26 am
March 13, 2011
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Here in Northwest Florida we are in extreme drought conditions – aka no rain. I just planted two containers that I can keep watered. One has flowers the other has tomatoes, two ot the important thing in life :)
6:56 pm
April 1, 2009
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When we built our home, I was so excited to have a huge yard with abundant sunshine so I could finally have a garden, then we planted a "few" trees and then an orchard, and before I knew it, not much sun, so I have a small raised garden for our tomato and pepper plants, but I really missed my roses, so this past week end I planted 6 rose bushes in large conainers as well as 2 pots of lavender and placed them on the edge of our back porch, they are just starting to bloom, so I have the best of both world, shade and beautiful roses that are easy to tend and close enough to get all of the great fragrance.
We also have large pots of hostas on the porch, they have been in the same pots for several years and are still doing well. I love container planting, –dont know why I didnt do it sooner.
Now that we are in the garage sale season, I look for large planters, they can also be spray painted just about any color, I buy my spray paint at the auto supply store, a lot more colors to choose from and more durable than most spray paint, and usally cost less.
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