The key to caring for a beautiful container garden is pretty basic: Be consistent. While this concept is simple, what makes it a little tricky is that containerized plants are in artificial environments, so you need to watch them a bit more closely than you would the plants in your inground garden. Potting soil dries out and becomes exhausted of nutrients faster, roots can become cramped (or girdle plants), and containers are prone to drainage problems and fungal diseases.
Watering your container plants properly is the most important thing you can do to ensure your garden’s health. Unglazed terra-cotta pots generally require frequent watering because the porous containers wick moisture away from the soil.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
Misting helps plants absorb water through their foliage.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Apply slow-release granular fertilizers during the growing season. They can be mixed into the potting soil during planting or used as a watered-in topdressing.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Give your container garden consistent care – and be rewarded with a colorful bounty throughout the growing season!
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Kyle Chesser
But managing the overall care of potted plantings isn’t too overwhelming. Let’s take a look at two important jobs you can’t afford to overlook: watering container plants and applying fertilizer.
It’s no secret that water is vital to a plant’s survival. But in container gardening, it’s even more critical: With inground gardens, thirsty plants can extend their roots to find moisture when the soil around them runs dry, but container plants don’t have this option. Additionally, potting media dries out faster than garden soil – especially when it’s in porous containers like terra-cotta or ceramic.
With most species, the general rule for watering container plants, indoors or out, is to keep the potting soil damp (not soggy) during the growing season and allow the soil to dry at its surface before watering again. This means regularly testing the soil for dryness.
Often, the best “moisture indicator” is your finger – simply plunge it 2-3 inches into the potting medium. If it’s damp, the plant doesn’t need water. If it’s dry, it’s time for a drink. (Other water-stress signs include wilting leaves or flowers and a noticeably lighter pot, but these signs typically indicate more advanced water-stress issues, which you should try to avoid altogether.) Of course, you also want to avoid overwatering container plants because this can lead to other problems – namely fungal diseases. Let them dry out between waterings, and don’t let them sit in saucers of water.
Once you’ve figured out your plant’s watering needs, consider the best time of day to water. During the growing season (usually spring and summer), watering early to midmorning allows roots time to absorb moisture with minimal loss from evaporation, giving them strength to weather the midday heat. On particularly hot or windy days, another splash at dusk can replenish your thirsty plants’ roots. Because water also can be absorbed through foliage, a gentle misting up to midday can provide a nice boost.
Another good rule of thumb when it comes to watering container plants is that all foliage should be dry by nightfall. Avoid wetting leaves late in the afternoon when the weather is cool – low temperatures and moisture make ideal conditions for fungal diseases.
In winter (or dormant months), watering needs shift dramatically to the low end of the scale, often to once a week or less. For outdoor container plants in cold climates, late morning is often the best time to water (but hold off if there’s a threat of frost).
Feeding your container plants is another important care consideration. When the food runs out, a container plant has nowhere to go to replenish itself – it’s all up to you. Even potting mixes that contain nutrients have nothing left to give after a month or two: The nutrients are either absorbed by the roots or lost through drainage during watering.
When applying fertilizer to container plants, most often the solution is to mix it into the potting soil twice a month and follow it with watering, or periodically add enriched compost as topdressing. But container plants also benefit from applications of organic fertilizers in the form of well-rotted manure or fish-emulsion liquids. For midseason fertilizing, granular products are convenient and easy to apply. All are a great way to get your plants the three main nutrients they need: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (or N-P-K).
The most common and necessary nutrient in a balanced “plant diet” is nitrogen. It helps leaf development, as well as a plant’s visible health and growth. Nitrogen deficiency shows itself most commonly by turning leaves a pale shade of green or yellow. Too much nitrogen, on the other hand, can delay a plant’s bloom or crop, or even “burn” and kill roots.
Plants need phosphorus for root formation and potassium for hardiness and color. Potash can counteract an overdose of nitrogen. If leaves lack potassium, however, they may become scorched-looking or discolored around their edges. And as with nitrogen, an excess dosage of phosphates can stunt growth.
As a general rule, foliage or leafy plants with limited blooms require more nitrogen, while flowering plants often need extra potassium and a lesser dash of nitrogen during their growing season. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are available in “complete” fertilizer form, separately or in combinations of two.
Before applying fertilizer, however – no matter what kind – always check plant tags for particular fertilizer needs, as well as carefully read and follow all product labels. In addition, make sure the soil is moist and the temperature moderate to reduce the potential for chemical burn or leaf scorching.
For a little guidance in applying granular fertilizer, take the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions. And remember, it’s simple consistent care – from watering container plants and applying fertilizer – that will help keep your potted beauties looking their best!
Fertilizing Container Plants
Fertilizing Container Plants
Fertilizing Container Plants - Step 1
Be sure to pick the correct fertilizer for your specific plant and its particular needs. Then measure the correct amount of fertilizer granules, following the manufacturer’s package label instructions.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Fertilizing Container Plants - Step 2
Apply the fertilizer in a circular pattern around the pot’s perimeter, where most of the plant’s fine hair roots are located.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Fertilizing Container Plants - Step 3
With a hand fork, mix the fertilizer into the surface of the soil until it’s completely incorporated. (This step is particularly vital if children, household pets or birds have access to the plant.)
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Fertilizing Container Plants - Step 4
Water the plant thoroughly until liquid begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. Let it drain completely before replacing it to its display location. Never leave container plants in standing water, and always empty the catch pan or saucer under the pot.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
