Every Garden can benefit from the addition of container gardens. They add interst and variety, plus are easily moved around. If you live in an apartment or have a small area to work with this may be the only solution for you.

Your Container

Your container can be pretty much anything and is only limited to your imagination. Just make sure there is adequate drainage for your plants. I love old buckets, discarded kitchen pots and baskets for a rustic feel. For a formal garden choose a more traditional container.

Regardless of your choice of container, make sure it’s not to big or too small for your planting.

Your Soil

Do not use garden soil for your container plants. Garden soil is too heavy, dries out too quickly and will not provide the needed nutrients your container plants need. You can find good potting soil at your local garden center or you can mix your own.

To mix your own make sure you include soil, peat, sand and a slow release fertilizer.

Maintenance

You’ll need to pay close attention to your container grown plants — much more than plants in your garden beds. The soil will dry out more quickly so frequent watering it a must. You’ll also need to fertilize more often. Water in the morning or evening whenever the soil is almost dry and water thoroughly until water comes out the bottom drainage holes.

One thing I really love about container gardening is mobility. If a particular grouping doesn”t work you can simply move your pots and change your garden design.

Have fun, experiment and be creative!

J. Dow has been an avid gardener for the last 15 years. She faces the challenges of New Mexico’s high desert a 6800 feet.
Resource websites are http://www.bulbandseed.com and http://www.agardenwalk.com

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Many factors affect how often you must water your plants. Some of these factors are heat, humidity, wind, season, soil, and type of plant. The following guidelines pertain to plants recently transplanted into the garden. Remember, when transplanting, always be sure the plants were recently watered and are well hydrated before you put them in the ground. Water should be applied around the base of the plant and outwards a distance that is at least one and a half times the distance of the farthest reaching branch.

Water enough so that the soil will become wet throughout the entire root area. This will require a slow, soaking irrigation. Water should be applied only as quickly as it can be absorbed by the soil. Keep in mind your deepest roots will be located below the trunk and limbs of the plant. This area will require more water than the shallower roots located near the end of your farthest watering area. Root depths are commonly 6-12 inches for annuals, vegetables, and lawns: 12 - 24 inches for perennials and shrubs; and 28 - 36 inches or more for trees.

Newly planted plants need to be watered more frequently than established ones. It is hard to “schedule” watering frequency. It is a good idea to check newly transplanted plants every day or at least every other day. If the plants show any sign of wilting, or if the soil begins to dry out (scratch down below the surface to check it), it is time to water. As the plant becomes established, you will not need to water it as frequently, but continue to monitor your plant and soil conditions for the first growing season.

Once a plant has become established most recommendations suggest it will need at least 1 inch of rain (or watering equivalent) every week during your growing season. Fast growing plants will require more water than slower growing plants.

Keep in mind soil type will greatly affect how often you will need to water your plants. Sandy soils do not hold much water, so when you irrigate or when it rains, most of the water percolates rapidly down and out of the root zone. Plants grown in sandy soils will need to be watered more frequently. On the other hand clay based soils hold more moisture which remains available to the plant for longer periods of time. Plants growing in clay soils require less watering.

Hot, dry, or windy weather increase the need for extra irrigation. Newly transplanted plants are most vulnerable and will need more frequent waterings, but these conditions are tough on all plants. Pay attention to your entire garden and water as necessary. It is best to water during the early morning or late evening, but if a plant needs water, water it regardless of the time of day.

As cooler shorter days approach in the fall you can start backing off you watering schedule. However, windy conditions, even in the winter time, rapidly deplete moisture in plants. Giving your plants an occasional “a drink” even when they are dormant, helps insure gardening success.

Signs of “Over Watering”: Too much water drowns the roots and deprives the plant of the food and moisture that the roots are supposed to supply. The first signs of too much water show up in the roots. They become brown and mushy. This is hard to see in the garden, but easy to check with plants grown in containers. In the garden, symptoms of over watering are yellow leaves (generally all over the plant) which will soon drop off. Once this occurs, it is often too late to save the plant.

Signs of “Under Watering”: Too little water deprives the plant of the moisture needed to grow and live. First signs are a slightly washed out color in the leaves, followed by wilting, starting with the youngest and tenderest foliage. If wilting is severe enough, damaged leaves with brown crisp edges may remain even after watering. Very severe wilting in not reversible and plants will die.

If you are in doubt about how much to water use the scratch method to help judge the situation. Using a hand trowel or other implement, scratch below the surface of the soil and check the soil in the root zone for moisture. Moist soil tends to hold together when squeezed, dry soil typically will fall apart. If you judge the soil is too wet - stop watering for a while and let the plant dry out. If you judge the soil is too dry, obviously water it as outlined above.

Cottage Farms Direct
Check us out at http://www.cottagefarmsdirect.com
Click here to determine your hardiness zone: http://www.cottagefarmsdirect.com/hardiness.asp

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1. Water - Over watering and under watering are both bad for your plants. Over watering creates plants with shallow root systems. Without deep root systems your plants will suffer (or die) if they aren’t watered daily. Encourage your plants to develop deep roots so they can take in more water.
Under watering dehydrates your plants. This creates stress and can lead to weakened and susceptible plants. Mulching can help with both of these problems. I like to mulch each spring - I use pea straw - once I have planted seedlings into my veggie plot.
Water your plants deeply about once a week, depending on rainfall - more often in really hot weather. Make sure the water penetrates to a depth of about 25mm (an inch).

2. Mulching - This is a great way to prevent soil erosion, add organic matter to the soil and reduce evaporation. However, you need to leave space around the base of each plant. Mulching right up to plant stems encourages disease and rot to set in. Leave a 50mm (2 inches) between the mulch and the stem. You don’t need to mulch any deeper than 75mm (3 inches).

3. Using inorganic fertilizers - many inorganic fertilizers are heavy on salts, discourage (or kill) earthworms and soil micro-organisms, and only provide major nutrients - nor do they feed the soil. The nutrients give your plants a quick boost, but the fast, sappy growth is very attractive to pests. You might then be tempted to use pesticides (organic or other). Remember that it is better not to have a pest problem than try to solve it.
Inorganic fertilizers can contain heavy metals and other dangerous ingredients. Your plants will be much happier with natural slow release organic fertilizers and compost. These provide the major nutrients as well as trace elements in a form that your plants can use over an extended period. By feeding your soil (with compost and organic matter) you will provide your plants with long term food and create a better growing medium.

4. Overuse of fertilizers - Don’t overdo it. More fertilizer is not better, even when it is organic. Too much can lead to excess plant growth. The magic comes from creating healthy, balanced soil.
A general rule of thumb is to add about 25mm (1inch) of compost to the soil. This should be enough to grow most annual vegetables and flowers. If you are mulching with compost, most plants will not need much more in the way of fertilizers. It’s like eating right and taking vitamins… putting compost in the soil is getting the plants to eat right, adding fertilizer is like giving them a vitamin on top of eating right.
You may need to use more compost or some organic fertilizer until you create good soil. It’s a good idea to do a soil test to see if your soil is around the right pH. Without getting technical, no matter what your soil is like it will benefit greatly with the addition of organic matter. Over time you will achieve the right pH, just by continually adding compost.

5. Failing to plan - Planning is crucial to a successful organic veggie garden. You need to consider the aspect of your plot/s. North facing in the southern hemisphere, South facing in the northern hemisphere is best. If your area is windy, you’ll need to find solutions for this too.
Having water close by is just as important. As well as installing an irrigation system with a timer. It will be the difference between enjoying your garden and being a slave to it!
Knowing and catering to the needs of your family will help you decide what to plant and how many.
If you are planting trees and shrubs, check what their eventual size is going to be. Many shrubs and trees are difficult to move. Trees will grow and make shade, so don’t forget they do this and expect your sun loving flowers to still thrive in the shade. Trees can also grow into power lines, tear up footpaths and even destroy house foundations and septic tanks. Plan carefully before planting big trees.

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia. It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening. This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments. Please visit my website for more great organic gardening tips & information.

Happy gardening, healthy living
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

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