"We provide the plants...you provide the pots."
Planting Tips...
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It's your garden! Use any container you want or can find. There is nothing to stop you from using whatever comes to hand. Plastic pots, half barrels, old water tanks, oil drums, large tin cans, old boots, polystyrene fish boxes - if they hold container soil you can adapt them. Just make sure the container is large enough to hold a good volume of soil (the bigger the better) and has a drainage hole or holes so that excess water can escape.
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There are few plants that cannot be grown in a suitable size container. Feel free to use trees and shrubs, climbers, perennials, ferns as well as the more commonly grown annuals and tender perennials. Don't limit yourself to a few common annuals. Experiment! If all you have is a shady spot then use containers full of shade lovers. If your container garden is sunny but windswept use plants that thrive in these conditions. Whatever the growing conditions; there are plants that can be combined to fit your need.
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Once you decide to grow plants in containers you must never neglect them. Their roots can't escape and seek food or moisture, and the top growth can't travel long distances to seek light. This means that you must give them the right conditions in the first place and continue to provide these throughout the life of the plant. Good container soil should be free draining but also be able to hold moisture.
For best results, we recommend Proven Winners-branded potting soil, which is specially formulated for superior results with all flowering plants. If you grow annuals or tender perennials started afresh each year you should completely renew the container soil each spring. Don't throw the old soil out. It makes good mulch for the garden. For more permanent plants renew the top 2 inches / 5cm of the soil with fresh material as growth starts in spring.
Regular feeding is a must. We recommend a fertilizer that has high amounts of nitrogen and low amounts of phosphate, such as Proven Winners-branded Water Soluble Fertilizer and Controlled Release Fertilizer. If you look at the fertilizer bag, it should have a ratio of three figures, which is called the N: P: K ratio. The first figure should be the highest, because it's the amount of Nitrogen in the in the mixture. We recommend a ratio of about 24:12:17, or anything close to that. A periodic feeding of an iron supplement will also help to prolong plant life and enhance performance.
N; Nitrogen for foliage growth. Remember that with Proven Winner plants flowers are produced on new growth. P; Phosphorous for healthy root development.
K; Potassium (potash) for vigorous growth and disease resistance.
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Never underestimate how much water most container plants need. A large container - 18in / 45 cm diameter or above - will need at least 1 gallon / 4.5 liters of water per watering session. In hot weather this can be twice a day. Gravel mulch helps to conserve moisture, and grouping the pots reduces evaporation, but container plants will need a lot of water in hot weather.
A water expansion polymer can also be added to the soil at root level during planting to help retain moisture. Most Proven Winners varieties like to be kept moist but not consistently wet. They don't like the soil to be too soggy, but they do need a lot of water when they get big. Be sure that when you do water your Proven Winners, you are saturating the soil, rather than simply moistening the top few inches. The plants have deep roots and may wilt if only the top soil is moist.
Evening and early morning are the best times to water because less water is lost to evaporation than with midday irrigation. Remember to water your garden before plants show signs of wilting. Wilting stresses plants and may cause flower loss and poor growth.
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Containers look better in a group. Unless your container is exceptionally decorative a group of containers makes a far better feature than a single pot. Pots can be added and replaced as needed; the planting groups can be refreshed as plants die out, thus creating new designs. One can easily make changes in a single container, replacing plants two, three or more times a year!
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Growing perennial plants in containers combined with annuals works but don’t over do it. This is one of the rules that can be considerably bent but it is worth remembering that plants grow at different rates and some could easily overwhelm their companions. Better to use one or two perennial plant per pot and group the pots.
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Provide winter protection and guard against spring frosts. If you live in a mild climate area, your plants will likely survive the winter outdoors. However you will still have to guard the containers - and the plant roots – from freezing in the occasional bad spell. Packing the pots tightly together under the house eaves or the use of burlap to insulate the sides of the pot and covering the plants if frost threatens should provide the protection needed. In harder winter areas your pots will need to be brought under cover or into a protected area like a garage during the coldest times and gradually introduced the plants back outside as winter turns to spring.
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Don't plant perennial plants in overlarge containers. In order to prevent the roots sitting in water, repot only when the root ball reaches the sides and begins to mat. Then move the plants to containers one or two sizes larger. Keep in mind that it may take a couple of years before the plants reach their final size. Once they do, root and top pruning every few years will help to prevent deterioration. Think of it as bonsai on a larger scale.
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Don't be frightened of using containers extensively. Even a small patio can become a jungle oasis if the containers are arranged well. Be creative and enjoy!
Choosing and Preparing the Right Container....
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Avoid containers with narrow openings.
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Cheap plastic pots may deteriorate in UV sunlight and terracotta pots dry out rapidly. Glazed ceramic pots are an excellent choice but require several drainage holes.
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Wooden containers are susceptible to rot. Redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant and can be used without staining or painting. Avoid wood treated with creosote, penta or other toxic compounds since the vapors can damage the plants. One advantage of wooden containers is that they can be built to sizes and shapes that suit the location.
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Use containers between 15 and 120 quarts capacity. Small pots restrict the root area and dry out very quickly. The size and number of plants to be grown will determine the size of the container used.
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Make sure your pot has adequate drainage. Holes should be 1/2 inch across. Line the base of the pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss.
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In hot climates use light-colored containers to lessen heat absorption and discourage uneven root growth.
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Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.
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Line hanging baskets with sphagnum moss for water retention and keep baskets away from hot afternoon sun.
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If you choose clay pots, remember that clay is porous and water is lost from the sides of the container. Plants in clay pots should be monitored closely for loss of moisture.
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