Just about everyone who does some gardening around their home uses pots for some of their plantings.  Pots have the advantage of having a bit more height and versatility since they can be moved from place to place to suit the changing needs of the garden and the landscape.

Essential for most containers is size, you need to be sure they are big enough so they don’t dry out fast but not so large they can’t be transported around for a change in looks.  The next biggest choice is which type of construction you want to have; there are glazed ceramics, cast stone, plastics, metals and terra cotta.  Each of these has positives along with drawbacks; here at Nature’s Friends we can offer some insight into these pots and also what to plant in them.

Next is being sure you use only a good quality all purpose potting mix, this is essential to the life of the plants in the pot.  Do not use soil as it is too heavy and will compact the roots of the plants over time.  You want to fill up the pot within a few inches of the rim to leave room for the plant roots, and then you can always add more soil after planting if necessary.

Before adding plants add in some slow release fertilizer and work it into the top six inches of the soil.  Then you are ready to put in your plants!  Be sure to use some plants with height to achieve a pleasing appearance that is balanced overall.  We can help you put these together to have the best combinations on the block! It’s fun to cram a bunch of plants in there but just keep in mind they are going to need lots of attention and water through the season. If you leave a bit of space for the roots to expand then the pot will be a bit happier. 

Either way you go make sure you water the new plants thoroughly and then continue that moisture all through the season to keep your pots looking fresh!