There are many varieties of plants that you can choose to grow in your container garden. Some of the most popular varieties include Geraniums, Impatiens, Begonias, and Yuccas. You can find terra-cotta pots and liquid fertilizers to help maintain your plants’ health.
Begonias
Begonias are tropical perennials that produce large flowers and foliage. They are easy to grow and have a wide variety of colors and foliage patterns. Begonias can be grown in pots, hanging baskets, and as annuals.
In Texas, it is important to make sure your begonias are planted in a location that receives at least four hours of direct sun a day. You should also protect the plants from direct wind. This prevents the leaves from burning.
Proper care for begonias will allow you to enjoy their beautiful blooms and amazing foliage throughout the season. You can also prune begonias at any time to ensure you get the most out of them.
During the winter, begonias should be placed in a warm place. Once spring comes, you can start pruning back dead flowers and leaves. It is also important to keep your begonias well-watered, but avoid overwatering.
When planting wax begonias, it is important to make sure that the soil is evenly moist. The soil should be prepared with a mixture of organic granulated fertilizer and compost. Work the fertilizer and compost into the top three inches of the soil.
Make sure to clear any rocks and weeds from the area before you plant. Plant your begonias in the front row, spacing them six to eight inches apart.
Geraniums
Geraniums are a classic flower that can be used to add color to your home. If you are looking to plant geraniums in your yard, there are several things you should know.
Geraniums like a moist but well-drained soil. They can be planted in containers and are also popular for window boxes. You can buy geraniums at your local nursery. Alternatively, you can start them from cuttings.
A good time to begin planting your geraniums is in the spring. The ideal temperature for geraniums is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit (10-16 degrees Celsius). Make sure you water them before the ground freezes, as they will not grow much during winter.
After the frost has passed, you should plant your geraniums in a container. Ensure the pot has drainage holes in it. This will help prevent root rot. To help retain moisture, mulch the area around the plant. It will also suppress weeds.
Geraniums love to be pruned. When you see new growth, prune by about one-third. Also, if your geraniums are leggier than normal, trim them down to promote bushiness.
If you live in a warmer climate, you can bring geraniums indoors during the hot summer months. However, you may have to water them more often.
Impatiens
Impatiens are easy to grow and are great for container gardening. They are known for their vibrant blooms. These flowers are also a great choice for hanging baskets or deck planters.
If you want to grow impatiens, you’ll need to make sure you have an area that gets plenty of sunlight. These plants aren’t particularly fond of humid conditions. A good rule of thumb is to give them some shade from direct sun.
You can also get your impatiens started indoors during the winter months. Once the danger of frost has passed, you can move the plant outdoors. Then, you’ll just have to water it.
Unlike geraniums, impatiens are not dormant in the winter. Their seed pods are ripe in the fall and burst open in late summer. In the meantime, you can feed them a balanced fertilizer.
Impatiens can be grown from transplants or seeds. You should place the plant 8-12 inches apart in the ground. Water thoroughly and regularly.
Impatiens can be treated with horticultural oils to help prevent insect pests. However, you should be aware that they can be susceptible to fungal blights and viruses.
Depending on the variety, impatiens can be planted in either part or full shade. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer to help your impatiens flourish.
Wild mint
Mint is a great addition to your garden. It is an easy to grow plant that adds flavor to food and drinks. You can harvest the leaves for teas and herbal remedies. In addition to this, the flowers are beautiful and repel insects, making mint a good choice for your container garden.
One of the best aspects of mint is its ability to spread. The rhizomes are the underground stems of the plant that can spread into great distances. They can produce offshoots, which break the surface of the soil and form a new plant.
The simplest way to propagate mint is by cuttings. Cut a stem from an established plant and root it in water. This can be done over several days, or stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
A more advanced method of propagating mint is by layering. When one layer of the plant is dead, the other will be able to take over the dead root. Another trick is to pinch off the tips of the stems. This will make the plant bushier.
A rust disease shows up as orange freckles on the lower foliage of the plant. Using heat treatment can help control the rust.
Yuccas
Yuccas are a great addition to any container garden. They are drought resistant, and can be grown in containers or on the patio. These plants are also popular as houseplants. A yucca is easy to care for, and has attractive foliage.
It’s important to make sure that the soil you plant your yucca in is well drained. If your soil is not able to drain easily, the roots can rot and the plant will die. Water your yucca regularly.
Make sure that your yucca is in a sunny location. Planting it in a shaded area will cause the leaves to turn yellow. Also, water the plant too much and the leaves may turn brown.
You should also consider bringing the plant inside during the winter. If you have an indoor yucca, it will need less water in the summer.
Red yuccas can grow in partial or full shade, and can tolerate clay and alkaline soil. This plant is a favorite landscape plant in Texas.
You can propagate yuccas from cuttings. Root cuttings can be taken in the winter or in the spring. The cuttings should be placed in a potting soil and exposed to indirect light. After a few weeks, the yucca will start growing new roots.
Liquid fertilizers
A good container garden needs the proper fertilizer to survive. There are numerous types of fertilizer for different plant types. The best choice depends on your goals. You can find out what nutrients your plants need by doing soil testing.
Liquid fertilizers are available at local garden centers. When you’re ready to fertilize your container gardens, follow the label instructions. Most liquid fertilizers should be applied every two to four weeks during the growing season.
If you’re not sure what to buy, ask your local horticulturist or Extension Agronomy Expert. They’ll help you find the right product.
There are several types of fertilizer: synthetic, organic and natural. These are available in both granular and liquid forms. Regardless of your choice, use a light hand. Applying too much can burn your plants.
For example, a common all-purpose fertilizer is 10-10-10. It is a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This can be a useful fertilizer if you are trying to get your garden to grow faster.
Another option is to use a combination of dry and liquid fertilizers. This is ideal if you want to provide optimum nutrition to your plants.
Liquid fertilizers are easier to manage than granular ones. You can apply them with a watering can or hose-end fertilizer distribution system.
Terra-cotta pots
Using terra-cotta pots in container gardening is a great way to add warmth and charm to your garden. Terracotta is a porous material and can absorb water and nutrients from the soil. This makes terra-cotta pots ideal for plants that like dry soil, such as succulents and cacti.
Terracotta containers are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and prices. They also offer a sturdy, solid base for support.
If you are planning to use terra-cotta pots in your container garden, be sure to prepare them before planting. Soaking the pots is a good idea. It provides deep hydration to the clay, and prevents it from cracking or drying out.
The best terra-cotta pots will be well-drained. That means you will need to water more often. Also, the pots should be placed in a protected spot. Leaving them out in the cold or wind can cause them to break. You should also make sure that the potting mix has been properly hydrated.
Terra-cotta pots can be used outdoors or indoors. You can even grow a small tree in a terra-cotta pot. However, they are not waterproof and can break if left outside for a long time in the rain or snow.