Creating a container garden is a quick weekend project that provides lots of visual pay-off. The Home Depot's Scott Krueger and Joe Autry give step-by-step instructions to create gorgeous containers that truly transform a patio.
Here's what you'll need:
Large Containers of Various Shapes and Sizes
Plant Food
Potting Soil
A Variety of Perennials, Annuals and Shrubs (see instructions below for inspiration)
Start with a Theme
Think like a painter composing a picture. Consider color, shape and style. For instance, you might decide on plants in dark tones, chosen for their variety of textures and leaf shapes. Don't stop at flowers in a container. Shrubs and perennials are great for year-round container interest.
Place tall plants in the center for height, smaller foliage or shrub-like plants around the middle to fill in and add interest, and vining or cascading plants to drape over the sides of the container. Grouping plants with the same sun and water requirements give them all an equal chance to thrive.
Choose Your Containers.
Opt for a couple of large containers or cluster smaller containers in an uneven number for visual interest. Stack a few on upended terra cotta pots to create an arrangement of various heights. Bigger pots are easier to care for because large volumes of soil retain moisture longer, so you water less frequently.
Fertilize.
Use a plant fertilizer to give you container garden all the nutrients it needs to get established. Refer to the product label for rates of application.
Add Soil.
Pour or scoop potting soil around the roots of your plant to the top of the pot but don't pat down.
Give Your Plants a Watering.
Add water to settle the soil so it's no more than an inch below the rim.
For tips for creating your own container garden, click here.
To learn more about the challenges of container gardening, click here.
To learn more about what plants work best in container gardens, click here.
