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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-04-16, Page 33The whole family can pitch in when it's time to plant the patio tubs. Many types of bedding plants can be grown success- fully in containers to present a summer garden wherever you please. Use all kinds of containers By John Hughes Extension Horticulturist Ministry of Agriculture Sun decks and patios are popular spots in the sum- ' mertime, and you can make them even more enjoyable by planting flowers in hanging baskets, tubs or patio pots. Container gardens require some special attention because of the small volume of soil used. Under normal ground bed conditions, 'natural soil capillary action helps pull the water down through, the soil. This per - 'milts the essential oxygen to .reach• the root', zone which prevents the plant from drowning. In containers, you must prepare the soil so that there is a good air to water ratio. To achieve a good balance, coarse materials, such as sphagnum peat moss, horticultural grade ver- miculite, coarse sand-- and perlite, should make Pp. the major parts of your soil mixture. Try a mixture of 40 percent peat moss, 40 per- cent vermiculite, 10 percent coase sand and 10 percent garden loam. On a volume basis, this mixture allows a 25 to 30 percent free air between soil pa rticles. The small volume of soil used in containers also limits the root growth of the plants. The plants can't develop long feeder (tap) roots, " so nutrients are used up rapidly. As a result, plants begin to stretch and become leggy. To maintain healthy plants, fertilize ev.eryQtwo to three weeks with a complete water-soluble fertilizer, such as 20-20-20. Use at a rate of 15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) per. 4.5 litres (1 gallon). Most of the better.grades of fertilizer include the .necessary trace elements to -go along with the nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium. The use of mulch is another important element of container gardening. Most people have a tendency to use either a hose or a watering, pan to water pots, tubs* and hanging baskets. These methods supply coarse, heavy streams of • water that cause crusting on the soil surface. The crust prevents oxygen from -reaching the roots, so poor growth results. Coarse mulch, such as medium -grade bark, breaks the stream of water so that it just trickles into the soil ,surface. Side benefitsi•of the mulch include a neater appearance, no dirt splashed on the sides of the con- tainers, and less frequent watering. It is better to give the container one thorough watering than two or three. little ones. Select plants for container garden's carefully.. Although .most plants will do well in containers, the sunlight and •wind may limit your, selection. Another point worth considering is that red flowers, although attractive in the daytime, attend to appear dark at night. If you e artificial lights in the evenings, you may prefer the pink or white flowers. Window box gardening For city dwellers who want to. garden but lack space., window bo# gardening provides a partial solution.. Window box gardening is a' compromise between indoor pot culture and. outdoor gardening. Bob ' Fleming, horticulturist for the Ontario Regular . watering is necessary. Mr. Fleming recommends application of a weak liquid fertilizer about twice a month during the summer 'to keep planter boxes in healthy condition... -__- eul'turc and Food, says it requires skill and care to bring plants to perfection. Window boxes are available in a variety of materials, from redwood and cedar to concrete and plastics. The size and type you choose will depend on the dimensions of window sills and, the architectural style of the house or apar- tment. Mr. Fleming says the most important ingredient to 'successful' window box gardening is the soil mix- ture. He recommendsa moderately fertile, coarse- textured, well -drained soil with adequate organic matter. k - , A good soil mix should consist of equal parts of good garden loam, coarse sand or perlite and leafm. • I . - . • Many plants adapt well -to Some William, nias, zin- dahlia, planter boxes varieties are snapdragons,' wax and tuberous begonias, coleus, sweet geraniums, petu nias, calendula, fuchsia and marigold. � reverit mtly tars -takes- , buy shrubs with care Home ,,gardeners can prevent costly mistakes by selecting ,trees and shrubs carefully, says Bob Fleming, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food hor- ticulturist. or- ticulturist. First decide whether you want to plant evergreen or deciduous types. Evergreens have winter foliage and deciduous plants lose foliage each autumn, If._..you are considering plants for hedges, remember deciduous plants generally grow faster and recover faster from damage than ever -greens. Deciduous hedges can 'be pruned•back • Local nursery staff can help you 'se lett plants suitable for local c timate conditigns. "When'selecting deciduous trees or shrubs which are sold bare root, look' for plants with healthy root systems," says .Mr. Fleming. "The • roots should be brightly colored and plump." If you can't examine the roots, look at the plant itself. Check the plant carefully to make sure it is not damaged. "The wood should be brightly colored, plump and pliable—not brittle," says Mr. Fleming. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted in well -rotted manure. Since boxes have limited soil capacity and are ex- posed to wind and sun; they tend to dry. out quickly. •- •t but evergreen hedges cannot. . Buy trees and shrubs from reputable local nurseries. •• 1 ground is workable. 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