Garden Anywhere Growing Ornamentals & Edibles in Containers Dara Ballow-Giffen
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Summary Slide 1. Benefits of container gardening 2. Plant selection 3. Container selection 4. Planting 5. Resources
Benefits of Container Gardening Flexible location patio, porch, balcony, driveway, rooftop Better control over growing conditions water, sun, nutrients Fewer animal issues Keep edibles near kitchen Inexpensive to get started Start earlier Less physically demanding no digging/tilling, can be elevated
What s YOUR Goal? Add visual interest to garden or hardscape
Bliss Garden Design (houzz.com)
HomeStratosphere.com
What s Your Goal? Add visual interest to garden or hardscape Take advantage of patio, porch, rooftop space
Robin Ritterhoff
What s Your Goal? Add visual interest to garden or hardscape Take advantage of patio, porch, rooftop space Remove favored plants from critters
Craig Lewis/USFWS Wikipedia Wikipedia
What s Your Goal? Add visual interest to garden or hardscape Take advantage of patio, porch, rooftop space Remove favored plants from critters Grow kitchen garden near the kitchen
SuitePlants.com
What s Your Goal? Add visual interest to garden or hardscape Take advantage of patio, porch, rooftop space Remove favored plants from critters Grow kitchen garden near the kitchen Overwinter plants inside
hgtv.com
Plant Selection Edibles Select container or dwarf varieties Sweet potatoes are great hanging option
Images from Culinary Institute of America Robin Ritterhoff
Plant Selection Edibles Select container or dwarf varieties Sweet potatoes are great hanging option Combine plants with similar light & water reqs Succulents! Change plants seasonally
AskWetAndForget.com
Plant Selection Spring Ornamental: pansy, ranunculus, snapdragons Edible: greens, peas, onions, sweet potatoes hub.suttons.co.uk longfield-gardens.com Mississippi State Extension
JudysCottageGarden.com OweCraft.com
Plant Selection Summer Ornamental: daisies, coreopsis, marigolds, beebalm Edible: tomatoes, peppers, herbs SongSparrow.com KarensGardenAdventures.com ProvenWinners.com
Plant Selection Fall Ornamental: anemone, chrysanthemum, evergreens Edible: greens, kale, crucifers, carrots AmericanMeadows.com AVSO.org AVSO.org AVSO.org
Phormium + Echeveria + Heucherella Sunset
Container Selection 1. Size 2. Location 3. Material 4. Drainage
How BIG should the container be? 1-3 gallons herbs green onions radishes chard pepper dwarf tomato dwarf cucumber 4-5 gallons full-size tomato* cucumbers eggplant beans peas cabbage broccoli *Full size tomatoes best in larger pot
Location Location Location How much for what you want to grow? Full Sun: min 6 hrs, many veg 8+ hrs Part Sun: 3-6 hrs Mobile Moving inside for winter? Hanging
Which pot? Material Pros Cons Terracotta Plastic & Fiberglass Metal Wood Attractive Variety of styles Affordable Retains water Affordable Light weight Attractive Durable Attractive Affordable Insulates Not as porous as clay Dries out quickly Breakable Heavy Not always durable (select outdoor) Can blow over Dark colors heat roots Expensive Heavy Retain heat Rots over time Be aware of treated wood if growing edibles Repurposed Materials Creative & Interesting Depends on material
Robin Ritterhoff
Which pot? Material Pros Cons Terracotta Plastic & Fiberglass Metal Wood Attractive Variety of styles Affordable Retains water Affordable Light weight Attractive Durable Attractive Affordable Insulates Not as porous as clay Dries out quickly Breakable Heavy Not always durable (select outdoor) Can blow over Dark colors heat roots Expensive Heavy Retain heat Rots over time Be aware of treated wood if growing edibles Repurposed Materials Creative & Interesting Depends on material
interiorfoliage.com
Which pot? Material Pros Cons Terracotta Plastic & Fiberglass Metal Wood Attractive Variety of styles Affordable Retains water Affordable Light weight Attractive Durable Attractive Affordable Insulates Not as porous as clay Dries out quickly Breakable Heavy Not always durable (select outdoor) Can blow over Dark colors heat roots Expensive Heavy Retain heat Rots over time Be aware of treated wood if growing edibles Repurposed Materials Creative & Interesting Depends on material
PotteryBarn.com
Which pot? Material Pros Cons Terracotta Plastic & Fiberglass Metal Wood Attractive Variety of styles Affordable Retains water Affordable Light weight Attractive Durable Attractive Affordable Insulates Not as porous as clay Dries out quickly Breakable Heavy Not always durable (select outdoor) Can blow over Dark colors heat roots Expensive Heavy Retain heat Rots over time Be aware of treated wood if growing edibles Repurposed Materials Creative & Interesting Depends on material
EdenEdibleGardens.blogspot.com
Which pot? Material Pros Cons Terracotta Plastic & Fiberglass Metal Wood Attractive Variety of styles Affordable Retains water Affordable Light weight Attractive Durable Attractive Affordable Insulates Not as porous as clay Dries out quickly Breakable Heavy Not always durable (select outdoor) Can blow over Dark colors heat roots Expensive Heavy Retain heat Rots over time Be aware of treated wood if growing edibles Repurposed Materials Creative & Interesting Depends on material
DIYNetwork.com
thecottagemarket.com thecottagemarket.com
Let It Drain Prevent root rot Allow nutrient salts to flush Elevate on hard surfaces Sitting water in saucers > mosquitos Non draining containers Easy season changes Contain aggressive growers Combine plants with different water needs Fill large planter with upside down pot
Get Planting 1. Prepare the container Sterilize 1 part bleach to 9 parts water Add drainage holes Use potting soil. NOT top soil. 2. Watering Containers dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens Water until excess comes out of bottom Water more if: lots of sun, hot weather, lots of wind, small container, porous container Other options: Self watering containers, drip irrigation
3. Feed Frequency depends on plants. Edible or aggressive growth require more food. Options: Mix slow release into soil when plant (2-4 mo) Soluble fertilizer Organic fertilizers Worm castings or Kelp can be top dressed Other organic meals can be incorporated before planting FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. MORE IS NOT BETTER!
3. Integrated Pest Management ***Right plant in the right place*** Monitor Tolerate some damage Look at undersides of leaves Cultural vs Pest problems Determine threshold for damage Least toxic control first FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FOR PESTICIDES
Make it pretty Combine tall + filler + hanging (thriller, filler, spiller) Combine OR Combine Odd numbers of plants shapes, textures, sizes shapes, textures, sizes
BigBadFlower.com
GildedBloom.com
HomeStratosphere.com
Robin Ritterhoff
Robin Ritterhoff
Resources Ideas: Pinterest, houzz Gardening: Grow It! Eat It! http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit Backyard food gardening tips and info Home and Garden Information Center http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic Factsheets, photos, and videos Subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter. Ask gardening questions 24/7 - Ask Maryland s Garden Experts Maryland Master Gardener Program http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg Become a trained MG volunteer!
Our Vision: A healthier world through environmental stewardship. Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective & sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, & communities. 53
This program was brought to you by The Master Gardeners Program of Montgomery County University of Maryland Extension