When we get a few warm days at this time of year, the impulse is to rush to Lowes and buy some of their many flowering plants even though we know there will still be frosts. But as always, I start thinking about containers that I can prepare until the threat of frost is over. The containers that I emptied last fall need washing with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria, and checking for cracks, etc. I recently picked up some new tips worth a try.

Last year for the first time, I lined hanging baskets and containers with disposable baby diapers, and it really helped to keep the moisture in. First I trimmed off all the excess plastic from the edges, leaving the center intact. In most cases I cut the diaper in half and laid the two halves side by side, giving me a square for hanging baskets. For larger containers I used two diapers before filling the with potting soil. A tip I learned this year - for large or heavy pots, fill the bottom 1/3 with packing peanuts with a piece of porous fabric so than when emptying the container in the fall you won’t have to pick those pesky bits of Styrofoam out of the soil.

When choosing plants, the rule of thumb is to go for “pillars, fillers and spillers” - not so easy with hanging baskets. First, though, consider how your container will be viewed, from one side only or from every angle. Pillars are the tall plants that will give height, such as grasses or geraniums. Try using ivy geraniums and staking them - they can be very imposing with such a variety of color - and put them in the middle or at the back. Next add the fillers, plants for intermediate height that will fill out, such as miniature roses, petunias or impatiens. Lastly, add the spillers - bacopa, ivy or trailing lobelia - which are plants that will spill over the sides. There are so many plants to choose from, so use your imagination. Maybe flowers in the same color range, or perhaps multicolored leafy plants. Have fun!

Planting evergreens in tubs can break up the dullness for a concrete driveway and you can always put lights on them at Christmas! I like to grow herbs in containers by my back door. Special favorites are mint for fresh mint sauce, and last year eight basil plants kept me supplied with fresh pesto all summer.

Remember, though, that containers need frequent watering, as they dry out in a hurry. Best to water in the early morning, as this discourages the night feeding bugs, and gives them a good start to the day. If the weather is very hot they may need more in the afternoon. Avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers, as the water droplets act as a lens and magnify the sun’s rays thereby burning the plant. Moisture crystals are also available to mix with the soil, which absorb the water and keep the roots moist. I understand that these products are similar to that in the disposable diaper. When summer is over, fill the containers with spring flowering bulbs all ready to start again next year.

source :www.morningsentinel.com