| The value of proper watering cannot be stressed | | | | whole garden hydrated. Remember this tip with |
| sufficient for your container garden plants. Container | | | | geraniums and petunias; keep away from sprinklers |
| Gardens are uncovered to wind and sun so they dry | | | | which spot blossoms. |
| out quicker than plants in the ground. There are no | | | | One thing is definite; you must not dependent on rain |
| accurate systems about watering your container | | | | to remain your container garden plants hydrated. |
| garden plants. You have to become acquainted with | | | | Even heavy showers drop a surprisingly small amount |
| the needs of a range of garden plants. The best tip | | | | of damp, and unless rains are frequent and lengthy, |
| is to check them daily and water the plant when the | | | | you must do your own watering. Remember those |
| outside of the soil begins to look dry. Feeling the soil | | | | window boxes and other containers close to homes |
| will also help you agree on the damp desires of your | | | | or below trees can stay dry in spite of an all-day |
| container garden. Or, take the simple way and invest | | | | downpour. |
| in a water meter if you are not sure. | | | | Though it is necessary to give sufficient water to |
| How much and when to water will dependent on the | | | | your container garden, it is equally important not to |
| type of plant and soil, the type and size of container, | | | | over water and so cause root rot. Over-watering |
| and the amount of spotlight to sun and wind. Climate | | | | also prevents aeration of the soil, and will cause the |
| and the weather also play their part. During hot spells | | | | plant to drown. |
| mainly plants in your container garden require daily | | | | One good technique is to set your container garden, |
| water, except those in small clay pots, which may | | | | if the containers are not too big, in a basin or pail of |
| need it twice. Some plants, like fuchsias and tuberous | | | | water for a number of hours, or until the shell of the |
| begonias, wilt when dry, but geraniums and | | | | soil feels moist (this is the theory behind self |
| succulents are not so sensitive to neglect. On the | | | | watering containers). Or immerse the pot in a tub or |
| other hand, it is good to let soil dry out a little | | | | huge barrel of water and put down it there until air is |
| between watering. This prevents the soil from | | | | eliminated and the bubbling stops. |
| depleting its nutrients. | | | | The top common rule is to soak soil thoroughly when |
| Since unglazed containers dry out fast, watch them | | | | you water and then permit it to go just a bit dry |
| more directly. Wooden tubs, window boxes, and | | | | before you water your container garden again. Best |
| planters dry out more gradually; metal is the unhurried | | | | of all, remain a small spiral notebook and paste the |
| of all. Groups of plants in big containers keep moist | | | | care of every plant into it so that you will always |
| longer than single specimens. An excellent technique | | | | have the needs of every individual plant at your |
| to keep away from excess dryness is to have | | | | fingertips. |
| groupings of plants, set close together. This allows | | | | If you go away for extended periods during the |
| the container plants to shade one another to sustain | | | | summer, give the container garden serious thought |
| cool and stop damp evaporation. | | | | before making it a project. On the other hand, you |
| There are numerous methods of watering the plants. | | | | can enjoy both holidays and plants if you are not |
| If you have various containers in your container | | | | present for only small periods. The best safeguard is |
| garden, depend on the hose, allowing water to flow | | | | to entrust your container garden to a responsible |
| through unhurriedly and smoothly. Water small pots | | | | friend. Or if you are going away for a vacation at |
| with a watering can that has a long spout or buy one | | | | your other home, or one that you have rented, take |
| of the self watering boxes now available. When | | | | the container garden with you as a little bit of home. |
| plants are grouping closely in a container garden, set | | | | Many techniques can be practiced. One is to organize |
| up a sprinkler or hose with a fine spray nearby, | | | | smaller containers in boxes of peat moss, sawdust, |
| allowing it to run for an extended while, until the soil | | | | or soil that has been well dry. Then there is the |
| is dry. In several states where the climate is dry, an | | | | pot-in-pot system, whereby small pots are set in |
| automatic sprinkler system is a must to remain your | | | | bigger ones, with moist peat moss inserted between. |