Container Gardening for Big Impact
Container gardening is a great way to beautify your outdoor spaces and satisfy your desire to garden, even in a small space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, mastering the art of container gardening can bring joy and bounty to any space. With a few tips and tricks, everyone can start container gardening for big impact, even on a small deck or patio.
Choose the Right Pots & Soil
Quality pots make a difference when it comes to outdoor gardening. It’s important to pick pots that are made to withstand our shifting seasons here in the Pacific Northwest. At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we source quality pots and make them affordable through our Buy One, Get 2 Free Ceramic Pot deal that is offered year-round.
Out of the thousands of pots available at our stores, we know you’ll find a style that works for you. Start by picking pots with holes at the bottom so excess water can drain out. This prevents your plants from drowning. Then, use good potting soil – not soil from your yard. It has the right blend of nutrients and drainage to help your plants grow well.
Find a Winning Combo: Spiller, Thriller, Filler
A great rule of thumb for creating a visually stunning container garden is to follow the spiller, thriller, filler design principle. Choose one standout plant that is fairly upright in form–the thriller– to serve as the focal point of your arrangement, then complement it with trailing plants–the spillers–to add depth and dimension. Finally, fill in any gaps with smaller, complementary plants–the fillers–to create a cohesive and balanced look. Need some suggestions? Ask our knowledgeable staff and peruse garden websites for ideas on how to use this trio when container gardening for big impact.
Seeds, Starts, & Potted Plants
Seasoned gardeners know that the best bang for your buck comes from growing plants from seed. Some plants are notoriously easy to grow from seed and happily reseed themselves around your garden. Sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, and calendula are great flowers for first time seed sowers to try. However, not everyone has the time and energy needed to tend to new seedlings, and this is where starts and potted plants make the most sense.
Don’t shy away from plant starts. They may seem tiny, but they have had plenty of time to establish root systems and store up energy in their small pots and will take off growing in size and bulk when added to good soil in your container.
Larger potted plants are great for adding to the center of your pot for instant impact. Use these as that central “thriller” and either seed or smaller starts around the outer edges of your pot.
Layering Bulbs for Long Lasting Displays
For continuous color throughout the growing season, consider layering bulbs in your containers. It takes some strategic planting, but the reward is a kaleidoscope of colors from summer through fall.
Bulb options for Spring Planting: anemones, begonias, calla lilies, caladiums, cannas, crocosmia, dahlias, elephant ears, freesia, gladiolus, lilies, ranunculus, and tuberoses.
Hanging Baskets & Pouches
Take your container gardening to new heights with hanging baskets and pouches. These versatile containers are perfect for adding vertical interest to your outdoor space, whether you’re hanging them from a pergola, balcony railing, or porch ceiling. Choose from our huge selection of sun and shade hanging baskets and pouches.
Long Lasting Cool Wave Pansy
Cool Wave pansies are the ultimate cool-season annual. Known for their exceptional hardiness and versatility, these resilient plants can even withstand freezing temperatures and bounce back with vigor once thawed. They are a great option for container gardening, because they will keep pushing out blooms with little effort from the gardener. Just be sure to keep them well-hydrated, especially during hot summer months, to ensure they thrive.
Container gardening offers endless possibilities for creativity and expression, allowing you to unleash your inner green thumb, regardless of space constraints. With our healthy plants, the right tools, and a good dose of creativity, you can create beautiful, thriving container gardens that will delight and inspire for seasons to come. So roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and let your imagination run wild – build your container garden for big impact!
