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What will I need for Container Gardening?
Home » Lawn & Garden » Container Gardening » What will I need for Container Gardening?Growing Mixture
Planting medium needs to drain quickly but retain enough moisture to keep the roots evenly moist. Compost makes excellent potting soil. If compost is not available, purchase a good quality potting. Many container gardeners have found that a soil-less potting mix works best. It drains rapidly and is lightweight and free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. These mixes can be purchased from garden centers. When adding soil to your container, leave a 2 inch space between the top of the soil and the top of the container. You will be able to add 1/2 inch or so of mulch later.
Sunlight
A container garden will need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day, and many plants will benefit from even more. The amount of sunlight needed by vegetables and flowers varies depending on the varieties grown. Check for specific sunlight requirements when selecting the plants for your garden.
Fertilizer
Potting mixes drain water rapidly so fertilizer is washed out of the container as you water. Lighter growing mixtures require more frequent fertilizing than heavier mixes. Use a dilute liquid fertilizer with every other watering. Liquid fish emulsion or liquid seaweed are great plant boosters, but remember that plants need a variety of nutrients. Check the labels on the products in your garden center to be sure that they contain a complete, balanced fertilizer that includes trace elements.
Watering
In an exposed setting, container plants loose moisture quickly. During hot, dry weather most plants will need to be watered daily.
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- What will I need for Container Gardening?
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