Question for gardeners

[Mutley]

What would be some good flowers and plants to get for a container garden? Something that isn't too complicated since I have very little experience with gardens. And if anyone has any good websites for tips and such that would be great too. Thanks!

[peacebird]

1. Indoors or outdoors? sun or shade?

Do you want flowers, greenery, veggies, herbs, or a mix?

[Mutley]

3. Just about anything, really.

Nothing that requires constant light because the outdoor space I have is only lit for 5 or 6 hours a day. I like flowers the most but I could do a mix. I'm definitely a beginner here. :P

[stellanoir]

2. You can pretty much plant any annuals in containers.

Check for the amount of sunlight (full sun, partial sun, or shade) the containers are likely to receive. Go to your friendly neighborhood garden emporium and see what you like that will flourish in that amount of sunlight.

You might want to consider putting some compost in the bottom of the containers for slower acting fertilizer. I use a shellfish compost that is really remarkable. Still containers need to be fertilized even beyond that as they tend to get depleted.

20/20/20 fertilizers work fine. Apply every other week. Dead head the blooms when they pass.

And have fun. I'm sure it'll be beauteous.

[Mutley]

4. Thanks!

Now, when you say fertilizer do you mean a liquid that I drip in the soil (like MiracleGro or whatever)?

And when you say dead head the blooms, do you mean cut them off?

Remember, I am VERY new at this... lol. :7

[peacebird]

6. I use osmocote - just toss the time release pellets in the pot

every two to three months and you are done with it.
And dead heading is popping the flowers off when they are done, I don't really bother much with it (lazy gardener, what can I say) and the flowers i listed will bloom whether dead headed or not. You can pop the off with scissors or you hands.

[stellanoir]

12. I get the granulated stuff like miracle grow

and scoop it into a gallon plastic container and feed biweekly.

As for the timed released pellets, I've never tried them, though some people really like them. But I adore this shellfish compost and my cousin who is a pro did a controlled experiment planting annuals with this stuff versus other fertilizers and boy, did the shellfish compost win out, with greater growth, and a greater profusion of blooms.

"Dead heading" is indeed cutting off the withering blooms, either with your fingernails, scissors, or clippers. It helps the plants regenerate and create more blooms. Especially for petunias, geraniums, and marigolds, the other poster mentioned.

Some coleus can be a great contrast in containers as well. They generally don't bloom but their multicolored foliage creates a phenomenal and striking contrast to flowering plants.

As for being new to this, don't sweat it, it's intensely instinctual and easier than you can imagine.

[Mutley]

13. I hope so!

I'm already worrying over the two little plants I have like an overprotective mother. :rofl:

I will try that shellfish compost. Thanks.

[peacebird]

5. simple annuals for containers

In Maryland I know that geraniums will do beautifully and can tolerate benign neglect. Petunias will provide tons of color. So will marigolds, tho I find their scent annoying. Impatiens provide a nice show, but must be kept watered in the hot months. Those are the easiest most dependable basic flowers for pots. You can add in some dusty miller for a soft white gray contrast.

I'm assuming you wanted "sure things", plants that are easy and forgiving.

[Mutley]

8. lol, yeah pretty much

I would do fine with watering as long as I knew how often watering was needed. I wouldn't have a problem forgetting about it. And yeah, sure things to start would be good. I'd feel really bad about killing my plants. Thanks for the ideas! :D

[peacebird]

16. the plants will let you know when they are in dire need of water

They will go a bit "limp" - in general I would water every other day or so. Watering deeply less often is better than watering a little daily. By deeply I mean water until some water drips out of the holes in the bottom of the pots.
Oh! Pots - you can use whatever you like as long as they have drainage holes in the bottom. Plastic pots with drip trays attached won't dry out quite as quick as clay pots (which let water evaporate through the clay as well) but drainage holes are a must! other wise rain can overfill the pots and drown the plants.
Enjoy!

[peacebird]

7. simple herbs

pretty ands easy to grow include dill, parsley, basil, sage, and any mint you like!

[Mutley]

10. Thanks!

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Some herb and veggie suggestions

Thyme, parsley, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, basil and chives all do well in containers. Basil and rosemary are happier in 1 gallon or larger pots. Since you're a new gardener, buy plants, not seeds. Try seeds next year and start them indoors.

Veggies: if you have large pots (5 gallon or greater capacity)tomatoes will produce well, but pick a determinate variety or a cherry tomato plant. I had success with a cherry tomato plant in a 3 gallon container.

Cukes and zukes are weeds; they will produce even in smaller pots. Look for short vine varieties. Peppers may produce. Look for a miniature variety. For hot peppers, serrano and Thai plants do well in pots.

When in doubt, look for words in the description like 'compact plant' 'short vine' or the obvious, 'good for containers'

[Mutley]

11. Wonderful. Thanks for the ideas!

[elfin]

14. I like that packaged soil that is taliored for containers

Holds moisture really well and has some fertilizer built in.

This year did a container just of green plants - a spiky thing in the middle with all different shades of ivies, potato vine, coleus - so many shades of green from pale ash to lime/yellow to deep glossy. Truned out great and a real eyecatcher. All in a pale grey/green urn. Only splash of color is one maroon coleus.

[Mutley]

18. I did put the Miracle Grow potting soil in with the two plants I bought

and they seem to be doing pretty well so far.

[AuntiBush]

15. Here's a Great Site about Md Gardening from Sailor Online

http://www.sailor.lib.md.us/MD_topics/art/rec_gar.html

You'll enjoy this site. Tons of good links regarding Maryland gardening.

[Mutley]

17. wonderful!

Thank you! :hi:

[AuntiBush]

19. Great Site, huh! Lucked out Finding it.

I knew you'd like it. One plant that seems to grow very, very well in Maryland is the (chopped spelling, sorry) Hasta (?) or Hasianda. I know this is not the correct spelling but close to the how it sounds.

Get the ones w/the thin white lines on the leaves.

As far as annuals, Impatieces(sorry, spelling) do very well, especially in the humidity. Just keep them watered literally every early-evening.

Hope this helps. And :hi: to you, as well! ;)

[Mutley]

20. My fiance got a Hosta.

It's a "Bright Lights" whatever that means, lol. The leaves are light green on the inside and dark green on the outside.


I like it. I'm going to get something else today, I may look again at the Hostas. And yes, that site is great. I learned a lot of good stuff there, and it is bookmarked! Thanks for the tip.

[yanggers]

21. here is another web site

this one is really fun. there are also related topis on that cdomai you might be interested.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/balcony/

don't forget that any container is fine, but watch out for ultraviolet light damaging certain plastics that are not meant to be used outdoors.

[Mutley]

22. Great site!

Thanks! Considering my new place has a nice balcony where I wanted to set up a little potted garden, it's perfect! :hi: and welcome to DU!

[yanggers]

23. hey thanks

yeah I was actually trying to post something so I can ask opinions of people here, but was told I got to build up some replies before starting a topic. oh well I don't mind that at all; I have chance to meet folks.
anyways I noticed my typos there. I meant to say that there are other forums conected to it, such as the container forum:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/contain/ and the regional forums:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/regional/
:hi: