Have some fun by planting your own containers

There’s no easier way to add color to a yard than by adding a few beautiful containers full of summer color. And if the cars flowing out of garden center parking lots aren’t a big enough clue, now’s the time to get planting.

There’s no shame in buying a pre-planted container, and garden centers are getting very creative in what they offer, but there’s more fun and flexibility in planting your own, and the process is not difficult.

Choose a container that is a suitable size and proportion for the space you want to use it in, and even though they are more expensive, bigger is almost always better. Larger pots need to be watered less and allow for a bigger floral display.

Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot. If there are small holes or what seems like a small number of holes for the size of the pot, drill more. Poor drainage will kill plants faster than anything else other than a deer or rabbit.

Once you have the pot in its final home, use potting mix to fill it. As tempting as it may be, using garden soil to fill a pot won’t work because it just doesn’t allow for the drainage that is required. Potting mix is usually comparatively light for the size of bag it comes in.

After you fill up the pot with soil to about an inch from the top — you’ll be amazed at how it compacts as you add plants and water, so starting with less soil can lead to plants sitting too deep in the pot — mix in some time release fertilizer. This will be part of a feeding regimen that will keep hungry plants thriving all summer.

Next comes the fun part — actually planting. It’s helpful to lay out plants in the container before planting and make any necessary adjustments before putting them in the soil. Make sure that the plants are well watered before you plant them because it’s difficult to rehydrate a dry root ball once it’s in a larger pot. Unless a plant is quite root bound, there’s rarely need to rough up or “tickle” the roots of an annual before planting.

With all the plants in the pot, fill in any gaps with more potting mix, then water the pot well. You may need to add more soil if it sinks in some areas after watering.

It’s time to water again when the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly until water runs out the bottom of the pot. It’s better to water deeply but less frequently. Expect to water more often as the days get hotter and plants grow larger.

Use a water soluble fertilizer about every third watering for the entire growing season, and don’t be afraid to trim plants that grow spindly. A mid-season haircut rejuvenates many annuals.

Keep those tips in mind and you’ll have a container that looks great for many months.