CONTAINER GARDENINGJohn J. Pipoly III, Ph. D., FLS

Ideal for Condo and Apartment Dwellers; Saves you from Soil Worries

Why Choose Container Gardening•Limited space small yards, townhouse and apartment living

•Desire to grow organically and control contaminants in soil

•Makes plants easier to transport; change position with decoration or season

•Control of media such as acid loving plants and different soil composites

•Helps control some diseases and insects

Window Boxes Wood, Metal, Plastic or Clay

Terra Cotta or Glazed Clay Pots- can be

Fragile, Expensive,

Tough to clean; must be

sterilized with Chlorine and

dried between plantings

GROW BAGS… the new rage, made of varied recycled cloth or plastics; effective

Cement Containers

Half Wire Baskets with Coco-mat or Sphagnum

Moss Liners

Hanging Baskets

Made from wood, plastic clay or wire

Baskets with Plastic or Organic Liners

Apparel– Plants grown in

Oven MittsWork Boots

“Support “Pantyhose

Pantyhose Plant Pots-so you don’t run out

Of course, with the proper foundation, you can hook up some Stocking “Chia Pet” Imitations that will not sag or bag

Old Tires-Not Recommended

Soil Bag Planter-Not Recommended

Cinder Block- OK but very alkaline

Wheelbarrows, bathtubs or other household fare for that Nouveau

Ordures (new [wave] trashy) look

Plants in Containers on a Pond- be sure they can’t escape

Roof Gardens or Green Roofs

Techniques to grow plants suitable for roofs

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Roof Gardens or Green Roofs

Water Gardens

BE SURE that your water recycles

Container Characteristics• Clay pots are porous; soil dries out quicker. Clay is

easily broken and must be sterilized occasionally.

• Grow Bags enable greater O2 penetration to the roots, to bring nutrients up plant faster; many forms and often made from recycled material.

• Plastic is non-porous and helps retain moisture, but can retain too much if not drained. Plastic is less fragile, but still breaks less easily.

• Wire baskets with either coco-mat or sphagnum moss dry out and need to be soaked in water to prevent extreme dryness.

Right Plant Right Place

Place plants with like needs together

Right Plant Right Place

Keep dune plants separated from wetland plants

What can be planted in containers?Any plants you have hanging around

Things that are “in the bag”

LONG eggplants on plants in various containers

Espalier with Camellia if you feel compelled

Trees

Smaller trees on rooftops….. Including “condo mangoes”

Herbs All in one- shared pots or towers

ADA accessible- note growing boxes called “Earth Boxes” (self-watering) in elevated beds made with white wood

Elevated Bed for Vegetables

Hydroponic trees recycle water efficiently

Vines

Lonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle

Passiflora incarnata Maypop

Water Gardens

Vertical and shelved displays for containerized plants

When planting in containers, buy the best

plants you can findYou can rotate mixes of:

Peat moss ; Vermiculite; Perlite; CompostTopsoil Soils should be light but

provide water holding capacity, air space and good drainage , 1/3 topsoil mixed with compost or plain compost, mixed with peat moss and perlite

How to Plant a Pineapple in a Container

1. Planter or Grow Bag

2. Pineapple top

3. Two herbs of equal water needs

4. Potting media

Supplies needed

Add potting medium Note: There is no need to line bottom of container with small rock or block the drainage hole in any way.

Plant pineapple topPlacing on soil and covering the yellow area with soil

Plant other herbsTest depth by inserting plant in container

Remove plant from container and place in planter, loosen root ball

Fill around plant with soil

continue this process until the plants are transplanted

Add plant tag• Include species name and cultivar if known

• Date planted

Water planter- if you have many, you may want to attach to a “drip” system

Factors Needed for a Seed to Germinate

• Condition of the seed

• Presence of water

• Sufficient Air

• Temperature

• Light

• Soil Conditions

Factors Affecting Germination

• Viability

• Disease

• Deep Planting

• Exposure to Light and Darkness

• Planting at the wrong time of the year

• Dormancy (Plant embryo not mature)

Seed Planting Depth

Small seeds

Medium seeds

Large seeds

Plant ¼ inch deep

Plant ½ inch deep

Plant ¾ to 1 inch deep

Fertilizing Containerized Plants

•Choose natural organic or 50% slow release fertilizers.

•Compost tea is preferred, distributed by your drip irrigation

•Fertilize 3 times per harvest.

Factors Affecting Watering

•Type of Plant (succulent vs. thin leaf)

•Time of Year (rainy vs. dry season)

•Potting Medium (fast vs. slow percolation)

•Type of Container (clay vs. plastic or bag)

•Placement of Container (shade vs. sun)

How to know when your plant is dry.

•The plant will wilt

•Leaves will yellow and drop

•The soil will contract and a crack will appear between the container and soil

•Pots will be light

How to Water•Water with a fine spray for plants with thin leaves; otherwise, use a weak stream at soil level

•Water slowly; minimize how many leaves are wet

•Water until water seeps through hole in bottom of container

•Empty water in saucer do not allow plant to sit in water

Home Made Insect Control Solution

2 Tbsp. of Baby Shampoo, castile or other soap, NOT detergent.

1 Gallon of Water.

Mix Well in Gallon Container & Transfer Small Amount Into Spray Bottle.

Mix

For Fine Oil Spray- OUT of direct sunlight

Add 2 Tbsp. of liquid cooking oil such as Olive, Canola, Safflower, Peanut, or Sesame oil.- Do NOT apply in direct sunlight; may cause some leaf margin damage

Do’s When Using the Insect Control Solution

• Test Spray on a Small Area, Wait 2-3 Days and Check for any Damage.

• Water Plants the Day Before the Application.

• Spray on Upper and Lower Parts of Leaves

• Thorough Coverage of Pest is Necessary

• Reduce Potential Injury by Rinsing Plant a Few Hours After the Soap or oil Spray Application.

Don’ts When Using the Insect Control Solution

Do Not Spray Oil in Heat of Day or when temperature is above 80 degrees.

Do Not Spray Oil on Orchids.

Avoid Using soaps or oils on plants with hairy leaves

If soda does not work use liquid copper fungicide, or NEEM OIL.

Control of Fungal Diseases

Baking Soda Solution

• 1 tablespoon Baking Soda• 1 tablespoon Baby Shampoo or Ivory (bar soap)• 1 gallon water• Shake well to dissolve• Spray on a few lower leaves, then wait 48 hours to see if

plant will tolerate • If no problem, spray on all plant surfaces 

Organic Insect control

Organic pesticides or

Garden and Seed Catalogs ARBICO Organics www.arbico-organics.com Toll free: 1-800-827-2847

Baker Creek Seed Company rareseeds.com

Burpee http://www.burpee.com/home.do Toll free: 1-800-888-1447

Gardens Alive www.GardensAlive.com 513-354-1482

Heirloom Seeds www.heirloomseeds.com Home Harvest Garden Supply, Inc. www.homeharvest.com 517-332-2663

Johnny's Seeds - www.johnnyseeds.com  Toll free: 1-877-564-6697

Peaceful Valley Farm Supply - www.groworganic.com Toll free: 1-888-784-1722

Seeds of Change – www.seedsofchange.com Toll free: 1-888-762-7333

Seed Savers Exchange – www.seedsavers.org  563-382-5990 Seeds Trust - www.seedstrust.com   928-6498-3315 Territorial Seed Company – www.territtorial-seed.com 541-942-9547 

The Cook's Garden -- Seeds & Supplies for the New American Kitchen Gardenwww.cooksgarden.com/home.asp Toll free: 1-800-457-9703

Tomato Growers - www.tomatogrowers.com 888-478-7333 or 888-768-3476

Totally Tomatoes – www.totallytomato.com Toll free: 1-800-345-5977

Seeds of Change – www.seedsofchange.com Toll free: 1-888-762-7333

Vermont Bean Seed Company – www.vermontbean.com Toll free 1-800-349-1071

Victory Seed Company – www.victoryseeds.com  503-829-3126

A Service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division UF/IFAS Extension Education Section

3900 SW 100th Ave, Davie, FL E-Mail: mastergardener@broward.org

Website: www.broward.org/parks/extension/urbanhorticulture

John Pipoly III, Ph. D., FLS, Urban Horticulture & Natural Resource Management Agent rev 4-2015

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