How to
Grow Container Plants
Organically
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Pot up your garden - flowers
and vegetables, houseplants,
herbs and even shrubs - with
smart organic combinations.
Use all kinds of planters
and pots and outgrow your
sunroom or patio in no time!
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Steps: |
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1. |
Amend a good potting soil to
make it better: 4 parts
good, peat-based potting
soil, 2 parts organic
matter, plus sharp sand,
lime and slow-release
fertilizer. Plan to replace
the soil in the pots every
two years even if you don't
change pots. |
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2. |
Pick plants and pots that
suit each other - avoid
putting little plants in
huge pots or vice versa to
keep root zones balanced
with top growth. Be sure
every pot drains: elevate
them above their saucers on
pot feet or brick wedges.
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3. |
Fertilize monthly during the
spring and summer, less
often in fall and winter for
most plants. Fish emulsion
or seaweed fertilizers have
what most plants need.
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4. |
Watch the sunlight on
container gardens - give
each enough to keep growing
without scorching their
leaves. Transition pots
gradually when moving them
inside and outside with the
seasons. |
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5. |
Keep a close eye on your
plants for pests - pick bad
leaves off, stomp and squish
bugs when you find them. For
bigger problems, see
"Control Pests Organically."
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6. |
Isolate new plants for a
week or so; also isolate any
pots immediately upon
finding signs of pest
problems. If organic
controls fail, dump the
plant to prevent further
infection. |
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7. |
Space pots for good air
circulation around each one.
Harvest vegetables, herbs
and flowers regularly, and
prune plants to shape as you
pick and after blooming.
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8. |
Put a small plant like a
coleus in a small pot amidst
your container garden. Like
a canary that alerts coal
miners to trouble, this
plant will show you the
danger signs of water stress
first. When it wilts, water
all the pots immediately.
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Tips: |
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Water a container so water
pours out the drain holes,
then fill the container to
its top again. |
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Don't use composted manures
in potting mixes for indoor
plants, but do add them to
outdoor planters. The
extra-dense organic matter
will hold lots of water, and
the odor won't be as
bothersome. |
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Feed plants in sun rooms or
greenhouses all year; when
there's less light and less
growth, cut back on
fertilizer and water.
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