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Annuals, Seminars

GA Webinars | Annual Planters – Design, Planting, Maintainance

Posted on by Brandi
GA Webinars | Annual Planters – Design, Planting, Maintainance
13
May

Seasonal planters are fun to create and a beautiful addition to any patio, porch, or balcony that could use a little more colour. You can sit them on the ground, in a stand, hang them, and even use them to spruce up railing. Usually when we thinking of planters, we think flowers. I’d encourage you to think outside the box and consider growing veggies and herbs in plants. Why not mix all three! This is why planters are so great. They’re versatile and quite easy to care for. Don’t be afraid to take chances and get creative. Your planter can be small or grandiose, monotone or a rainbow of colour.

Planter s can also make great gifts! Get the kids involved! They can choose the plants and have fun playing in the soil. Read on to learn more about planters including how to design, plant, and care for them so they’ll last right through until the fall. The pollinators will thank you. The goal here is to make your next trip to the garden centre more focused, and the planting/enjoying part more fun!

 

Planning Considerations

Selecting a Pot

Aesthetically, you may change your mind a thousand times when selecting a pot. The important thing is to make sure your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom for excess water and how it will be viewed in your garden. Decide what purpose your planter will serve. Will it welcome visitors at your front door and need to be tall and showy? Will it be seen on a main stairway and need to be round to avoid harm? Is it the main event on your patio table and need to be wide so it can hold a lot of plants? Do you have a hook that can only accommodate a certain weight of a hanging basket?

Drainage Hole

This is so important. A build up of water in the bottom of the pot can lead to disease, like root rot. Luckily, most planter pots come with a drainage hole at the bottom.

 Size

Think about how tall and wide your pot needs to be. If you’re looking for a statement planter to live at your entryway, then you may need something quite tall. I love entryway planters because you can utilize them in every season by changing out the flowers for grass or winter greens. However, you don’t want to fill the entire planter with soil because that would be a waste of time and money. Annuals roots don’t need much for the growing season, so here’s a tip. Fill the bottom with Styrofoam from the hardware store, and place it at the bottom of the pot as filler. Then, add soil on top of that or purchase a pre-made planter and insert it on top annually. If you’re looking at adding a hanging basket, consider the weight of that planter when it’s fully watered. Will your hook withstand the weight?

Material

Pots can be made out of wood, ceramic, fiberglass, coconut coir, terracotta, and even a repurposed toilet! Yes, feel free to get creative with even the vessel of your planter. Be mindful that some materials will require different habits. For example, terracotta can be tricky in dry climates like Calgary because it’s made to draw water out of the planter. You may need to commit to more watering, and you may need to put it away earlier in the autumn so the seasonal shift doesn’t break it. Also, think about how heavy your planter will be once there’s soil and flowers in it. Ceramic can be heavier than wood pots.

Maintenance

Although planters typically have less weeding requirements, you still need to be able to water, fertilize, and deadhead it. If it’s in a hard to reach area, you may forget it, or may not be able give it proper maintenance. See below for more maintenance tips.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We had a great question at the webinar about reusing pots from previous years. YES, YOU CAN! Empty out the old soil and wash your pots to remove any pests and start fresh. You can use existing soil, but make sure to amend it by adding in nutrients. Flowers and veggies are high production plants, so they need a bit of sustenance. Use fresh potting mix or lighter products like peat moss and worm castings.

Selecting Plants

Examples of Annual flowers & veggies

Always consider sun exposure when selecting plants. How much sun and weather will your planter be exposed to? Here are some examples of plants and don’t be scared to mix and match veggies with florals.

  • Flowers
    • Sun Lovers | Marigolds, Petunias, Osteospermum, Portulaca, Million Bells, Zinnia
    • Shade Lovers | Begonia, Impatiens, Geranium, Bacopa, Creeping Jenny, Fuchsia
  • Veggies
    • Sun Lovers | Tomatoes, Strawberry, Cucumber, Peppers,
    • Shade Lovers | Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula
  • Herbs
    • Sun Lovers | Basil, Lavender
    • Shade Lovers | Chilves, Dill

Selecting Plants

  • Thriller | The showstopper that will tower above the rest… Geranium, Lavender, sunflower, tomato, dill, etc.
  • Filler | “Filling” the middle of the pot… Petunia, marigold, strawberry, thyme, etc.
  • Spiller | These will “spill” over the side of your pot…Bacopa, Creeping Jenny, grasses, etc.

Going back to your pot and purpose… how will this be viewed? If you have a hanging basket, you may want to focus on fillers and spillers that will trail down. If you have a planter sitting on your patio, you may want to invest in those showy plants like Geranium.

How many do you need though? This is always dependent on the size of the planter and how you’ll display the plants. In today’s webinar, Colin stuffed that floral planter full with the intention that he was going to maintain and deadhead it. If you’re unsure, try placing them in the pot while your shopping to get a rough idea. Colin used 6 types of plants for his 16″ planter. If you’re still unsure though, always ask the team at your local garden centre for advice.

Note: In colder climates, like Calgary, it’s not advisable to plant perennials in pots. If you’re only expecting to enjoy them for one year, then these will work great, but it’s very difficult to over winter them. If you dig them up and store them inside over the winter, then they’ll suffer root shock a couple times a year, and may not get that needed dormancy period they’d normally receive outdoors. Some gardeners have had luck with planting the pot in soil outdoors over the winter which is an option, but it’s a lot of work and may damage the pot.

Planting Planters

How to Plant

  1. Gather materials in your workspace. Things will get messy! If you have a heavy pot, consider planting in the place where it will live so you don’t need to move it.
  2. Start by filling your pot a couple inches with soil as a base. Tamp is down, but don’t compact it. Roots need to be able to move and breathe. Use a general potting mix or amended existing soil as mentioned above
  3. Layout where your plants will go.
  4. Assuming you have a “thriller” plant, make a hole the size of the pot and gently remove the pot. Be mindful of delicate roots. Place plant in hole and backfill to rootball level. Don’t worry about tickling the roots or cutting them. This is an optional step and should be done carefully to protect those delicates babies.
  5. Next, plant your “filler” plants, and work outward from there for your “spiller” plants until the pot is full. It’s okay to have leftover plants.
  6. Once all plants are in, water, fertilize, and enjoy. See below for tips.

 

Maintaining Planters

Watering

Check regularly and water as needed. Early morning is the best time to water. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other various pathogens. Caution on weeks where there’s a lot of rain. You may need to cover or transport planters elsewhere. On the flipside, underwatering can lead to poor production of fruits and flowers. On those super hot days, you may need to water 2 or 3 times a day. May sure water is reaching the soil and not just the leaves so the roots have access to it. This is especially important as foliage grows to cover the soil surface.

  • Watering Can (east to mix fertilizer and water evenly) | LINK
  • Watering Wand (For those hard to reach places, like hanging baskets) | LINK
  • Watering Nozzel (For ease in larger areas) | LINK

Fertilizer

It’s always a good idea to start a fertilizer program with your annual planters so they’ll continue to produce until the fall. Fertilizer is essential for some plants, like tomatoes, that are susceptible to pathogens like blossom end rot. For most planters, you can use an all purpose fertilizer, or get specific if you’re growing flowers or veggies. Try to avoid a high nitrogen product and always follow manufacturers directions. Too much fertilizer and you can risk burning the roots. Water soluble is a great option for annuals because you can fertilizer while watering. However, slow-release works well too if you have a busy schedule and need a “set it and forget it” option.

  • All Purpose Fertilizer | LINK
  • Slow-release All Purpose Fertilizer | LINK
  • Tomato Fertilizer (Calcium for blossom end rot) | LINK
  • Flower Fertilizer | LINK

Deadheading

Deadheading is the removal of finished blooms to help the plant redirect energy into producing more flowers. This should only be done with annual flowers and herbs. Don’t deadhead fruits and veggies because that’s where all the magic happens. Deadheading can help stretch your planters into the autumn and help support pollinators. Plus, planters just look better when finished blooms are removed! The idea is to remove the seed pod, so snip away the bloom and discard into the compost.

 

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.