I Like Gardening!….Its A Place Where I Find Myself When I Need To Lose Myself!
As I start prepping my garden beds for planting I’m noticing a large number of Cutworms in the soil they can be easily identified as they curl up into a c shape when disturbed. These offspring of the Miller Moth overwinter in your yard and then will chew your delicate seedling and bedding plant roots. They can do severe damage and must be controlled and this easily done by using Diatomaceous Earth a natural and inexpensive powder that you can work into your soil around your plants both annual and perennials. Try not to get it on the plant as it will also harm Pollinators and Bees if they come into contact with it. It is safe for animals and humans.
Many people have no garden space , live in apartments or may be subject to a move in the near future. You too can grow a garden with the use of a variety of containers and the sky is the limit. Anything that will hold soil or be made to hold soil will do. Let your creative self have its way! You need not spend money on expensive pots when old kettles, chairs, drift wood, plastic pails and containers, old boots, bird cages, wooden boxes made from woods like cedar that will not rot away can be used. Even old tires can be stacked and painted to make attractive planters. The beauty of containers is that most can be moved to areas of more shade or sun as needed. They can be artfully arranged on porches, balconies, stairs or throughout the yard in perennial beds for an additional burst of colour. Clear glass containers can be partially filled with coloured rock that is used in fish tanks before they are filled with a potting soil. A container that is 18 to 24 inches can hold 5 or 6 plants depending on their rooting systems and growth habits. Old Boots, Dressers, Purses, old fabric sewn into something that can hold dirt all will work well.
It is best if a potting soil is used as it will contain a balanced mixture of vermiculite, peat moss, sand and other organic materials that will allow for good drainage and will be free of weeds. You can also make this mixture yourself with the above mentioned ingredients. Drainage is very important with container gardening as roots will rot and unhealthy plants will be a result of poor drainage. Fertilizing too is an important aspect you can use a diluted mixture of fish fertilizer and water (about a quarter of the recommended amount) as you will use it more often. Use this every other watering which depending on your container will be more frequent than if you were to plant in a garden bed with mulch, compost and manure. If you are using more porous containers such as clay or wood you might need more frequent watering depending if it is in a sunny or more shady place. More plants or faster growing plants with significant root systems will also need more frequent watering. Do not allow your containers to dry out as it is extremely difficult to rehydrate them and your plants will suffer. Container gardening for this reason alone can be more time consuming but well worth the effort. Hanging baskets need not only hold flowers, strawberries and herbs can be very productive as well as attractive in hanging baskets.
Tomatoes are a wonderful plant in a container and it is amazing the amount of Tomatoes you can produce with the right plant. Cucumber too is a great plant to trail up along a trellis or a sweep of netting to trail up a wall. Onion, Lettuce, zucchini and other Squash plants will all do well in the right container.
As for containers as mentioned above there is no end to the variety available and the cost can be minimal or outrageous depending on your taste.
If there is no way to ensure good drainage be sure to put a couple of inches of small rocks in the bottom of the container. You can also make a water garden to grace your deck by lining a wooden barrel half with plastic. Be sure to throw in a couple of gold fish as this will prevent mosquitos from invading your yard. Remember to dead head flowering plants and water the soil not the leaves of the plants to prevent disease and keep a spray bottle of soapy water for when you notice insects on your plants. You can use interesting rocks, pieces of wood, figurines or glass bottles around the edges of the pot or among the plants. Like I said the sky’s the limit when you container plant.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
