Gardening in containers offers flexibility for people with limited garden space or a lack of time for gardening. Containers provide splashes of color throughout the yard and can be planted with mixtures of flowers, herbs and vegetables.

A large variety of containers are available. Plant in tubs, crocks, pots, barrels, sacks, baskets, bowls, wooden boxes or peat moss containers--anything with good drainage. The containers need drainage holes.

Success starts with a good soil mix. The mix should be light and airy. It should retain moisture and nutrients and be quick to drain. To reduce root rot problems, use the same mix throughout the pot. Commercial mixes that University of Minnesota Master Gardeners have found successful include Redi-Earth, Jiffy Mix, Metro Mix, Super Soil, and Pro-Mix. Another option is to make your own mix.

Use:

• one part potting soil
• one part compost and
• one part sharp sand or vermiculite.

For hanging baskets, use a lightweight mix with equal parts of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.

Plants in containers need frequent watering. They may require several waterings a day during very hot weather. Monitor your plants closely. Clay or terra cotta containers dry out faster than plastic containers. For continuous bloom, deadhead spent blossoms and fertilize with a complete fertilizer. Always follow directions on the label.

There are many plant varieties for container pots. You might start with the following: alysum, asparagus fern, chard, cosmos, cucumber, geraniums, miniature marigolds, parsley, patio tomatoes, peppers, petunias, snap dragons, spikes or violas.

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