1. Invest in frost-resistant planters so they can be left outside year-round without crackiing.
2. Place your containers into an established foundation planting:  they can be set into the center of an evergreen hedge border, or accenting an entrance or they can define a pathway.
3. Containers are an easy way to gain scale in an urban environment.  Placing an urn on a matching pedestal brings the viewer’s eye up and instantly creates depth.
4. If you aren’t diligent about watering, consider working a polymer like, “Soil Moist” into the potting soil before you plant.  The polymer holds moisture and cuts down on the amount of water needed.  When most containers need water three to four times a week yours will only need to be watered twice a week.
5. Always remember to fertilize.  In our climate, adding a timed-release fertilizer like Osmocote, is all you need to do at the time of planting to ensure the proper amount of fertilizer is released over four months (the life span of most annuals), each time you water.
6. Deadhead spent flowers on a weekly basis.  If you are consistent about pinching off flowers that have already bloomed you will teach the plant to remain in flower production mode.  If you leave the flowers to their own devices, they will shift into seed production instead and you’ll have fewer blooms as the season goes on.
7. Let container plantings dry out between waterings.  The roots need oxygen just as much as they need water so allowing them to dry out creates a healthy environment and better container gardens.  If you keep them too wet, the plants become susceptible to insects and powdery mildew.
8. If you begin to get yellowing in the leaves, it’s a sign you’re overwatering.  If there are crispy, brown leaves you aren’t watering enough or it’s getting too much sun.
9. Containers like to be raised off the ground – on a deck or anywhere else – it’s wise to put pot ‘feet’ under your containers to allow air (and water) to flow as needed.
10. Change out our containers as the seasons dictate.  Most containers look best when they’re refreshed four times a year:  Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

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