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Fall Containers | Windmill Nursery’s
Guide for Fall Containers | Fall, is our favorite time of year, great weather without all the interruptions (rain) and inconsistencies of spring weather. And how can you beat the fragrances of all the flowers and leaves turning color. Fall Containers are much easier to care for too. The heat is gone so plants do not need so much water and what better way to get some color in the yard
during those gloomy winter months.
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| Containers
This is where many people set themselves up for failure. No I am not talking about color or shape. Most of the time the containers are too small, leading to the need of water more than once a day and being fertilized constantly to look good. I have seen the grave yard of old pots down the side of many homes. These failed attempts can be easily avoided by using pots large enough to stay moist and fed during the summer. Larger pots need much less care. By the time you have added up the cost of all those pots down the side yard, the cost of a several larger pots would of saved you more time, energy and Money! Just remember “The more sun exposure, the larger the container should be”.
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| The Concept
When flipping though magazines, you come upon amazing pictures of containers and wish yours could look that good.
The three basic aspects to creating beautifully designed containers: Upright, Filler, and Trailing.
Upright: This is the focal point(s) to the design, your center piece. Grasses, Topiaries, larger perennials, etc.
Filler: They are used to surround the Upright focal
plant(s). Usually annuals make the best fillers, but this is all relative to container size. Fillers need to be smaller than the upright and are usually very colorful!
Trailing: They are used to soften the edges and create more drama to the design by spilling over the container.
The object is to have these three aspects come together so that they complement and contrast each other in a way that is appealing to the eye.
Hanging Baskets emphasize the use of much more Trailing Plants.
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| Soil
Great soil makes for Great Plants. When it comes to your containers you have all the control here. You just bought a wonderful new pot, plants to go in it, and… (I don’t even want to know where you bought that stuff in a bag from…)
If all soil was the same we would not complain about our clay. Great Soils are designed and formulated by persons with PhDs. Great Soils have the right mixer of components for good drainage, holding plenty of water, and full of nutrients. What your plants grow in is what they become. We recommend any of our Potting Soils, but our Favorite is Monrovia’s because it also contains living organisms beneficial to plants and the fertilizer is already in it! |
| Planting
Now you are ready to plant! Not very complicated but still needs to be done properly.
DO NOT PLANT DEEPER THAN THE SOIL THEY STARTED IN.
First fill the container with enough soil so that the largest root ball when placed in the pot has room for watering make sure the soil is packed firmly. Next add more soil to accommodate the smaller plant’s root balls; make the holes just large enough for them to fit and press soil firmly around the root balls. Last pack the soil well BETWEEN the root balls and add more soil if needed. Be careful not to add too much soil.
Watering
Last but not least after planting, Water Your Plants because it is the best way to prevent transplant shock. Make sure to water them thoroughly because dry soil will absorb water away from your new plants.
Young plants usually need to be watered daily for the first week or two, along with a weekly thorough watering to keep the surrounding soil moist.
Once established they will require regular watering up to daily (Depending on size of plants and pot) until cooler weather or it starts to rain. (If it does not rain for 2 or more weeks, make sure they are still moist!)
Fertilizing
Fertilizing will begin several weeks after planting and/or as needed. Fall/Winter plants do not always perform well with the same fertilizer as summer plants. Some nitrogen in fertilizers do not work in the winter when feeding is most important. Nitrogen fertilizers have to be broken down to an available form for the plant to take them up and some of the bacteria needed to do this are dormant when it is cold. Liquid fertilizers organic or not (Miracle-Grow) will work in winter
along with triple sixteen (16-16-16).
Pests
Pests include: Slugs, Snails, and Earwigs which can be controlled with Slugo or Slugo plus (which does Earwigs). We recommend you do this right away after planting and if problems start later.
The only other pest to worry about is Aphids which can be controlled with Oil Sprays if you happen to get them. All of these are organic and pet safe controls. You can use other products also.
Now it is time to choose plants….
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