Pointers About Selection and Maintaining Outdoor Planters

In today’s fast-paced world, people can still connect to the natural environment by gardening with outdoor planters. Gardening is easy, fun and can be enjoyed in nearly every setting. The selection of an outdoor planter can make a statement about your individual style and attention to your plant, flower and vegetable garden.

The right planter in the right place brings style, function and beauty to any indoor room or outdoor location. Outdoor planters can be used as a unique focal point or a graceful accent in gardens, patios, porches or rooms. The secret is finding the perfect planter - one that reflects the owner’s personality and surroundings while maintaining a lasting durability.

Outdoor planters come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, designs, materials and price points, which makes some planters a better choice than others. The unlimited assortment in today’s marketplace, however, can also create unlimited indecision. Knowing a few useful tips can simplify the decision-making process and help consumers purchase planters that will bring years of pleasure. The options are limited only by your imagination.

Before Purchasing a Planter:

• Know the location for the planter (shade, sun, extreme weather).
• Determine the planter’s maneuverability (will it be easy to move).
• Decide what size, shape, style, color, finish and texture you’re interested in.
• Make sure there are drainage holes and/or self-watering options.
• Determine the container’s durability for lasting enjoyment.
• Decide what artistic/decorative impact you want the container to make.
• Purchase containers that reflect your personality and your home’s décor.
• Be in the know about the materials used to make containers. (Learn the advantages and disadvantages of planter materials such as clay, terracotta, concrete, metal, wood, resin, fiberglass, etc.)
• Decide ahead of time where, how and if the container will be stored in the winter.

Nurturing plants, flowers and vegetables in outdoor planters is a joyful experience that saves money, space and time. It can transform boring areas into bursts of color, vitality and even food. As with the purchase of outdoor containers, it’s best to know plant requirements before buying them. Do your research. Plant and hardware stores are glad to help and the internet is a great resource for learning the best container plants to grow in your area.

Container Planting Tips:

• Before planting, arrange your nursery plants while they are still in small pots in and around the container to determine how they best fit. A rule of thumb is to place the tallest upright foliage plant in the center.

• Plant shorter and more compact flowering plants to the side of center and leave enough space between the plants for growth.

• Place the plants that have trailing or semi-trailing growth around the outer edges, leaving space between plants so they can spread.

• Use care when removing new plants from their nursery pots. Never remove them by pulling on their tender stems. Gently loosen or untangle the bottom inch of each plant's roots before carefully spreading them out in your planter. This helps give them a better start in their new planter.

• After planting, additional potting mix can be added. All plant roots should be covered.

• When planting is finished, the soil should be at least an inch below the rim of the container.

Outdoor planters are a great way for beginning gardeners to dig into the botanical world. And best of all, you can take your planter garden with you when you move.