Six Steps for Success: Container Planting

Choose a container, making it the right size for your project. When possible, choose a pot that contains a drainage hole. For pots without drainage holes, plan to place a generous layer of pebbles at the bottom.

Pro Tip – Keep in mind that some plants that grow outdoors, especially vegetables and herbs, start very small but grow incredibly large over the course of a season. For a single tomato plant, for example, you want a container that’s at least 14″ in diameter. Vegetable and herbs plants generally want an entire container to themselves and do not like to be overcrowded.

Fill the container to one-third with fresh Petitti Potting Mix (indoors) or Petitti Planting Mix (outdoors), and moisten it with water.

Pro Tip – Your outdoor planter may have a deep design but that doesn’t mean you need to fill it top to bottom with soil. Employ a reusable Ups-A-Daisy® planter insert to use less soil, reduce planter weight, and ensure good drainage and air circulation.

Pro tip – For outdoor containers, avoid using any of the prior year’s soil that was left in the pot, and instead repurpose that leftover soil into your garden beds as compost.

Position the plant(s) in the center of the pot, loosening each root ball as you go.

Pro Tip – Vary height for design. A mix of elevations makes the combo more interesting. Choose a tall “Thriller” plant for the center. Add a few “Filler” plants around it. Finish with a “Spiller” that will trail out of the pot over time.

Pro Tip – Unlike vegetables and herbs, annual and perennial flowers and foliage plants can generally be packed into outdoor containers together.

Backfill the pot with additional potting mix, gently firming the soil as you go. A granular, slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote®, can be added to the soil at this time. Be sure to leave about one inch of space from the top for watering.

Pro Tip – A slow-release fertilizer will feed the plants for a good 4-6 weeks before reapplication is needed. For a quick, fast-acting boost during the season, water-soluble fertilizers like Miracle-Gro® can also be applied every 2 weeks during the season.

Water it in thoroughly, allowing the container to drain well afterward.

Pro Tip – You can also add Hydretain® granules to help retain soil moisture, minimize any drought stress the plants may incur, and extend intervals between watering.

Maintain watering as needed. For best results, water whenever soil feels slightly dry.