CONTAINER GARDENING
John J. Pipoly III, Ph. D., FLS
Ideal for Condo and Apartment Dwellers; Saves you from Soil Worries
Why Choose Container Gardening
•Limited space small yards, townhouse and
apartment living
•Desire to grow organically and control
contaminants in soil
•Makes plants easier to transport; change
position with decoration or season
•Control of media such as acid loving plants
and different soil composites
•Helps control some diseases and insects
Window Boxes
Wood, Metal, Plastic or Clay
Terra Cotta or
Glazed Clay
Pots- can be
Fragile,
Expensive,
Tough to clean;
must be
sterilized with
Chlorine and
dried between
plantings
GROW BAGS… the new rage, made of
varied recycled cloth or plastics; effective
Cement Containers
Half Wire
Baskets with
Coco-mat or
Sphagnum
Moss Liners
Hanging Baskets
Made from wood, plastic clay or wire
Baskets with Plastic or Organic Liners
Apparel– Plants grown in
Work Boots
Oven Mitts
“Support “
Pantyhose
Pantyhose Plant Pots-so you don’t run out
Of course, with the
proper foundation,
you can hook up
some Stocking
“Chia Pet” Imitations
that will not sag or
bag
Old Tires-Not Recommended
Soil Bag Planter-Not Recommended
Cinder Block- OK but very alkaline
Wheelbarrows, bathtubs or other
household fare for that Nouveau
Ordures (new [wave] trashy) look
Plants in Containers on a
Pond- be sure they can’t escape
Roof Gardens or Green Roofs
Techniques to grow plants
suitable for roofs
We just missed this VIRTUAL Summit
Redevelopment under BROWARD NEXT may
produce vistas like this
Roof Gardens or Green Roofs
Water Gardens
BE SURE that your water recycles
Container Characteristics
• Clay pots are porous; soil dries out quicker. Clay is
easily broken and must be sterilized occasionally.
• Grow Bags enable greater O2 penetration to the
roots, to bring nutrients up plant faster; many forms
and often made from recycled material.
• Plastic is non-porous and helps retain moisture, but
can retain too much if not drained. Plastic is less
fragile, but still breaks less easily.
• Wire baskets with either coco-mat or sphagnum
moss dry out and need to be soaked in water to
prevent extreme dryness.
Right Plant Right
Place
Place plants with like needs together
Right Plant Right
Place
Keep dune plants separated from
wetland plants
What can be planted in containers?
Any plants you have hanging around
Espalier with Camellia if you feel compelled
LONG eggplants on plants in various containers
Things that are “in the bag”
Trees
Smaller trees on rooftops….. Including “condo mangoes”
Herbs
All in one- shared pots or
towers
Elevated Bed for Vegetables
ADA accessible- note
growing boxes called
“Earth Boxes” (selfwatering) in elevated
beds made with white
wood
Hydroponic trees
recycle water efficiently
Vines
Passiflora incarnata
Maypop
Lonicera sempervirens
Coral Honeysuckle
Water Gardens
Vertical and shelved displays for
containerized plants
When planting in containers,
buy the best plants you can
find
You can rotate mixes of:
Peat moss ; Vermiculite; Perlite;
Compost
Topsoil
Soils should be light but provide
water holding capacity, air space
and good drainage , 1/3 topsoil
mixed with compost or plain
compost, mixed with peat moss and
How to Plant a Pineapple in a
Container
Supplies needed
1. Planter or
Grow Bag
2. Pineapple top
3. Two herbs of
equal water
needs
4. Potting media
Add potting medium
Note: There is no need to line bottom of container
with small rock or block the drainage hole in any
way.
Plant pineapple top
Placing on soil and covering the yellow area with
soil
Plant other herbs
Test depth by inserting plant in container
Remove plant from container and
place in planter, loosen root ball
Fill around plant with soil
continue this process until the
plants are transplanted
Add plant tag
•Include species name and cultivar if known
•Date planted
Water planter- if you have many, you may want to attach
to a “drip” system
Factors Needed for a Seed
to Germinate
• Condition of the seed
• Presence of water
• Sufficient Air
• Temperature
• Light
• Soil Conditions
Factors Affecting Germination
• Viability
• Disease
• Deep Planting
• Exposure to Light and Darkness
• Planting at the wrong time of the year
• Dormancy (Plant embryo not mature)
Seed Planting Depth
Small seeds
Large seeds
Plant ¼ inch
deep
Plant ¾ to 1
inch deep
Medium seeds
Plant ½ inch
deep
Fertilizing Containerized Plants
•Choose natural organic or 50%
slow release fertilizers.
•Compost tea is preferred,
distributed by your drip irrigation
•Fertilize 3 times per harvest.
Factors Affecting Watering
•Type of Plant (succulent vs. thin leaf)
•Time of Year (rainy vs. dry season)
•Potting Medium (fast vs. slow percolation)
•Type of Container (clay vs. plastic or bag)
•Placement of Container (shade vs. sun)
How to know when your plant is dry.
• The plant will wilt
• Leaves will yellow and drop
• The soil will contract and a crack will
appear between the container and
soil
• Pots will be light
How to Water
•Water with a fine spray for plants with
thin leaves; otherwise, use a weak
stream at soil level
•Water slowly; minimize how many
leaves are wet
•Water until water seeps through hole
in bottom of container
•Empty water in saucer do not allow
plant to sit in water
Home Made Insect Control Solution
Mix
2 Tbsp. of Baby Shampoo, castile
or other soap, NOT detergent.
1 Gallon of Water.
Mix Well in Gallon Container & Transfer
Small Amount Into Spray Bottle.
For Fine Oil Spray- OUT of direct sunlight
Add 2 Tbsp. of liquid cooking oil such as Olive, Canola,
Safflower, Peanut, or Sesame oil.- Do NOT apply in direct
sunlight; may cause some leaf margin damage
Do’s When Using the Insect
Control Solution
• Test Spray on a Small Area, Wait 2-3 Days and Check
for any Damage.
• Water Plants the Day Before the Application.
• Spray on Upper and Lower Parts of Leaves
• Thorough Coverage of Pest is Necessary
• Reduce Potential Injury by Rinsing Plant a Few Hours
After the Soap or oil Spray Application.
Don’ts When Using the Insect
Control Solution
 Do Not Spray Oil in Heat of Day or when
temperature is above 80 degrees.
 Do Not Spray Oil on Orchids.
 Avoid Using soaps or oils on plants with
hairy leaves
Control of Fungal Diseases
Baking Soda Solution
•
•
•
•
•
1 tablespoon Baking Soda
1 tablespoon Baby Shampoo or Ivory (bar soap)
1 gallon water
Shake well to dissolve
Spray on a few lower leaves, then wait 48 hours to see if
plant will tolerate
• If no problem, spray on all plant surfaces
If soda does not work use liquid copper fungicide,
or NEEM OIL.
Organic Insect control
Organic pesticides or
Garden and Seed Catalogs
ARBICO Organics
www.arbico-organics.com Toll free: 1-800-827-2847
Baker Creek Seed Company rareseeds.com
Burpee http://www.burpee.com/home.do Toll free: 1-800-888-1447
Gardens Alive
www.GardensAlive.com 513-354-1482
Heirloom Seeds www.heirloomseeds.com
Home Harvest Garden Supply, Inc. www.homeharvest.com 517-332-2663
Johnny's Seeds - www.johnnyseeds.com Toll free: 1-877-564-6697
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply - www.groworganic.com
Toll free: 1-888-784-1722
Seeds of Change – www.seedsofchange.com Toll free: 1-888-762-7333
Seed Savers Exchange – www.seedsavers.org 563-382-5990
Seeds Trust - www.seedstrust.com
928-6498-3315
Territorial Seed Company – www.territtorial-seed.com 541-942-9547
The Cook's Garden -- Seeds & Supplies for the New American Kitchen Garden
www.cooksgarden.com/home.asp Toll free: 1-800-457-9703
Tomato Growers - www.tomatogrowers.com
Totally Tomatoes – www.totallytomato.com
888-478-7333 or 888-768-3476
Toll free: 1-800-345-5977
Seeds of Change – www.seedsofchange.com Toll free: 1-888-762-7333
Vermont Bean Seed Company – www.vermontbean.com
Toll free 1-800-349-1071
Victory Seed Company – www.victoryseeds.com 503-829-3126
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
UF/IFAS Extension Education Section
3900 SW 100th Ave, Davie, FL
E-Mail: mastergardener@broward.org
Website: www.broward.org/parks/extension/urbanhorticulture
John Pipoly III, Ph. D., FLS, Urban Horticulture & Natural Resource
Management Agent rev 4-2015
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