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As the weather warms up, you might be longing for a little garden oasis of your own, but you can enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you have a patio, balcony, or a sunny doorstep, you can create a beautiful spot that fills you with joy. If you’ve dreamed of turning a small garden space into a magical garden, but don’t know where to start? Today, we’re going to show you how to create a beautiful container garden without spending a fortune at the garden center. Container gardening is perfect if you’re new to gardening, only have a small space, or just want a lowmaintenance garden that you can enjoy. There’s no need for fancy garden design or landscaping. You can rearrange your containers whenever you like, and you can even take your garden with you when you move. The first thing that you’ll need is obviously containers, but buying new pots can be very expensive, can’t it? A thrifty alternative is to use salvaged items like buckets and ceramic sinks and baskets. Important thing is that they have drainage. If it doesn’t already, then you can drill or poke holes in the bottom so that excess water doesn’t sit and rot the roots. So, I’d really encourage you to visit salvage yards or look on secondhand selling sites to pick up a range of pots that are really cheap. If you would like to buy some pots, we recommend using a mixture of glazed ceramic pots and plastic pots. We prefer using glazed ceramic pots to terra cotta pots as they are more resilient to cold weather. As you can see, we’ve had some terra cotta pots that have fallen apart after freezing and defrosting multiple times during the winter. So, we’ve decided to stop using them and buy glazed ceramic pots instead. They may be a little bit more expensive, but they won’t need replacing every year. Plastic pots are great because they’re cheap and they’re light, so they’re easy to move around without breaking your back. You can move things in and out of the greenhouse to protect your plants from an unexpected frost. And you can also arrange your pots so that you can’t see the plastic ones at the back. So, you now have your pots. You now need your potting mix. But what’s the right potting mix to use in containers? Now, you definitely don’t want to use soil from the ground in your garden as it’s usually much too dense and won’t drain well in pots. We use a compost and perlite potting mix. So compost provides nutrients and moisture while perlite improves drainage and arration for healthy root growth. So our mix is approximately 80% compost to about 20% perlite. One of the first things you need to think about when choosing plants for containers is how much sunlight your plants will get. There really is no point in planting something that needs full sun like lavender in a spot that only gets sun for part of the day. It just isn’t going to be happy. Our patio only gets sun in the late afternoon and evening, so we’ll choose plants that prefer partial shade. To get the most bang for your buck, we recommend a combination of shrubs and some long flowering hardy perennials as these can tolerate cold temperatures and unlike annuals or biennials, they will regrow each spring and save you a few pennies in the process. So, all the plants we’ve chosen today are suitable for partial shade. At the front here, we’ve got this hutera. These come in loads of different colors, so you’ve got loads of different varieties to choose from and they’re evergreen, so you’ll get year round color. I’ve also gone for this array. And I like these because they’ve got the nice height, so they’ll add some interest to your displays. At the front here, I’m not sure how this pronounced, but it’s I think a GM. And I saw this at the garden center and I just thought these little rosy petals were really pretty and it kind of brought together all the color scheme. Over here you’ve got a hydranger. I could fill a garden with hydrangeas quite happily. I absolutely love them. I went for these ones cuz I like these pale green color with the the pink tips. Thought those were really pretty. We both really like hostas. We’ve got we had quite a lot of hostas in our old garden. So, we knew we wanted to put them in the new garden. I’m going to try them in pots. I think previously we had them in the ground, hoping that the slugs will stay away from them because they are notorious for being uh popular with slugs. And then finally, I’ve got this berberous. And again, I just thought the the leaves were pretty. It would kind of go well with the rest of the color scheme. It’s nice to have some shrubs cuz they’re a little bit cheaper. It’s really worth including some gorgeous leafy plants with a range of different colors because they’ll add texture and contrast and visual interest even when flowers aren’t blooming. Plants like hostas, huteras, and ferns are perfect for this. Other than that, it’s really up to you depending on your budget and what you love. Almost anything can be grown in a container. We’ve even got two apple trees growing in large ceramic pots. So, it’s now time to start planting. So, we’re going to start with this beautiful hosta. So, we’ve got the right size pot for it. And if your pot has a large drainage hole at the bottom, then just take a stone or a broken bit of terra cotta. We’ve got plenty of this lying around. and just pop that over the uh over the hole just to stop the compost falling through the bottom. Just make sure that you place it concave down just so that the water can easily escape. If you put only a small drainage holes and there’s no real need to cover them to avoid root rot and to allow for good growth, your container only needs to be slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. And for larger containers, you can fill with several plants. Begin by filling your container with your potting mix. So, you want to make sure that the plant root ball sits an inch or so from the top so you can water easily. Now, we can grab our plant and get it out of its pot and then position it in the middle of the pot like so. Check it’s in the right spot. That’s at a good level about an inch, inch and a half, something like that from the top of the plant. the top of the pot. That’s what we want to see. So now it’s just a case of back filling around with your soil. So it’s a good idea just to uh press the soil around the plant so it’s nicely compacted in there. But you try not to bury the plant in the soil too much. It’s always a good idea to not get too much soil all over your table if you can avoid it. So I’ve done my best to not bury the plant too much and the leaves. So the soil line of the old plant just needs to be where it was before. Okay. So now that Mr. Hosta is in his pot nice and snug, we now need to grab some fertilizer. So contain the plants quickly. Use up the nutrients. So, they will benefit from some feeding to keep them growing well. And the type of fertilizer you use is up to you, but we like to use blood, fish, and bone, which is a good allpurpose fertilizer that the plants will love. So, we’re just going to put about a handful of fertilizer in and around the plant on the soil line. and then just scratch it in. So, you can use a fork or you can use your fingers. If you were a bit more organized, then you could have added the fertilizer to the soil before this point, but it is just fine to uh to scratch it in like this. So, we now need to give this bad boy a good drink. So, rain water is best if you can kind of harvest it, but tap water is fine as well. So, we’re just going to give it a good drink all around the soil. So, this will settle the plant around the soil in the new pot, get rid of the air gaps, and it will also water in the fertilizer that we just added. And there he is. Looking pretty good in his pot, isn’t he? So, now we just need to do eight more. [Music] [Music] You got to go. [Music] [Music] [Music] fish. Oh, sorry. [Music] [Music] [Music] So quite a few of our plants like the hostas and the hydranger have quite a large area of exposed soil. So to remedy that you can use a layer of mulch. So you can use compost or bark chipping is what I’m going to use here to put a layer of mulch around this hydranger for example. So what’s this going to do? It’s going to cover the top of the soil. That’s going to help it retain moisture during hot weather. It’s going to suppress weeds and it’s going to give it that finished look. When you are adding mulch, just try not to have it too close to the crown of the plant because that will have a tendency to rot the crown. You don’t want that, right? So, let’s transform this patio into an inviting spot. Hey, hey, hey, [Music] [Music] Hey, what you think? Doesn’t look too shabby, Mrs. Sheffield. Plants in containers dry out quickly, so staying on top of watering is one of the most important jobs, especially in warm weather. During hot weather, you might want to come out and water once a day, if not twice a day. The mulch you’ve added on top will keep the moisture in, though. Now, any annuals that you plant will need to be replaced next spring or summer. But what should you do with the leftover soil? I mean, it’s lost all its nutrients, so it’s ready for the bin, right? Well, actually, no, because you can easily transform your old potting soil into a mix that your plants will love. And we show you exactly how to do this in the video up here. So, click to watch, and we’ll see you there.
37 Comments
How do you overwinter container gardens?
Im so early! Amazing! Hi Mr and Mrs Sheffield <3
Hello Mr Mrs Sheffield!!!!
Thank You for sharing!!!
Hi Mr and Mrs S I'm even more jealous of your garden now 💚
Another wonderful informative video!! I'm going to sow my Coleus seeds tomorrow. Looking forward to adding some color to my front yard. I love watching your charming videos!
Hello Mr and Mrs Sheffield
Enjoying your videos my self feels like a seating your beautiful gardens,seeing beautiful plants,really enjoying,you both are hard working,thanks ❤
I need to start placing all the plants I put outside on my deck at the rv. Make my little cottage look like a cozy home. Thanks much to you both! Really enjoyed this. Mr. Sheffield – where's a coleus or two??? 🙂
I have a balcony bursting with all sorts of plants, flowers, herbs, strawberries (in hanging containers on the railing) and even four little trees. They're all winter hardy by now, I just move them under the roof and close to the wall so they don't get slowed on. The bulbs and the japanese cherrytree come to life first in March and everything follows. I've a watering hose which I run from the kitchen (where I have a water filter installed) on the hot days when I have to water every day in the morning or late evening. Saves me going back and forth with a water can 😊 🌿💚🌳🌱🌞
I’m looking forward to an updated garden tour.
That barbery might need transplanting to the ground soon. Mine is about 6ft tall
I cant stand the look of plastic containers outdoors. They always look incredibly tacky. Its kind of like using plastic cups as pots for house plants imo, just ruins the entire aesthetic. Or maybe a better example would be like putting fine art on the wall like some cheap poster instead of giving it the frame it deserves.
Using glazed ceramic in a cold climate is great advice. It is far more tolerant of freeze and cycles because the pores are closed. Also, you can do quite a few things with terracotta (or any clay) to prevent them for being damaged.
1. Of course, just bring them indoors is an option if possible.
2. Putting them anywhere, they will remain dry through winter, even just a potting shed. Now in a very humid climate this may not work well unless the shed is kept above freezing.
3. Painting them. Its cheap, artistic, and allows the pores to be filled.
4. Use a sealant on the pots interior.
5. Insulate the pot. There's many more ways, these are just the most common.
I'm really enjoying watching you guys getting into exterior gardening. Maybe a veg patch or 2 will grace us in the future.
Blooms and gardens by cloe says wool off cuts make a great slug barrier.
Love you guys, wish i lived in such a beautiful climate😊
What a lovely mix of Potted Plants Mr and Mrs Sheffield. I like the plant with the pink flowers on top but i didn’t catch the name. That would look good on my patio 😊
@0:49 Just don't try to salvage an old toilet🚽💩…LOL!
You two are a def Dynamic Duo!!
No vermiculite in the containers?
Hi, I live in Canada (zone 3) – is it possible to overwinter my perennials in pots? Love the video –
For that patio you really need a bigger plant or a tree in the corner, to have some layering, it looks empty vertically and bunched up with the pots and plants of similar sizes.
I love this new channel! Though I noticed all of these plants are perennials. It would be a waste of money not to plants those plants in the ground. I live in Canada and they would survive more in the garden. I usually plant annuals and herbs in pots.
What size is your blue Hosta Pot?
Being in Australia, it has never occurred to me that a terracotta pot would break because of winter cold, although it could happen in certain parts of Aus I guess. It just goes to show the different concerns gardeners in different climates have. Your new pots look lovely. Mr Sheffield I think you might need to consider painting or otherwise enhancing the back of the bookcase you can see through the window. Or plonk a big tree in front of it, but that would take away from your indoor light.
Really enjoying your videos and can't wait to see how your garden comes along over the coming months.
Is that lady Mrs Sheffield ?
Thanks and I want to say I have learned alot from your channel
A gorgeous mix of plants and containers. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield, you are inspiring. Enjoy your patio!
Thank you so much. You just solved a problem for me.
Great team work! This video was so nice! Very calm and simply explained! Thanks so much. The pots and plants look so beautiful!! Can you please make a video on how you are going to care for your pitted apple trees. I just planted my first pear tree, but idk if it is going to live!!!! Right now it just looks like a long branch.
A transcript would be nice, especially since you aren't sure how to pronounce some of the plants. Otherwise, nice video tks.
Aw, he called her Mrs. Sheffield ❤
Question: Which outdoor plants can be grown indoors USA Northeast (no garden – apartment)?
That's a beautiful arrangement! I rarely put those kinds of plants in containers! But I never had a porch until I had this one built. 23 years ago! I guess that's why my steps fell in last month! They're not covered like the porch is. My houseplants will fill the picnic table out there. I started taking them out today. I can't get many on my Rollator's seat, so it'll take a while! I don't have anything in my yard, but the family who lived here while I was in Arizona, put Hostas by the front steps. Mama liked them, but I never did, but this Spring they are really pretty! The first one you potted is the same kind. I want to go down the hill to the homeplace & air layer mama's Oak Leaf Hydrangea, it's older than me! Indon't really know how to do it, but igot those plastic forms to fill & put around it's branches. And my big Azalea down there too. It has white flowers, light purple flowers & flowers striped with the 2 colors. People used to argued that the pot had 3 plants in it. I promise it didn't!It's nearing 50 y/old! The Hydrangea is probably 80 or 90 because Mama brought it up from Florida long before I was born! While I was on the porch looking down on the yard, I think I saw some violets coming up in my front yard. I wonder if they're the blue ones or the Confederate ones? I don't care! I love them! I saw some Perilla or Shiso, too. We used to have green & purple. The one I saw looked like they might have mixed, kind of a bronze color! Mama called it wild Basil. It smells wonderful! I never cooked with it because I didn't know it was edible untul a couple of years before I came back home. I wouldn't mind if it, the violets, & the poke sallet took the whole yard! I heard the weedeater this evening! I hope he didn't butcher my poke! 😅 My housemates are in their mid-30's. She knows what poke is, but I bet he doesn't. City boy! My sister got one Tulip Poplar baby to take home with her. She knows what Poke is, but she said, "You don't EAT that?" I sure do! I know how to fix it!
If I were able to do anything anymore, & if I was rich, I'd have all sorts of pretties in my yard. I had antique roses, daffodils, a golden Azalea, & a Mimosa (Persian Silk Tree) out front before I left for AZ, only the Mimosa is left! 😢 i have a volunteer Elderberry beneath the Mimosa! I hope to get the berries before the birds do this year! I'll leave them some! 😂 They'll get most of the blackberries! I want to go down in the woods & see what's there now! I need to quit wishing I could do what I used to do.
I'm gonna hush (i know! finally!) Maybe listen to some Cowsills, they always help me cheer up! Or some other 60's music. Y'all take care! I'll see ya next time! 💜🙏
When I'm potting outside in the ground or a container, I remove the plant from the nursey pot, put the nursery pot in the container/hole, fill around it and press it in, remove the nursery pot, then pop the plant into the mold I've just made. It's easier than trying to hold the foliage out of the way when backfilling and easier to get the level right.
Did I mention what a fantastic video this is? I even saved it to watch again. Great job Mrs Sheffield. ❤💚 Canada 🇨🇦
what would you pick for a balcony in glaring sun, south facing balcony? lol
This is so lovely🥰. Hard to believe you’ve only been there a few months. Can’t wait to see what other plans you have for your garden. I do know it will be exciting.
Does Perlite and Vermiculite serve the same function?
Pop the lid of your soil mix box upside down on the table then put your container on it. When you fill with soil and backfill, the excess will be easier to clean up. Less waste.
Lovely video, thanks, lots of plants I wouldn't have thought to put in pots. I had a good chuckle seeing Mrs Sheffield carting all those hefty (and watered!) pots into place and Mr Sheffield appears carrying two cushions for the sofa – heaves a big sigh as he sits down! 😂😂😂 nice teamwork…… I'm only jealous, I'm on my own and my back doesn't always enjoy my gardening 😐