5 things I learned from planting container gardens wrong 🌸👇🏻 #containergardening #gardeningtips

In my almost 30 year gardening life, I learned a lot through trial and error. Here are five things I learned from planting container gardens wrong.🌸🌸 Choosing the Wrong Container Size – Initially, I used containers that were too small for the plants I wanted to grow. This restricted root growth and limited the plants’ ability to thrive. Particularly in the summer when they would dry out real quick! I learned that larger containers provide more room for roots to spread and access water and nutrients more effectively.🌸 Inadequate Drainage – One of my early mistakes was not ensuring proper drainage. Without adequate drainage, water would accumulate, leading to root rot and unhealthy plants. 🌸 Poor Soil Choice – way back in the beginning, I didn’t realize there was a difference and used regular garden soil in my containers, thinking it would work just fine. However, garden soil tends to compact in containers, which hinders root growth and water penetration. Switching to a high-quality potting mix made specifically for containers improved plant health significantly.🌸 Not Watering Well – Overwatering and underwatering were common issues I faced. I would either drown the plants or let them dry out completely. I learned to monitor the soil moisture levels regularly and adjust my watering schedule based on the specific needs of each plant. But the real game changer? Setting up drip irrigation set on timers. 🌸 Lack of Fertilization – I assumed that the nutrients in the potting mix would be sufficient for the entire growing season. However, container plants need regular feeding because nutrients in the soil get washed out every time you water. Then I started incorporating a balanced, slow-release fertilizer so it is set and forget while keeping flowers happy and healthy through the growing season. And they’ve thrived ever since.