ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk
August 11, 2017
By Jack Goodwin - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY JACK GOODWIN/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Garden art provides personality to a garden setting as shown here situated in and around potted plants. It can be staturesque, angelic, natural, whimsical and/or fun. There are eight animal or garden art critters tucked in this garden setting. See if you can find the squirrel, birds, rabbit, frog, cricket, dragonfly, alligator and elephant in this setting near colorful blooming plants to the rear in medium-size pots.
Variety in plants and pots makes for an interesting garden setting. Master Gardener Jack Goodwin has numerous plants potted in pots of various composition, shape, color, and size in group placements covering a large deck on the rear patio. Shown here in the forefront and on various levels are caladiums in a medium size light resin as well as rectangular clay pot, petunias in a ceramic pot and larger plantings of red hibiscus in a natural-colored pot and pink bougainvillea in a clay pot in the background.
• A lot of plants can be planted in all kinds of pottery.
• Easy to change arrangement of plants for varied appearance.
• Plants with varying sun tolerance can be moved for shade requirements.
• Plants that outgrow containers can be transplanted to the ground.
Garden art angels, statues, critters and many other items can add personality to setting.
(Last session for 2017)
• WHEN: Noon-1 p.m. Monday
WHERE: Pattie Dodson Health Center
2805 N. Navarro St., Victoria
• COST: Free to the public
• Bring your lunch
• TOPIC: "Preserving the Harvest," presented by Carissa Wilhelm, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Health Specialist
To our readers:
Members of Victoria County Master Gardener Association voted in July to renew the agreement to publish The Gardeners' Dirt for yet another year. This begins year 15 of providing horticultural education to the gardening community. Thank you for continuing to read our work.
When we moved to our home in Victoria County, we built a 25-by-40-foot deck on the southwest-facing rear patio. The deck was large enough to accommodate a lot of plants, and there was a large live oak tree growing over the west end of the deck. The tree would prove to be invaluable for providing needed afternoon shade.
A solution for gardening in country
Being a transplanted Iowa farm boy I was familiar with field corn, soybeans, alfalfa and farm animals. Now in our country home in Victoria, I had to deal with country critters such as raccoons, 'possums, armadillos, deer and a few others. I decided pottery gardening on my new deck was a more protected area to grow flowers and vegetables.
Pots expanded gardening opportunities
My early efforts at pottery gardening included using quart to one-gallon size containers with various flowers lined up around the deck rails. A deck rail lined with small flower pots around a huge deck was missing something obvious - and that was significant plants. After going through the Victoria County Master Gardener training, I began buying large five- to 15-gallon decorative pots and large wooden barrels to expand my plant selection.
I started by growing key lime trees, herb garden, camellia, gardenia, hibiscus and other shrubs. I now have a deck full of every kind of flower, herb, shrub, vegetable, tree and decorative plant.
I found that nearly any vegetable grown in the ground can be grown in a pot if the soil depth is adequate.
Exceptions include tomato as well as vining plants, such as squash, watermelon and sweet potato, which require more expansive root area. Cherry tomato does work in a large enough pot. Some invasive plants, such as mint, should be grown in separate pots.
My pottery vegetable and herb garden includes Swiss chard, kale, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, bell pepper, poblano pepper, jalapeno, habanero and other hot peppers.
Mixing plants according to color, leaf, texture, shape and size can add variety to your patio or deck by grouping garden art with them
Garden art is limited only by your imagination. Birds and animals are fun, as are various statues and antique items. You can personalize your area by changing arrangements from time to time.
Requirements for growing plants in pots
Keep in mind four things that are needed to grow significant plants in pots. They include:
1. Select a large container of 5 gallons or more.
2. Depth of soil should be at least a minimum of 12 inches.
3. Use quality potting soil with some organic material.
4. Mulch on top of soil for moisture retention, weed control and temperature moderation.
Roots of plants in containers are subject to the heat of the sun and outside air temperature. They will require more frequent watering depending on the type plant and the material in the pot. Plastic does not insulate as well as clay or some artificial materials. If a pot is exposed to direct sun it will likely need extra water no matter what it is made of.
Pottery gardening is fun, makes you feel productive and gives you an opportunity to use your personality and creative ability. If you do not feel very creative, just move some pots around and group some plants differently and you may surprise yourself.
Pottery gardening can be a complement to your landscape garden around your house. Some garden art used in your pottery garden can be moved to the landscape for a different look. Since you can grow nearly any plant in containers, why not combine pottery and landscape for a different look and feel in your yard?
Variety is the spice of life, and spice may be growing in your garden. Learn from the Master Gardeners like I did in the training course, symposiums, and Lunch and Learn sessions; it will significantly reduce your errors and increase your overall knowledge and success.
What can you grow in a pot? Nearly anything you can imagine, so start imagining and have a great time in the garden.
The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JACK GOODWIN/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Large pots provide a micro garden for numerous types of plants that continue to mature until possibly needing to be removed and planted into the ground. Shown here are a large split-leaf philodendron, blooming red rose and yellow hibiscus plants along with various potted shrubs in the background. Notice the bright, multicolored pot on its side with variegated Algerian Ivy cascading from it in the foreground.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk