You will need to prepare the container before adding plants, and there are various things to consider when getting it ready.

Your container may need to be modified to provide for the growing conditions your plants need.

• Drainage hole

You need a container that has a drainage hole or you need to drill a hole in it. If you absolutely cannot drill a hole in the container, you can still use it by planting in a smaller container that fits into the special one and then putting pebbles or gravel in the bottom. Make sure the planting has adequate drainage. Plantings die from rotting as often as drying out.

• Rust-proofing

If the container is metal and you want to protect it from rusting, you need to spray the interior with a water-sealing product to eliminate the potential for rust development. Otherwise the container may rust after a few months.

Solutions to other concerns

There may be other circumstances that require attention.

• Fill in oversized containers

If the container is large, you may want to fill it part-way with packing plastic filler to keep it light enough to move when needed.

• Seal wood to prevent decomposition

Wooden containers will need to be sealed inside as well as outside to protect the container from decomposing.

• Protect surfaces from moisture

Additional concern, especially if the container will be inside, is protecting the surface the container is placed on from moisture.

Wooden flooring, carpets, as well as furniture can be ruined by moisture from containers. Be sure to put something under the container to protect the surface. You can purchase clear plastic saucers to place under the containers. You might use a ceramic plate or even a thick book.

Choosing plantings

First determine where the arrangement will be displayed. The planting choice will be determined by whether it will be indoors or outdoors, in shade or in sun, if you intend for it to last all year long or be replaced seasonally or if the focus will be the container or the plantings.

After you have decided on the placement of the container, choose your plantings to coordinate with the container and survivability in the setting you have chosen.

When putting plants in the same container, choose plants that have the same moisture, temperature and sunlight needs.

Follow the guidelines for container plantings. Use a very good quality potting mix designed for the particular plants you have chosen. Follow the directions on the bag of the product.

Care of container plantings

• Fertilizing

Plants will survive in containers without fertilizer. But if you want the big, pretty containers you see in books and magazines, you will need to fertilize.

Both organic and inorganic fertilizers provide nutrition to plants. The organic fertilizers have the advantage of being more environmentally friendly and less likely to scorch your plants. Inorganic fertilizers are faster acting and less expensive. Look for slow release fertilizers that break down over time for long-lasting nutrition.

Even if you use the potting mix with fertilizer, once a month give your containers a drink with a water-soluble fertilizer mixed in at half-strength.

• Watering

Both over-watering and under-watering can be disastrous to container plantings. “Rule of thumb” is dig your thumb into the soil to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry at the tip it is time to water.

If you do forget to water and the soil appears to shrink, you can replenish the soil moisture by digging holes in the soil with a pencil and water slowly so the soil is able to absorb the water and swell.

Cutting back

As many potting plants are vigorous growers you will need to cut them back to retain their shape. Pinching back the leggy foliage encourages new growth. Plantings that are trailing may need to be undercut to thin the matting of stems.

Deadheading spent blossoms keeps blooming plants producing more buds.

Enjoy

With an interesting container and appropriate container-gardening techniques, you can have a unique planting presentation. You will soon be looking at every container as something to put a plant in. When your spouse/significant other is cleaning out the garage you can say “Don’t throw that out, I’m going to plant something in it.”