Make Your Baskets and Containers Last All Summer Long!

Now that you have your patio and garden looking fabulous for the summer, it’s time to think about maintaining and caring for your gardens. One of the hardest things a lot of our customers find, is to keep your baskets and containers looking good for the long haul. The reason is simple, there is a whole lot of plant material in such a small area, with a small amount of soil. In general, the smaller the pot or basket, the more quickly the soil dries out and needs watering. This can make keeping up with the watering challenging in the summer months. 

The following three points are key in the maintenance and care of your gardens pots and hanging baskets. Those three keys factors are water, fertilizer and other maintenance. We know we have talked about this in previous blogs, but these are the keys to your success....Let us elaborate a little bit for you:

Water

Watering can be one of the hardest tasks in the maintenance of your hanging basket or container garden. You can't keep the soil too wet because it will result in root rot problems, you can't keep it too dry or the plant wilts and dies. You want to hit the happy medium, easier said than done…we know! Here are the rules of thumb we suggest for watering hanging baskets:
· Be sure your pot has drainage holes, to allow the flow of water through your plants
· Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch, or if you give your basket a slight lift, and it feels light
· Water until water comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom
· Don’t allow your pot to sit in standing water
· Early in spring when the temperatures are lower, you may only have to water every 3 or 4 days. As summer approaches you may find you need to water every day. Also something a lot of people may forget about, if it is windy, you may also find you are having to water more frequently specially hanging baskets
· Remember, just because you bought 4 of the exact same baskets, they are all in the same or similar exposure doesn’t mean they all require the same amount of water. Test out the soil prior to watering to be sure, so that you are not over watering.

Fertilizer

Yes your plants are just like us! They require nutrients to flourish, and they are only getting nutrition if you provide it to them. Fertilizing is something that can often be overlooked, but is vital in the success you will have in your garden. We will generally recommend adding a 15-30-15 fertilizer once every one-two weeks. Follow the directions on the fertilizer packet if you are unsure. Everyone has their own methods and things that work for them, so test it out. Click here for more in depth information on fertilizers and what the numbers mean.

Other Maintenance

There are two other things you may want to do to help maintain your basket for the long-haul. First, some plants may need deadheading to keep your plants in bloom. Deadheading is the simple removal of dead or dying flowers. Plants like geraniums and petunias require deadheading more often for a continual bloom, but Lobelia and Allysum are classified as ‘self cleaning’. If you are unsure, simply inspect your plants as you water and fertilize them, and remove the flowers that are spent. This will keep your planters and baskets looking fresh all summer long.

Another issue some people may face is your baskets or planters are starting to become a bit stretched or leggy, and don’t be afraid, this happens even if you are doing everything right! If this happens, it isn’t a bad idea to give your basket a little trim. This is as simple as taking a sharp pair of scissors or shears and trim a few inches off the entire basket. How much you cut off is entirely up to you, a light trim of an inch or two is usually plenty, but there are times when a bigger trim might be needed. Use your judgment. If you have long trailing pieces that you don't like, feel free to cut them off as well. Giving the basket a haircut will rob you of some flowers (which should come back withing a few days to a week given water and fertilizer) but it will increase branching, tighten the habit, and help keep the basket looking good long-term.

Then just sit back and ENJOY!!!

Here is a quick little tip from one of our staff to set you off this weekend.  Don't forget we have our 'SIZZLING SIDEWALK SALE this Saturday June 21!  

Whether you have a small patio or acreage in the country, adding art pieces/accessories that enhance your cherished plants will take your garden to the next level. Choosing art work is a completely subjective process. It's as if your brain steps back and something inside of you responds to an art work. From person to person, everyone has their own opinion and likes and dislikes. And that's as it should be.

Looking and shopping for these items is a large part of the enjoyment. They can be useful as well as decorative such as bird baths, or a small metal bird to perch on your fence, or a large stone sculpture that commands attention. It's fun to go to craft fairs and galleries, and to look at the latest array of styles of accessories at the garden store, or to look for treasures at garage sales. Even better, if you have the opportunity, is to make these items yourself.

There is no right or wrong way of choosing - just please yourself! Your garden already is a creative work (in process always) and by adding carefully chosen accessories or art work, it becomes even more personal and reflective of who you are.

Now go, enjoy your gardens!

-West Coast Gardens

Ever wonder how we plant such gorgeous planters? See how our designers do it...

Container Gardening is becoming the next biggest thing in the
gardening world. You can have the perfect planter to pop in those empty spaces in your yard or on your patio, and add some beautiful colour and texture. You'd be surprised to hear that you, on top of using annuals in your planters, you can also use perennials, vines and even herbs and vegetables!

At West Coast Gardens, we are extremely proud of our container gardening program, and our custom planting program (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION).  We have some of the most creative and talented designers around, who are constantly designing beautiful containers for you!  Our talented designers use our top quality products straight from our greenhouse, to create those perfectly suited planters.  

If you have ever had questions, or wondered how we do it, check out the video below where one of our talented designers, Minna, shows you how its done.  Shes got some great tips and tricks you help you out! (turn up your volume though as it is quiet-something we will work on for future videos:))

It took no time at all for Minna to create this amazing container garden...

We will leave you with this little tip to send you out into your gardens....

MIXING ORNAMENTALS AND EDIBLES

With all the recent interest in growing food plants, gardeners are looking for all kinds of places in which to grow them. Previously, we would divide our garden into the veg/fruit garden and the flower garden. Now, people are discovering that it can all blend together.

That is out of necessity because gardens are becoming smaller, and also because we love the ornamental qualities of food plants. Why not have a blueberry shrub in your flower border? It has white flowers in spring, yummy berries in summer, lovely fall colour, and red stems to admire in winter.

Swiss chard or the feathery bronze fennel or dill plants make great centrepieces for containers which can be surrounded by flowering annuals. The new strawberry, Toscana, has lipstick pink flowers producing sweet berries and would look terrific surrounding geraniums in a sunny pot.

So just keep in mind that the combination of plants needs similar growing requirements, and then blend away!

Enjoy your weekend, and we hope to see you soon in the garden center!

-West Coast Gardens

Your Questions Answered...Edible Gardening 101

There is nothing better than being able to walk out to your garden or on your patio and plucking off a couple tomatoes for your salad, or some mint for your summer cocktails, or strawberries for your kids snack. Growing your own vegetables, fruit or herbs is one of the easiest ways to eat organic, and surprise-its healthy too! But yes we know....sometimes it is easier said than done...

Our hope with this weeks blog is to help you with your edible gardening questions as well as to give you tips and advice to build your gardening knowledge so you too can be successful with your fruits, veggies & herbs.

We sat down with Kim, our edibles guru, and asked her a couple of your questions and couple we thought would be good. Here were her answers:

What would be your top suggestions when starting your vegetable garden, for it to be successful?

The location should be sunny for the majority of the day.
The soil should have lots of organic material in it.

When is the best time to start planting from seed?

It depends on what you want to start. For instance, if direct sowing, peas can be started in January but squashes should be started in late May. When to plant will be written on the seed package. Most people like to get a jump start on the season and start their seeds indoors in April.

On average, how much time does it take to grow from seed? And what are the benefits

Seeds can germinate in as little as two days and as long as two weeks, it de pendant on the vegetable. The benefit of starting from seed is that you get the varieties that you want. You can experiment with unusual or heritage varieties. You also get the satisfaction and fulfillment of growing the food you are going to eat from a tiny seed.

What type of soil or soil combination would you suggest for veggies/herbs/fruit?

For pots, I like potting soil for lots fluffy air filled soil with Sea soil mixed in. A mixture of 50/50. You can't have just heavy garden soil, it compacts down and you get poor root growth.

For garden beds, lots of compost is great.

Are there advantages to growing vegetables in pots as opposed to a garden bed?

Pots are great for people who have space limitations. i.e. condo balconies, smaller town home yards. Pots can also be moved around to get the best sun exposure. The soil in pots also heats up faster than a garden bed which gives the plant an advantage.

Do you have any suggestions to keep the little bunnies, squirrels and critters away?

If at all possible a fence is the best defense. There are a lot different ideas on the internet. From hanging Irish Spring soap to spreading out human hair. What works for some people does not work for others. All you can do is experiment.

For keeping bad insects away from your garden your first defense is a health garden. Keep you garden watered and fertilized. Second defense is a clean, weed free garden. Garbage and weeds are a great place for bad insects to hide and feed. Third defense is to plant veggies, herbs and flowers that will tract beneficial insects.

What does it mean to harden off your plants?

Hardening off means helping your plants adjust from going from a nice warm greenhouse to being planted outside. Hardening off helps prevent transplant shock. Putting new plants outside for a few hours each day and increasing the time spent outside by 1 - 2 hours per day and bringing them in at night is the best way to do this. Your plants will be ready to stay outside in about a week. Tender plants can be planted outside when the night time temperature is 10 degrees or better.

What are the top fruits/veggies/herbs you suggest to grow?

Kale is so easy to grow, usually lasts all winter and is so good for you.

Tomatoes are fun to grow with lots of reward

Squashes are a great producer and you can store them for a long time after harvesting.
But the best thing to grow is what ever you like and will eat.

How do I fertilize?

I recommend an all purpose granular mixed in the soil when planting and then a water soluble fertilizer formulated for veggies on a weekly basis.

What types of edibles would you suggest to plant in a container garden?

Any edible can be put in a container as long as it gets enough water and fertilizer. Tomatoes do fantastic in containers but the container should be big enough to give lots of root space. Potatoes do well in bags. At West Coast we put potatoes right in soil bags and they are doing amazing. They do not take up a lot of space and at the end of the season you just cut open the bag and out spills your bounty.

What type of food should I use for my tomato plants and how often?

There are fertilizer blends specific to tomatoes which we carry in the store. The blend should contain calcium. If it does not then you can just add two crumbled Tums around the base of the plant or crumbled eggs shells works just as well.

When looking at the tomatoes tags, they specify varieties by indeterminate tomatoes and determinate tomatoes. What does that mean?

These terms refer to the growth habit of the plant. 

Indeterminate tomatoes are large plants with a vine like main stock. They grow to heights of 2 m to 6 m. They need staking or caging to support the growth and weight. They continually produce fruit all season and grow until they are killed off by the frost.

Determinate tomatoes have shorter main stock and form a compact bush. They tend to fruit all at the same time. This is a good choice if you want to can or freeze them.


How do I prune my tomatoes?

Suckers are side shoots that grow from the point where the leaf meets the main stem.

Indeterminate tomatoes – Pruning these out make a more manageable plant and put more energy into the fruit forming along the main stem. Snap off or cut with scissors. Must be caged, staked or supported by some means.

Determinate tomatoes – do not prune but keep well supported in a cage, staked or tied to a trellis.
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Hopefully that gives you a little insight into gardening edibles.  Don't forget you can always call us, email us, or comment below with more questions. 

Now for a little about whats going on the garden center.  Don't miss the little works of art for your garden...FAIRY GARDENS. We are the masters in creating fairy gardens, and would love to show you some tips and tricks on how to create your own!  Come see some delightful ones created by Shirley, one of our talented outside staff.

We just received a fresh shipment of EVERGREEN SHRUBS for SHADE - skimmias, rhodos, pieris and sarcococca (sweet box), all in dwarf size.  If you had empty gaps in your garden beds from Nov. to Mar., these shrubs will fill them beautifully.

We also have a rainbow of HEUCHERAS and their cousins, the HEUCHERELLAS, from green & white heuchera Snow Angel, bright yellow heucherella Yellowstone Falls, to burnt orange heucherella Sweet Tea.

Are you thinking of adding a short, neat hedge to your garden design?  We have dwarf boxwood, buxus suffruticosa, 1 gallon size for $9.00 each.

A quick tip to leave you with....

THE MAGIC COLOUR

When you come in and look at the containers that our designers have created, you will notice a certain colour that makes everything around it look better - lime green.  

With its brightness, lime green adds zing to any plant combination, and yet because it is the neutral colour of green, it coordinates with any colour scheme.  

A sophisticated all-white design goes from quiet to wow with the addition of lime green.  A pink, blue and white combo sparkles with lime green.  The hot colours of red, orange and yellow fairly pop with lime green.

Some annuals that have this magic colour are the ipomoea trailers, Mojito colocasia, certain varieties of coleus and the trailing lysimachia plus many more.

Garden beds can also benefit from the addition of lime green.  Consider how much livelier your garden would be if you added perennials such as tiarella Running Tapestry, heuchera Key Lime Pie and campanula Dickson's Gold.

The glowing lime green stems and leaves of cornus flaviramea enliven winter & summer.  The climber, hydrangea p. Miranda, lights up a shady corner even on cloudy days.

Easy to use and versatile, lime green just looks terrific anywhere.

Stay tuned for next's weeks blog!

Enjoy the sunshine:)

-West Coast Gardens