Top Tips for Caring for a Container Garden

For those of us with small urban gardens, container planting is a great way to maximize space. But it can be a ton of work! Plants in containers are more prone to disease because they don’t get the nutrients from the soil to thrive and stay healthy. These simple tricks can help replenish the soil life in your containers and give your plants the vital nutrients and minerals they need. 

Container Gardening Tip #1: Weed Control

Always ensure that anything that impedes the plant’s needs and takes nutrients from the soil is removed from the container, including dead stems and weeds.

Container Gardening Tip #2: Aerate the Soil

Container soil can easily become compacted, resulting in less space between soil particles and reduced air and moisture flow. The soil becomes dry and hard, impeding the bacteria, fungi, and other microbial life that a plant needs to survive. Use a garden trowel or stick to poke tunnels in the soil that reach down to the bottom of the container. 

Container Gardening Tip #3: Compost and Fertilizer 

Mixing compost into the top layer of the soil increases organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial organisms. A slow-release organic fertilizer also increases soil vitality, especially for edimentals and edible annuals that are heavy feeders. 

Container Gardening Tip #4: Watering

Water is essential to healthy plant growth, but for plants in containers, it can be a double-edged sword. If the plant dries out too quickly or water pools on top of the soil, this could indicate the container’s drain holes are plugged or the soil has turned hydrophobic. The best way to fix the latter is to soak the entire pot in water for about an hour, allowing the soil to absorb moisture slowly. Remember, too much water can leach essential nutrients from the soil. To protect a container garden during heavy rain, temporarily move the pots undercover. 

Container Gardening Tip #5: Repotting

The best way to revive container soil is to repot the plant in fresh soil. Many experts recommend doing this every 12-18 months, regardless of the plant’s health.

Start by loosening the soil around the edges of the container, then pull on the trunk of the plant to remove it. If the plant is large and heavy, have a buddy on hand to help you with this process. Once the plant is out of the pot, shake off the excess dirt around the roots and clip back the stringy bits of the root network, making sure to leave the bigger, larger roots intact. This won’t hurt the plant and will encourage growth. If using the same pot, rinse it thoroughly to eliminate any salt buildup or bugs before repotting. 

Container Gardening Tip #6: Make a Hügelkultur Container

Hügelkultur containers are an excellent way to enrich soil health and keep plants happy. Before planting or during the repotting stage, add a bottom layer of wood and compost.  Add a layer of potting soil, then place the plant. Add more compost and a top layer of soil. Hügelkultur containers provide a long-lasting, nutrient-rich environment for potted plants.