When
the dull days of winter start to ease, we begin looking
for signs of spring, and what better place to look than
in our own garden planters full of dazzling blooms. Bulbs
should be planted in the fall so that spring will bring
a burst of brilliant yellow, deep purple, and pristine
white as daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses reach for
the warm rays of the spring sun. Tulips in their multitude
of colors announce that summer is on its way when the
leaves on trees are just starting to bud.
What
Planters To Use
1. Patio
planters - Any size or style of planters or pots
can be safely used if they are going to rest on the floor
of your patio, deck, balcony, yard, or walkway. You can
choose from formal (heavy iron or stone urns), contemporary
(sleek metal), or informal (terracotta, wicker, wood).
Resin, ceramic, and fiberglass (polyethylene) can suit
any style of home depending on the molds used and the
shapes and styles created.
2. Raised planters -When hanging planters or attaching
them to a wall or resting them on a windowsill or deck
railing, the safety and ease of lifting or moving them
are your big concerns. Choose from fiberglass, light metal,
or plastic
planters. Wooden planters are fine if they are
going to rest on a sill or railing, and you can hang or
rest a metal basket lined with moss or fiber. If your
heart is set on something heavy, like ceramic, make sure
it' not too large.
3. Specialty planters -Ceramic, cast cement, or any waterproof
container can be used to make a water garden or a fountain.
For your herb garden or to grow strawberries and tomatoes,
there are towers, pouches, jars, and pyramid planters.
Choose
Bulbs and Plants for Early Blooming
1. Your earliest spring flowers come from bulbs planted
in the fall.
* Make sure there is a drainage hole in the bottom of
your planters so your bulbs don' drown in rainy weather.
If the planters are sheltered from the rain, make them
moisture-proof so they don' dry out when the weather becomes
warmer by using plastic, fiber or moss liners. Cover the
bottom of the container with small rocks or gravel and
fill with nutrient-rich soil.
* Follow instructions for bulb planting carefully as depths
differ, depending on the plant. Containers should winter
in a sheltered spot, and may need to be covered with straw
if weather is severe. Early spring flowers such as the
crocus, hyacinth, tulip, and daffodil are perennials and
happy to be clustered in one container, requiring about
the same amounts of sun and moisture.
2. If you didn't plant bulbs in the fall, buy plants grown
from bulbs that are ready to be transplanted into your
planters.
* Pick healthy plants with tight buds or no buds at all
so that you can enjoy maximum blooming time.
* Water them before transplanting, and water and fertilize
them afterwards. Protect them by covering them or bringing
them indoors at night for a week or so.
3. Once your flowers have bloomed and died, remove and
store the bulbs for planting again in the fall, and replant
the containers with summer flowers and vines.
4. If planting early flowers from seed, choose those that
bloom in late spring such as the beautiful pink, yellow,
white, and purple primroses. Sow seeds in plastic containers
indoors in late March or early February in a sunny location.
Thin them when they reach about three inches tall and
transplant them into your garden planters when they are
about four inches high. Garden planters should be placed
in sheltered spots on the patio, deck, or balcony where
they are safe from the elements in the early spring, and
if a late frost is predicted, you can move your garden
inside or easily cover it with newspaper or plastic.
Welcome
spring with garden planters resplendent with early blooms
to brighten up your home and your life.
About
the Author:
Scott Gray is currently a garden enthusiast and
freelance writer who enjoys providing tips to consumers
who are in the market for all types of garden
planters.
Also
see: Garden
Planters Will Transform Your Home And Yard
