Annuals in Containers (flowers, fertilizers, butterfly, peach)

[giannit]

Planning to plant annuals in large containers (Diameter 20" Depth 20") on my deck and wondering how much soil to use. The containers have drainage holes at the bottom and a insert to keep the roots from touching bottom.

1) Should I fill the container with soil?
2) Should I fill bottom with 10" (approx) of gravel/rock and the balance with soil?
3) Should I just put a cement block in the container and rest smaller containers (12") of plants on these blocks.
4) Any other ideas???

Also If I do 1) or 2) do I need to replace the soil every 2-3 years?

[J&Em]

Originally Posted by giannit

Planning to plant annuals in large containers (Diameter 20" Depth 20") on my deck and wondering how much soil to use. The containers have drainage holes at the bottom and a insert to keep the roots from touching bottom.

1) Should I fill the container with soil? Yes
2) Should I fill bottom with 10" (approx) of gravel/rock and the balance with soil? No, the latest research shows this does mor eharm than good to the roots.
3) Should I just put a cement block in the container and rest smaller containers (12") of plants on these blocks. No, unless you want to roast the roots
4) Any other ideas???

Also If I do 1) or 2) do I need to replace the soil every 2-3 years?

Answers in blue above.

Recommendations vary but to avoid disease from infecting new plants and to avoid the buildup of salts from fertilizers most often every other year is a good idea. If any plant seems to die from a any kind of fungus or obvious diseases change the soil before the next year and scrub the pot well with something like Lysol or bleach.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by giannit

Planning to plant annuals in large containers (Diameter 20" Depth 20") on my deck and wondering how much soil to use. The containers have drainage holes at the bottom and a insert to keep the roots from touching bottom.

1) Should I fill the container with soil?
2) Should I fill bottom with 10" (approx) of gravel/rock and the balance with soil?
3) Should I just put a cement block in the container and rest smaller containers (12") of plants on these blocks.
4) Any other ideas???

Also If I do 1) or 2) do I need to replace the soil every 2-3 years?

I LOVE potting up annuals, and love them on my porch/deck. It's a great location for our garden parties, because not all weather allows for sitting outside, while we exchange ideas and enjoy fresh churned peach fuzzies and peach tarts! Next week our club will enjoy apple tarts and apple cider!

1) I fill my containers 3/4 full with Miracle Gro soil
2) I put loose stones in the bottom
3) I don't use cement blocks, or other
4) I feed them every 2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer, and once/month I apply a U.S.D.A. approved hormone (to dry soil).

Here are a few photos of annuals I've potted. Cooler weather is just beginning to get to them

[rainroosty]

^^^^ That is beautiful, rdlr! And your methods are terrific! Thanks for the pictures....love the pink bench, too! It's all really nice!

[Butterfly4u]

Giannt,
What plants were you thinking about?
I think I'm buying pansies, they will bloom all winter for me.
WHen its gloomy outside, the cute little faces will be smiling.
If I don't plant winter flowers I get depressed.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Butterfly4u

Giannt,
What plants were you thinking about?
I think I'm buying pansies, they will bloom all winter for me.
WHen its gloomy outside, the cute little faces will be smiling.
If I don't plant winter flowers I get depressed.

We're in Zone 7, Delmarva Peninsula. I plant winter pansies, too, and plant them in the hay racks hanging on the porch (shown in photo) where the neon pink Supertunias are. We're lucky we can enjoy them all winter. In December, I insert some cut pine branches behind the pansies in those hay racks. They seem to LOVE the company and warmth, and they look nice for the holidays!

[Lost Roses]

I've had good luck using empty plastic liter bottles of soda to fill the bottom of the container. Your annual plant roots don't need 20" of soil and you save on using so much Miracle Gro Soil or whatever brand you like. I've been doing this successfully for several years.