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Keeping Planters Over Winter?I have big glazed clay pots that I would like to leave outdoors in the winter. I want to put spruce tips in them. Can I leave the soil in the pots without having them crack? I have seen others do it but, do they put sand in the pots?

 

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Growing Tomato Plants in Buckets?I am going to plant tomato plants in 5 gallon buckets. Any special advice to make it work?

 

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Planting Hydrangea in Pots?I have some hydrangea plants which are ready to plant out and two large (approx 30 cms) diameter pots full of ericaeous compost. Would this be suitable for growing them in?

 

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Container Gardening in Plastic Storage Boxes?The dirt in my small yard is quite hard and clay-like, so I thought I would try container gardening. I have several Rubbermaid storage boxes I thought I could use, but I want to make sure I do it successfully.

 

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Good Drainage Material for Garden Pots?I am wondering would I be able to use normal barbecue charcoal to act as drainage in my garden pots?

 

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Wick Watering Container Plants?How do I use for wick watering container plants?

 

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Browse Questions

Staking Tomatoes In a Kiddie Pool?How do I stake up my tomato plants in this little kiddy pool?

 

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Using Coconut Planter Inserts?What to use to keep coconut inserts in flower pots from dripping out bottom.

 

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Tips of Potted Hydrangea Turning Brown?I got a new hydrangea (runaway bride) and put it a large pot with half garden soil and half ericaceous. The leaves keep turning brown at the ends. I gave it a good watering in the soil and am keeping it indoors for now with the frosts. Any idea why this is happening please?

 

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Plant Similar to Tractor Seat Plant for a Sunnier Location?I think this plant is beautiful. Unfortunately, where I would like to put the plant gets too much sun. Can you recommend something else, similar, to put in two large pots?

 

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Problems Growing Morning Glory in a Planter Box?I have 2 problems with my morning glories grown in a planter box. I can't keep enough water on them. Unless I completely fill the box with water 2 or 3 times a day (such that water comes out the drainage holes), the leaves wilt. They are also growing taller than the trellis.

 

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Using Wicks for Watering Plants?Thank you for the detailed explanation on using wicks for watering plants when away. I live the the United Kingdom and I have had a lot of frustration trying to get a suitable material to use as a wick with my used/saved milk jugs which I intend to use as my water reservoir.

 

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Using Shredded Paper to Fill Flower Pot?I have some rather large flower pots and was wondering if I could fill them part way with shredded paper.

 

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Growing Tomatoes in Containers?What will wick vertically 16", enough for a tomato grown in a 5 gal. pot in 100 degrees, and last 5+ years?

 

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Growing Red Fountain Grass in Pots?I planted red fountain grasses in a pot and it has not grown tall like it should have. All the other plants in the pot are doing fine. Did I plant the grass too deep?

 

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Growing Vining Plants in Hanging Baskets?I was just wondering if anybody has planted moonflowers or morning glories in hanging baskets? Will they hang down instead of climb up? Should I get some twine and hang over the edges so that they have something to hang onto?

 

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Caring for Hanging flower Baskets?I always see these beautiful hanging baskets at the stands and the flowers just flow and are full and rounded. My question is how do you maintain the flowers to keep this full rounded shape over the summer? Mine always seem to get straggly and thin even when keeping them watered.

 

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Building Raised Vegetable Beds?I want to build a raised vegetable box in my yard, but have dogs next door and because my yard runs on an angle all their urine runs through my yard. Will my vegetables be afflicted by that? How do I get rid of the smell?

 

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Growing Annuals in Containers?Is it possible to grow flowers in containers sitting in a hole in the ground? The soil around our house is mixed with clay and is rocky. Finances prevent me from replacing that soil with properly amended soil. Is it possible to set a flowerpot down in the ground to put annuals in for the summer?

 

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Growing Sunflowers from Seed in Containers?I planted my seeds and they immediately started growing. It says "trim" at 4". I don't know what "trim" means. Next, where do the sunflowers bloom. All I have right now is really tall green plants, but no blooms. I'm so lost.

 

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Growing Tomatoes in Container?This is my first experience in growing tomato plants in a 5 gallon plastic container. Do I punch holes in the bottom for drainage? I need guidance on this project.

 

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Growing a Hydrangea in a Copper Pot?Will planting a maple leaf hydrangea in a large copper pot effect it in any way, for example its growth?

 

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Cinder Block Gardening?How do you prepare the cinder block before planting? Do you put any protection at the bottom of the cinder block e.g. plastic or cardboard or both, then top up with soil?

 

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Growing Sunflowers?Does anyone have an idea how a sunflower can grow stronger and faster? Please help. We have very strong heavy rains here.

 

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Growing Sunflowers?I planted sunflower seeds in a pot on August 12 and watered it. Now it is August 15 and I tried to dig them up to see if it is already sprouted and it is! But now there's a very, very strong heavy rain. I know that a sunflower needs to be under the sun to grow.

 

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Growing Tomatoes in Containers?What size container and how much soil will I need?

 

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Growing Vegetables in Plastic Containers?I grew vegetables in plastic containers this year. And somebody said eating veggies from plastic containers isn't healthy. I got these at the flea market. I suspect they came from a nursery. Am I OK to eat these as I did this year?

 

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Adding Protective Inserts to Window Boxes?I always enjoy Ellen's gardening contributions to the Thriftyfun column and just subscribed to the newsletter. Is there an advantage or disadvantage to having the window boxes built to hold a purchased porch/window box as an insert?

 

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Growing Cantaloupes in Containers?I have a very healthy cantaloupe plant growing in a moveable planter that is full of flowers, it has one fruit growing really well that seems to double in size every couple days.

 

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Planting Cedars in Containers?Can I plant a six foot cedar in a container? If so, how large should the container be?

 

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Growing Tomatoes in Containers?How often do you have to change the potting soil used to grow tomatoes in large pots on a patio?

 

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How to Insulate Galvanized Steel Gardening Tubs?We have some galvanized steel tubs that we were told need to be insulated from heating the soil. We don't have bubble wrap as suggested. Is there something else that we could use? Also any other helpful information about planting in these tubs would be appreciated.

 

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Growing Tomatoes in Containers?I am planning on planting in five gallon containers. Before planting my tomato plants in plastic containers should I cut holes in bottom for drainage?

 

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When is the Best Time of Day to Water Container Plants?I have containers for flowering plants. What's the best time of day to water?

 

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Choosing Container Plants for a North Facing Balcony?I would like to have ideas for what to plant in a large planter pot for our north facing balcony. We get very limited sun and live in zone 5B.

 

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Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers?How do I grow cherry tomatoes in a container? I travel by RV and I was wondering if I can grow cherry tomatoes in one of those plastic (20 gallon) containers? Do I have to fertilize often? Your input will be much appreciated.

 

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Soil Suggestions for a Balcony Vegetable Garden?What type of soil do you suggest for a large fifth floor patio garden in a high rise? It is a vegetable garden.

 

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Why are My Chrysanthemums Turning Brown?I have mums in containers that are turning brown. They are not getting a lot of sunlight or water. Is that the problem? What does it mean to pinch them back?

 

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Cutting Car Tires?How to cut up discarded tires?

 

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Growing Hollyhocks in Containers?I started hollyhocks from seed this spring and have transplanted them into a pot, hoping that they would have a chance to grow before the rabbits got to them. Can I individually plant them in pots and keep them in the house over winter or do they need to go dormant?

 

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Can I Grow a Lilac in a Container?Can I grow a lilac bush in a container?

 

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Growing Sunflowers in Containers?This is my first year to plant sunflowers in containers. When cold weather sets in what should I do?

 

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Growing Cucumbers in Containers?I would like to plant cucumbers in a container. What kind of container should I use? Should it be big and tall like a 5 gallon bucket or short and small like a dish pan. I am growing the small cukes.

 

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Tomatoes in Hanging Planters?I have hanging baskets with tomato plants. How often should I water them?

 

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Transplanting Vegetable Plants into Larger Pots?My vegetable plants are too large for the pots I planted them in. How can I put them in a larger pot without killing them ? I have tomato, bell pepper, and squash.

 

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Flowers for Apartment Container Garden?I live in an apartment and would like to plant some summer flowers that are easy to grow, like geraniums, in a pot and put them on the porch. I have a very small closed in porch and only have room for about 2 large pots and maybe also hang a rectangular one on the banister (handrail).

 

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Lining Wood Window Boxes?Any ideas what to use to line window boxes?

 

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Growing Beets in Containers?I moved to a small flat last November. I have started to try and grow herbs in containers. I was given some beetroot seeds. Would I be able to grow these in containers, too? Many thanks.

 

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Growing Peppers in Containers?Has anyone grown peppers in large pots? Any luck growing them this way?

 

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Getting Started With Container Gardening?I live in a town house so space is limited, I love to garden and tried a little last year with very little luck. I need help figuring out the best plants, and vegetables to plant in pots, and a small dirt patch (about 1' x 4').

 

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Homemade Gardening Pots?I use homemade papier mache pots for my seedlings, but I don't use salt in the paste mix. Can I use salt to prevent mold or will it kill the plants?

 

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Growing Hydrangeas in Containers?The leaves on the hydrangea potted plant outdoors are turning yellow. Is the cause of this under watering? Will it flower next year?

 

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Vegetable Container Gardening?We want to put out a simple container veggie garden this spring to help cut grocery bills. We're focusing on a few simple things we eat a lot that aren't especially cheap at the local farmer's market. Such as various lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, and some herbs.

 

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Wintering a Container Garden?I live on the 11th floor of an apartment tower facing Lake Erie (North) but we get an incredible amount of sun. Last year I had a fabulous container garden. I know than anything in terra cotta must be brought in to avoid cracking.

 

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Thrifty Container Gardening?I am looking for a thrifty way to container garden my vegetables this year. Any ideas?

 

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Growing Lemon Trees in Containers?I need help with my lemon tree. It is small, about 3 ft tall and in a container. It does have about 5 baby lemons growing. The leaves look like they are wilting. I do give it citrus fertilizer once a month.

 

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Growing Gourds In 5 Gallon Buckets?Can I grow gourds in 5 gallon buckets? I'd like to grow some of those little gourds that look like hens eggs. I have the seeds, and am ready to plant. But we don't have enough space for sprawling vines in the yard. Could I plant these seeds in

 

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Lining a Basket to Hold Flowers?I have a fairly large square wicker basket I want to put flowers in this spring. What can I line it with, to prevent water from damaging what ever I have it sitting on? Thanks for any help

 

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Container for an Alberta Spruce?What is the best size container to plant a Alberta Spruce in?

 

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Decorating My Entrance With Planters?I would like to decorate my front door entrance on the outside. I live in a small rental house and I was thinking about buying a large planter/pot and putting a few flowers i.e. geraniums in them. I might put a planter on each side of the door.

 

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Caring for Container Strawberries During the Winter?Caring for Container Strawberries During the Winter. I started strawberries in four layered pots. I don't know what to do with them for the winter? I'm thinking I will put them in my unheated garage, but the temperature will very a great deal; from 50 degrees F on a sunny afternoon to 32 degrees F at night?

 

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Wood Planter Patterns?I'm looking for plans to make a wooden planter for outside. Does anyone have any or know of a website that has free plans?

 

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Growing Corn in an Earthbox?We are growing 16 corn plants in an earthbox. I don't know what to expect. Right now, the plants are at different heights 4-5 feet, but gangly and a pale green.

 

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Container Gardening in Texas?I am an experienced gardener, however, I am a recent Texas transplant, and now have very limited space in which to grow things. I would like some recommendations as to things that would grow well in containers, and that would do well with limited eastern light.

 

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Colorful Plants for Containers?I live in North Georgia (zone 7b) and I would like to place 2 large pots (container garden) on either side of our front door with a variety (about 3) of easy to care for, but colorful plants. The front of our house stays in the shade for the better part of the day. Any suggestions on what plants I should use?

 

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Big Tomato Plants, But No Tomatoes?I am growing tomatoes in a container but have plants over 5 feet tall and only one tomato so far. What am I doing wrong and how do I fix it?

 

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Problems Finding Plants?I want to do a container garden with the following plants: Bloody Dock (Rumex Sanguineus), Kent Beauty Ornamental Oregano (Origanum 'Kent Beauty'), Verbena (Verene tenuisecta 'Edith'), Red Ace Twinspur (Diascia 'Red Ace'), Pink Crystals Ruby Grass (Melinis nerviglumis) and Silver Mist Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare 'Minus').

 

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Tractor Tires for Strawberry Beds?I need information on how to cut old tractor tires to make a raised bed for strawberries.

 

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Planters out of Old Tires?Looking for info on how to make planters out of old tires.

 

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