Planters Etc. Blog - Page 3 of 6

5 Potted Plant Care Tips

October 30, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

Have you made the wise decision to use pots and planters for your herbs, plants, shrubs, trees or floral selections? If so, you will need to care for them a bit differently than ones planted in the ground. To help you grow potted plants that are healthy, strong and gorgeous, here are some tips that will ensure you understand potted plant care.

1. Choose the Correct Planters

The kind of garden planter you use to plant your grow could make all the difference when it comes to the health, size and color of your plants. Generally, fiberglass plant containers are recommended for both indoor and outdoor use since they are weather-resistant, fade-proof and lightweight enough to be moved around when desired.

2. Choose the Right Type of Soil

The type of soil you use to plant your container garden also plays a role in the vitality of your plants or flowers. You of course don’t want to use dirt or soil from the ground as it can be full of insects, weeds or fungi, so you should grab a few bags of potting soil mix from your local home improvement shop or gardening store. Most of these standard potting soils have already been blended with fertilizer, but you’ll need to do your research according to the type of vegetation you plan to plant. Top soil retains too much water which causes stress on the planter and may cause root problems or stress fractures in your planter. This is one of the most important considerations with potted plant care.

3. Prepare Your Pots for Planting

Besides choosing the best planters and the right kind of soil, the things you do before planting are vital to the performance of your grow. You’ll want to make sure you use a top quality planter liner and also make sure your pots offer adequate drainage for the type of plant they will contain.

4. Feed & Water Your Plants

It almost goes without saying – watering your plants if a must. However, some gardening enthusiasts aren’t sure exactly what a watering schedule should look like. While weekly watering can suffice during the rainy spring months, it’s recommended you water more frequently when summer arrives. Another general rule-of-thumb is hanging plants and small potted plants need to be watered more often and larger ones will do fine if watered once daily or every other day. Plants that grow in pots tend to require more fertilizer than those grown in the ground, so you may also want to consider feeding them a time-released fertilizer.

5. Trim or Prune When Needed

Cutting off dead leaves or unhealthy buds is essential for container gardening. The majority of leafy plants will prune themselves, but it will take time, so it’s easier to do it yourself using your garden tools. Keep in mind that most pruning should be performed following a strong bloom in order to give your plants room to “breathe”.

Caring for your potted plants isn’t as complicated as many believe. Some gardeners even feel that container gardening is more convenient that traditional gardening because you can move the pots and control the environment they are exposed to. If you plan on building your own container garden, you’ll want to check out our collection of garden containers, pots and planters. We carry an assortment of colors, sizes and shapes!

How to Prepare Your Plants and Containers for Planting

October 16, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

The modern trend of container gardening is on the rise among homeowners, renters, landscapers and corporate designers. If you want to get in on the craze and put together your own planter display, there are a few things you’ll need to do before planting. Check out our step-by-step guide to prepare your plants and containers for planting.

Step 1: Clean the Interior

It’s always a good idea to clean the inside of your plant container before planting in order to ensure it is free of chemicals, dust, etc. This step is especially important if you are reusing a pot or if it has been in storage. All you have to do is wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and a bit of soapy water.

Step 2: Drill Drainage Holes (If Necessary)

Proper drainage is crucial if you want healthy outdoor plants. While some planting containers and pots are already equipped with drainage holes, some aren’t. If your plant pots don’t have drainage holes, you may want to look at drilling a few yourself. Depending on the material that the pot it made out of, it should be rather easy to drill or puncture holes in the bottom of it.

Step 3: Apply a Liner

If you use one of our extra tough fiberglass planters for your planting needs, you don’t necessarily need to insert a liner before inserting your plants. Although, if you will be using them as outdoor planters in conditions that can reach freezing temperatures, you may want to consider lining the pots with a protective fabric liner, plastic liner or coco liner.

Step 4: Fill Your Pot

In order to improve drainage, you should fill the bottom of your pot with something that provides a little elevation. Foam beads, foam blocks, lava rock and weed cloth are commonly used as plant container fillers.

Step 5: Pour In Soil

Next, pour in your soil. Make sure you choose the right kind of soil for the type of plant, shrub, tree or herb you will be planting. Sandy soil is typically only used to plant drought-resistant plants since it can dry quickly, mulch delivers nutrients and potting soil is an all around great choice for general gardening. Top soil is not recommended.

Step 6: Blend in Fertilizer

Some soils are already fertilized but some aren’t. If your soil is not fertilized, it’s recommended you blend a bit of it by hand before planting. Contrary to popular belief, there are many organic fertilizers that pose no harm to you, your pets or children who play in the yard.

Step 7: Plant Seeds, Seedlings, or Foliage

Now that your garden containers are ready, you can plant your seeds, seedlings or cuttings. If you’ll be transplanting, keep in mind that you’ll need to introduce the roots at the appropriate depth for the type of plant.

Whether you are wanting to make your own portable herb garden, flower garden or veggie garden, container gardening is definitely the way to go. We have just the products you need to get started. Follow the steps above to get your pots ready for planting!

Top 5 Affordable Plants Perfect for Pots

October 3, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

As you may have noticed, Jay Scotts designs, develops and sells some of the finest quality planting pots and planters around. While landscapers and landscape architects commonly incorporate the commercial grade plant containers in their designs, everyday homeowners can use our planting essentials as well. We carry a range of sizes, colors and shapes, allowing you to choose the ones that coordinate best with your garden, patio, deck or porch. To provide you with some container gardening inspiration, check out these 5 affordable plants that are perfect for pots!

Boxwood

Boxwoods are some of the most popular plants for pot planting because they can be shaped, thus serving as living sculptures! These boxy plants also look good all year round, are drought tolerable and require very little maintenance. They look exceptionally sophisticated when shaped into a topiary, planted in one of our square pots and placed on your front stoop to greet guests.

Rock Rose

Growing only to a mature height of 16”, these full sun-loving rose bushes make a lovely pick for planting in your pots. The roses are also quite beautiful when in full bloom and they like to be watered. Since they are considered ornamental plants, you will need to care for them as so. However, they are strong enough to withstand snowy winters so you don’t have to worry about leaving them outdoors.

Bay Laurel

Bay laurel trees can grow to heights up to 10 feet, but with regular pruning, they can be kept in a small tree pot. They like lots of sun and moist, acidic soil. Not to mention, you can also use the mature leaves to spice dishes such as soups, baked casseroles and stews.

Hosta

These plants are not only gorgeous, they are also perfect for planting in a pot or container. The green color of the leaves is breathtaking, while the white trim that border them provides a decorative appeal. They are commonly believed to be plants which love shade, but this isn’t necessarily true. The color of your hostas will affect how much sun it needs to stay bright and healthy.

Heuchera

This leafy plant is available in a wide variety of bold colors, which is why it makes a fantastic choice for container gardeners who are looking to decorate an outdoor space. The leaves also keep their vibrant color all winter long, so you won’t have to worry about bring the pots indoors or taking any other precautionary measures.

Container gardening can be rather fun if you have the right tools. Feel free to browse our collection of fiberglass garden containers and plant pots to find the ones that blend best with your décor or design. We offer a wide selection of rectangular plant containers, round pots, tree pots, square planters and ones that feature unusual shapes. They come in a variety of colors and finishes, allowing you to get as creative as you would like. Our fiberglass plant containers are also lightweight, making them easy to move around the garden, backyard, porch, patio or deck when needed.

Container Gardening for Beginners

September 28, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

There’s a new trend hitting the gardening industry that is making it easier to show off your green thumb no matter where you may live. While container gardening is popular among renters for obvious reasons, it is also a new favorite among everyday homeowners, landscapers and residential property managers. This is because they are easy to move around when needing to prepare for a weather change or when mixing up your design. If you are thinking about getting started with container gardening, there are a few things you will need to know and some things you will need to pick up. Keep reading to find out more information for beginners!

Container Gardening Essentials & Tools

The first thing you need to start gardening is of course a couple of garden planters. We offer a wide variety of pots and planters that are made out of the finest quality fiberglass, so we recommend you check them out before proceeding. The black planters are sleek and sophisticated, while the colorful plant containers provide a pop of fresh color. Other tools and supplies you’ll need as well are a pair of gloves, some potting soil, a trowel and a hand fork.

Picking Plants, Flowers & Trees

Just about any type of plant, shrub or tree can grow in a container. You just have to make sure you select the appropriate sizes for the types of items you wish to plant. There are plenty of ornamental plants that can be planted in your garden containers, but there are also some edibles you may want to consider as well. When it comes to herbs, a few recommended choices are mint, basil, rosemary, sage, thyme or mint. Strawberries, tomatoes and vegetables such as peas, peppers, pole beans and greens can also be grown in a planting container. If you want to plant a fruit tree, we have tree pots that are both roomy and lightweight. A few good fruit trees to plant in containers are fig trees, apple trees, pear trees or orange trees.

Placing Your Planters

Now that you have chosen the type of plants, flowers or trees you want to plant as well as the type of planters you need, it’s time to pick the perfect place to display your grow. When trying to determine where to set your new container garden, it’s best to consider the suggested environment for the type of plants you’ll be using. Some plants prefer direct sunlight, while others will need to be placed in shaded areas. Plants that are planted in containers tend to dry quicker than those planted in the ground, so you’ll also need to water them more frequently.

Container gardening is a current trend that is changing the world of gardening because it offers apartment renters and others a way to establish their own grows. It’s also the ideal choice for those who live in environments that require plants to be moved indoors during the winter. We have a ton of gorgeous planters to get you started. Now go out and give it a try for yourself!

The Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Planters

September 23, 2016 by Craig Urbine Leave a Comment

Trying to decide which type of planter to choose for your garden, patio, foyer, deck or sitting room? We might be just a tad bit biased, but we feel that the best type of containers to use when planting are those which are made out of fiberglass. However, not just any fiberglass will do. It’s important to order fiberglass planters from a company that specializes in the industry in order to get the best deal possible.

This is why our team only uses the highest quality fiberglass to craft our pots and planters. To help you better decide whether or not they are the right choice for you, here is an overview of the pros and the cons of fiberglass pots.

Pros of Fiberglass Planters

There really are so many great things about fiberglass plant containers, but there are a few big reasons why they are preferred by everyday gardeners, landscapers and professional growers. For starters, unlike metal pots or stone planters, fiberglass garden containers are impressively lightweight. This allows you to move them around in the garden, on the patio, indoors or on the roof with ease.

They’re also weather-resistant. While plastic pots dry and crack, metal planters rust and wooden containers splinter, fiberglass pots and planters are strong enough to withstand the elements. They’re rust-proof, shatterproof and frost-resistant. This of course means that you can leave the containers outdoors when it’s snowing, raining or bright and sunny.

Furthermore, these extra durable planters won’t succumb to UV exposure. This lets you add style to your garden, patio, deck, sun room, kitchen or terrace using colored planters without the need to worry about the color or finish fading. Another reason why fiberglass garden planters are the recommended choice is because they’re affordable.

They also don’t need to be replaced every few years, saving you money! Needless to say, there is little to no maintenance needed to keep your plant containers looking brand new.

Cons of Fiberglass Planters

There aren’t that many cons to list in regards to outdoor and indoor fiberglass planters. The only thing that seemingly can be considered a con is that fiberglass planters aren’t as inexpensive as cheap plastic pots. However, the minimal difference is a small price to play for the durability you will experience with fiberglass pots.

While plastic pots usually fall apart after just one planting season, fiberglass containers are built to last. That means you won’t have to replace the garden containers with the seasons. Simply leave them put. You can even remove any dead plants or blooms and replace them each year. These planters really are that tough.

As you can clearly see, there are plenty of reasons why fiberglass garden pots are much superior that other varieties. If you’re interested in learning more about the pots and planters we offer, please have a look at our online shop. You’ll find fiberglass planters in all shapes, sizes, colors and finishes, so you can choose the ones that will help you get the job done.