Spring is in the air here in Northern Israel and now is the time to put a little bit of effort into my generally very patient container garden! I really needed some new top soil for my bed of roses, and as you can see I just couldn't resist treating myself to some flowers from my local nursery. Don't they look amazing all packed together? I'll be using these flowers to add color here and there, at the base of my lemon tree, and in some window boxes that line a little public walkway. My container garden is something that I do not just for myself, but for the general beautification of our little neighborhood built on a hill with many stone walkways and walls that need some softening with greenery! All of my neighbors with the exception of one just do not have the time or know how to take care of plants, but they do enjoy mine!
So what are my immediate plans for the container garden?
How To Get Your Container Garden Ready For Spring:
- Prune any plants that are dead/dry or in need of pruning before the spurt of Spring growth.
- Weed and weed again, I have lots of little uninvited guests
- Decide if there are any plants that just aren't adding to the beauty of your garden....I know, throwing out a plant can be painful, but sometimes you just gotta do it. (This is very rare for me, generally I have only gotten rid of things that are really really looking terrible......)
- Replace broken pots if necessary, and examine the layout of pots to see if it is working visually
- Take cuttings from geraniums and succulents that have become too leggy and make new pots. Purple heart is also easily propogated from cuttings, as are of course babies from any spider plants.
- Add new top soil to all pots.
- Treat yourself to some new plants! Depending on where you live, what suits you most? Annuals? Perrenials? Something that you'll have to bring indoors come winter? Do your research as far as plant care, especially in my case how to prevent that lavender from getting too woody!
- Try something new (note to self) like finding a place for some hanging pots this year, and especially something packed with gorgeous flowers!
- If you normally buy cut flowers and are on a budget, so use this money to buy plants instead, you can always bring small pots indoors if you like for a day or so. (I have been bringing my flowering cyclamen into the house each shabbat as a beautiful addition to our coffee table, and it was such a treat, just like a vase of flowers!)
Have any grand plans for your container garden?
