Container Gardening Seminar - December 12, 2020

Good morning everybody. As fitting the end of 2020, it's supposed to be bright and sunny and in the eighties today. But we've survived this long, so we can survive this. Today is going to be a container gardening seminar. I'm sure everybody's getting ready to plant. If you haven't already done your pots, you're probably all getting ready and anxious. You probably all decided to do it this week when it was forty degrees—another 2020 mishap. But now would be a good time to start doing it. They're saying that this is the end of the cold snap till we get the next one in, like, two days later. So, you know, it is what it is.

But, if you have planters that are like concrete or something you can't bring in because of the cold, don't use plastic to cover them. Why? It creates fungus because it becomes like an incubator and the plants can't breathe. Either use paper or sheets. Or if you have shrubs or something, use bath towels because they can breathe but still protect the plant from frost and wind. But do not use plastic or those plastic sheets you know, that they sell. If you have annuals in the ground like a whole bed of impatience and you throw plastic all over it, you'll take it off the next day, and it'll all be rotted. So it's something I try to emphasize, especially this time of year—protect your plants without causing problems down the line. Even if you don't notice any damage right away, it can appear days later with a bad fungal problem. There's an incubation period like COVID, so be patient and wait until it's safe to take the sheets off. When the temperature's above fifty, take them off during the day and put them back on at night.

This is a twelve-inch plastic pot with a terracotta look. You can use any kind of planter. If you like the planter, you'll find the plants you like to use in it. This time of year or in the heat of the summer, this combination I highly recommend. It's not only a fertilizer but gives resilience, giving plants that extra hormone they need. What is it? It's called formula b, a combination of Blast and Osmocote. Blast works right away promoting root growth, and Osmocote is a six-month slow feed. When you see little beads left, it's the stuff in the beads that disintegrates, not the beads themselves. When you dig up, you'll see these biodegradable beads, and the plant takes what it needs when it needs it. After you've applied this, wait six weeks before starting liquid feeding. This keeps the plants vibrant for the rest of the season.

When selecting plants, look for 20-20-20 on the label, and pick out what you like. Some people don't like reds, some don't like yellow. Potting soil? Use potting soil and organic potting mix. Don't use top soil; it's too heavy, and roots won't spread. Start with size and growth pattern, using the largest as your focal point and scaling down in size. Ask questions like how tall a plant will grow; labels usually tell you everything you need to know. This is Angelonia, which comes in various colors. I'm using it in the center for a 360-view. In Florida, everything grows without much fuss, so I'm not too particular about breaking the root ball apart, unlike up north.
Now, let's move on to planting. This is salvia, a tall, wide-growing plant. I like a blue and purple combination, and Alyssum, sweet Alyssum, goes in front of the salvia. Purple or white Alyssum adds a stunning contrast. I cram everything in because if a plant doesn't make it, you don't have to replace the whole planter—just pull out the one that didn’t make it. This way, even if one plant dies, it's not noticeable. Let's add pentas—these come in various colors—behind the Angelonia. These always bloom, and deadheading keeps them vibrant.
Water your plants well, especially those with drainage holes. Add more plants and arrange them for a balanced look. I recommend packing plants closely because as they grow, they fill in empty spaces, making for a lush display.

Lastly, maintain your plants. Fertilize appropriately, clean out pots at the end of the season, and beware of fire ants in stored soil. With proper care, your container garden will thrive through the season, and you'll enjoy a colorful display.
Thank you for joining today’s seminar!