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become established well, and the plant will never be vigorous.
Use Simple Maintenance
Procedures
The most common problem with container gardens is too little or too much water. Because the volume of soil is relatively small, containers can dry out very quickly, especially on a concrete patio in full sun. Daily, or even twice daily watering may be necessary.
Learn to use your fingers to gauge the need for water, then apply enough to run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. This assures that the soil is thoroughly and uniformly wet and that excess salts are washed from the soil. On an upstairs balcony, this may mean neighbor problems, so make provisions for water drainage. However, do not allow the pot to sit in water. It will cause root damage because there will be no oxygen in the soil, and it will cause a build-up of salts that can be toxic to plants.
Dr. Diane Relf is an environmental horticulturist with Virginia Cooperative Extension and is a member of the faculty of Virginia Tech.
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