Progress Photos - Phase 1 Window Boxes

On May 1, 2010, I planted 3 window boxes. The photos below document the progress of these 3 boxes just 7 days later:




[L. to R.]Torenia (violet moon hybrid), Nemesia (Angleart Pear), Gerbera, and a blue pansy.





The photos are beginning to show a need for the first trimback on spent flowers.



I am pleased to see that most of these plants have weathered the first week very well.





A few adjustments will be made to the plantings in the next week or so. This will will in any gaps. Did I say "gaps"? Some of these look a bit overplanted, especially for the first week.



The lovely pale yellow Calibrachoa (Cabaret Yellow) has charmed me and I returned to the nursery for additional colors.



That dahlia is actually a lovely orange, though it appears "peach" here. Same for the Gerbera.


My alyssum did not do very well. I had two 4-packs and most of them look pretty dead thus far.



Here in the last shot, croton, zinnia and gerbera. I was inspired to use the foliage plants instead of flowers for my center speciman plants. So far, I am really liking that concept.

How to Plant a Container Garden - 3 Methods

How to plant a Container Garden: This is just a review of the basics which may be useful for a beginner.

Note that I am experimenting herein with one new product and following one bit of advice on recycled plastic 1-gal bottles. By May 1, I am ready to plant my three window boxes. Although much is published on How to Plant a Container Garden, here’s a short video explanation and a new product, “Better Than Rocks”. This product is nearly 1” thick, feels a bit like a scrubby pad, and is marketed to hold the potting soil above the drainage holes. Although I find this product to be pricey, it does offer a few good features. First, it is made out of recycled plastic (so I give myself a little checkmark in my “green” department for today). Next, no odor and no rotting. This puts coco fiber to shame. By the way, a nurseryperson just informed me that squirrels just love coco fiber for lining their nests. Nah, I do not care to go that green! Fiberglass window box with stones over drainage and Better Than Rocks product:



I also selected a new planter for my first experiment with coco fiber. The metal planter ($39.99 from Home Goods) was sprayed lightly with Rust-oleum "Crystal Clear Enamel" to prevent rusting:



Inserting coco fiber into a metal planter:



The following video was inspired by the suggestion to use 1-gallon plastic jugs to lighten the weight of these large planters as well as to help with the drainage: