Container gardening can denote a small group of containers on a patio or many containers placed in the landscape. Containers can be moved indoors to protect tender plants during the winter, and they also raise gardens off the ground to our height. Also, colorful containers add interest in the garden.

In selecting a container, make sure to choose one that will allow for adequate water drainage. Different containers in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures are available, or something around your house may be repurposed into a container. Refrain from using black or dark-colored containers in direct sunlight. The containers will absorb the light and hold the heat at the plant’s roots, which can adversely affect the plant. Check for drainage holes and possibly drill a couple more before adding potting soil.

The next step is to decide on a soil mixture. Some people prefer to purchase peat, perlite, sand, and bark mulch to create their own potting media. Others purchase premixed potting soil. If you opt for premixed soil, be sure to purchase potting soil and not garden soil. You’ll want to fill the container with potting soil to within 2 to 3 inches of the top of the container.

When it comes time to plant, be sure to mix water into the potting soil before placing the plant in the container. Containers in sunny, hot or windy areas may need to be watered twice daily. Be sure to check soil moisture levels by sight or feel. Overwatering can cause the plants to wilt because the roots are essentially drowning if too much water is applied, and drainage is inadequate. On the other hand, underwatering containers can also cause plants to wilt. Potting soil should never be allowed to fully dry out because it is nearly impossible to reincorporate moisture into the mix. Many of the premixed potting soil mixtures have waterabsorbing materials incorporated to help retain moisture.

For the highest visual effect when planning your container garden, it is recommended to contain three elements: your thriller, filler, and spiller. Thrillers are plants with height that add drama and a vertical element to the combination. Thrillers can either be flowering or foliage plants or ornamental grasses. Thrillers are generally placed in the center or the back of the container. Some examples of beautiful thrillers are Angelonia, purple fountain grass, or elephant ears.

Filler plants tend to be more rounded or mounded plants and make the container look full. Fillers are generally placed in front of, or around the thriller variety. Fillers should be placed midway between the edge of the container and the thriller variety. Some examples of bountiful fillers are coleus, petunias and geraniums.

Lastly, you will add your spillers. Spillers are trailing plants that hang over the edge of the planter. Spillers are placed close to the edge of the container. Some examples of trailing spillers are ajuga, sweet potato vine, trailing phlox, and creeping jenny.

May Gardening Checklist:

• After spring bulbs have finished flowering, wait until the foliage turns yellow before cutting it off. Food is being manufactured and stored for next year’s blooms.

• Mulch plants to reduce watering requirements, suppress weed growth and minimize soil temperature changes. Excellent mulches are pine straw, chopped leaves, and pine bark.

• Coleus is a great annual bedding plants for vibrant pops of color. Try some of the newer sun-loving varieties.

• Fertilize shrubs in the spring using a generalpurpose fertilizer. Carefully follow the label directions.

• To encourage more rapid reblooming, pinch off old flowers on bedding plants after their first flower cycle is completed this spring.

• Roses can develop insect problems. Watch for aphids on tender new growth, thrips on flowers and cucumber beetles on foliage. Beetles are especially a problem if a vegetable garden is nearby.

For questions about these topics or anything else, please contact Chanelle Svehla, Sabine County Extension Agent at 409-787-5208, chanelle.svehla@ag.tamu.edu