For years I wanted to grow fruits and veggies in my own yard. Unfortunately, every single time I would plant some seeds, they would fail before they ever took off. It was frustrating, but I simply figured I didn't know enough about gardening to make things work. I was right. After reading a book about garden equipment, I could tell that my irrigation techniques were lacking. Some of my garden wasn't getting enough water, and some of it was getting way too much. This blog is all about watering your garden so that you can maximize your results and improve your supply.
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Irrigating A Better Way
Getting the Best Results from Gardening with Planters
Raymond Smith
Planters can be a convenient option for growing small plants. However, using these devices is very different from growing plants in the soil, and you will want to account for these differences. Below are a few tips to help you use cylinder planters successfully.
Ensure There Is Good Drainage
Poor drainage can be one of the main issues that individuals encounter when using planters. This problem can be traced to packing the soil in the container too tightly. Unfortunately, the soil in these containers can be prone to compacting overtime due to watering and the roots of the plant holding the soil in place. Mixing sand, perlite, and gravel into the soil in the planter can significantly improve its overall drainage.
Prevent the Plants from Becoming Root Bound
When plants are growing in containers that are too small for them, they can become root bound. This problem occurs when the roots of the plant start to get tangled and outgrow the container. This problem can severely restrict the moisture and nutrient intake of the plant. The easiest option for preventing this problem is to make sure to choose a container that is slightly larger than the recommended container size for your plant. If you notice that the plant is starting to outgrow its container, it should be transplanted to a larger container as soon as possible.
Monitor the Runoff
One key advantage of using containers is that you can precisely measure the mineral and pH of the runoff. This can yield the information that you need to adjust the fertilizer routine for the plants or the pH of the water that you are using. Ideally, the runoff should be tested each time that you water the plants. Fortunately, there are runoff testing kits that can be used to easily give you the nutrient and pH levels of the water draining from the container. Keeping a journal of these readings can help you to easily spot anomalies that may need to be addressed to keep your plants healthy.
Thoroughly Clean and Sanitize Planters before Reusing Them
Investing in high-quality planters can be fairly expensive, but these devices can be reused multiple times. Unfortunately, some individuals will fail to appreciate the need to sanitize these containers before using them again. Any bacteria, pests, or other problems that were left behind by the other plant can create issues for the new one. After sanitizing these containers, they will have to be thoroughly rinsed. If the sanitizing agent is left in the planter, it could containment the soil, which may harm the roots of the plant.
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