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Thomas asks…
Winter container garden options zone 5b or colder?
I live in Brooklyn and recently started a roof garden.
Current plants will die or move inside as the weather changes, but I want to keep things growing up there, so I need to find plants that can survive being grown in containers in full sun through the fall and as long into winter as possible.
Internet tells me NYC is zone 6b and to go colder for containers. Suggestions found are mostly trees, not practical here. I’m guessing ornamental cabbage and ivy, but is there anything more interesting or colorful I could plant that might survive?
Glenn answers:
Leucanthemum ‘Highland White Dream’ PPAF Summer to Early Fall blooms
Paeonia lactiflora x lemoinei ‘Yellow Crown’ Spring to Summer blooms
Aster ‘October Skies’ — Mid fall blooms
Here are a few plant options, the hardest thing with container plants is to remember to water regularly.
You can find these plants on the Wayside Gardens Web site.
William asks…
Edible flowers for container gardening in shade?
I’m starting a container garden with a north facing patio (cringe). I gave up a southern view for a a skyline what can i say. So anyway i’m a cook, sometimes profesionaly, and wanted to try to grow and then incorperate some edible flowers into my cooking. Does anyone know any that grow well on little sunlight? I’m going to end up putting it in a closet with a sun lamp in the winter by defualt but would like something that didnt become anemic you know?
Glenn answers:
Violets, violas, pansies and nastursiumns. Here is a site that lists many more, plus ways to use them. However, the ones I listed (other than traditional herbs, rosemary, thyme, etc.) are the ones most suited for shade container gardening.
Http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers/EdibleFlowersMain.htm
Paul asks…
container gardening question?
I am thinking of trying to raise come green beans, cucumbers, leaf lettuce over the later part of summer and into fall-winter. I want to raise them in my garage with artificial lighting, the garage is heated. What can I plant the gr beans, cukes, lettuce in and get good yields? Where would I find a fairly inexpensive but good artificial plant light?
Glenn answers:
Hopefully you are doing this as a hobby as the timeand expense outweigh any cost savings you may be expecting. You will achieve better result with theleafy crops as the others require probably more lumens -light- than growing lights will provide, plus you neighbors will report you for growing in the garage and the police willraid you at 4 in the morning and after a week in jaill they will tell you they are sorry.
Donna asks…
How do I prepare my Garden Mum for winter time? Can I keep it inside the house in her own container?
I bought a garden Mum about 3 weeks ago and now it looks like winter is right around the corner. The mum still in her own container and I don’t know if I can keep her there, put her in a larger one…or…do I have to trasplant her in soil, outside?!
Glenn answers:
Fall Garden Mums Plant Care
Garden mums are offered in a great array of fall colors. These colorful flowers will survive the cool temperatures autumn has in store. With a little luck and proper care they will come up again next year.
Mums will bloom for 6 to 8 weeks depending on which stage of blooming you purchase them in and the weather. The hotter the weather the faster they will bloom and finish.
TO KEEP YOUR MUMS LOOKING THEIR BEST:
1. Water, Water, Water. Keep them well watered. At the store we water them everyday, and sometimes twice a day. They may need a gallon of water or more per day. If you see leaves starting to look droopy it probably needs water.
2. Use the right soil. If you are planting into another container be sure to plant with a good planter mix (not topsoil or black dirt). If planting in the garden, dig a hole twice the size of the container. Mix that soil with good compost. Mushroom compost is my favorite. Put the plant in the hole and fill with the soil/compost mix. Then water thoroughly. Mulching around your plants helps retain moisture, and gives a nice finished look to your landscape.
TO HELP YOUR MUM SURVIVE THE WINTER:
1. Plant your mum in the ground as instructed above. Your mum will most likely not survive if planted in a container.
2. Keep your mums watered until we have a hard freeze – probably some time in early November (but that could be earlier).
3. Protecting your mums with a mulch or protective cover will help. You don’t want to cover with a mulch that will decompose quickly, such as leaves or grass clippings. As these decompose they may cause the plant to rot. I suggest using evergreen boughs to protect your mums and other perennials. Layer the boughs to create a tent around the plants. This will help protect them from the harsh winds, the temperature will not rise to quickly on warm sunny winter days. And the boughs look great!!!
4. When spring has sprung, (late March/early April) remove your mulch covering and cut back the dead branches of your mums. You will soon see green sprouting out of the base of the plant.
5. When your plants reach about 3″-4″ high you can pinch back your plants to produce fuller plants. Most mums you buy now do not need as much pinching. They have been breed to self branch. If you pinch your mums they will bloom later. Be sure your mums get 6 hours or more of direct sun a day. If they don’t they may be thin and spindly. And with little light they may not produce buds. Whether you use your mums as an annual or perennial they’re a great way to bring color to your garden, or decorate for the season.
Enjoy!!!!!!
Michael asks…
Container garden space filler?
Hi, we are ready to put our winter container garden out and this year are going to try using cheap rubber maid tubs with drainage holes. (Spent a ton of money last year for pots and they weren’t big enough). The problem is, we only need the top foor or two for actual potting mix. What can we use to fill up the rest of the space below that? Specifically that will be: safe, cheap, beneficial to the growing process, and not too heavy in case we need to bring them inside for a freeze. Thanks!!
Re: Gas man: i have heard of that actually but is it safe to put aluminum cans in my potting soil? And it would take ALOT of cans to fill the space, we have about 5 tubs to fill.
Glenn answers:
Some folks buy a big bag of those styrofoam peanuts used in packaging delicate objects for mailing. You just put as many as you think will fill the space you want under your potting soil with the peanuts. You will have to dispose of them at the end of the growing season and buy another batch for next spring. You can purchase them at a UPS store…but don’t be too hasty: you’d be surprised to find how extensive the roots can be on common garden-variety vegetables and even many house plants. You may want to use all potting mix – which is indeed much lighter than ordinary dirt.
Laura asks…
container balcony gardening?
how to winter perenials. My balcony is on the 4th floor – facing south – southern Ontario, I’ve asked before but never got an answer.
Would you think that the basement locker room would be OK if I bring them inside? How come they can stay in a garden all winter without a problem? Have you tried it already?
Glenn answers:
You’ll need to bring them indoors a severe freeze may kill the roots. They do need a dormant period with cool temps though. Does your building have a basement or some area that is not heated? If so try placing them in that area for a few months and then bring them into your apartment a couple months before you are ready to put them out on the deck. That few months of dormancy is what they need.
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