DW and I just moved into a new house in January and we have window box planters. What can you grow there?
The previous owners said the first few years they tried to grow stuff but they kept on forgetting to water it. Even when it rained you still had to water it since it was under the eve. They were only here for 5 years and they gave up after the first few years.
So, what can we do with our window boxes? What grows best? I believe it will have afternoon sun. Any suggestions would be great.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
If you want something that requires minimal care, English ivy does well in planter boxes and is very forgiving. It also handles sun or shade. Ivy alone won't give you color other than the foliage.
Begonias are a good choice, and a lot of the new varieties of petunia do very well. There are new petunias that are very full, some that trail over the side, and they will give you color all season. Bedding geraniums handle planter boxes very well and give you some upright plants if you place them with something trailing, like ivy. Verbena, lantana, vinca, coleus and dusty miller are all good choices.
Planter boxes look good when you add variety -- three or four different colors, textures, heights -- and plant them closer together than you would if you were putting them in a regular flower bed.
Visit a good local garden shop (not Home Depot or Lowe's) and you'll find a great variety and employees who are knowledgeable about the plants they sell. They'll give you some suggestions for plants to put together, or take a look at some of the planters they have already made up and copy the plant tags so you can duplicate a look you like.
John
(Penn State Ag Extension Master Gardener)
John, that is very good info, thank you.....so you can plant items real close together? I guess you have to but I thought I wouldn't be able to mix plants because of that.
Herbs....there is an idea. Don't tomato's need those round metal fences to keep them up? Or do you just have them hang over....won't the squirrels and other pests get the tomatoes then?
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
[quote author=Lone Lock link=topic=1396.msg10983#msg10983 date=1329784426]
John, that is very good info, thank you.....so you can plant items real close together? I guess you have to but I thought I wouldn't be able to mix plants because of that.
Herbs....there is an idea. Don't tomato's need those round metal fences to keep them up? Or do you just have them hang over....won't the squirrels and other pests get the tomatoes then?
If you take a look at planters that a true garden center arranges, the plants are much tighter than you would normally plant. The idea is mainly for aesthetics, since you want a planter to look full and lush. The plants really won't mind, they'll just want more water. 😉
There are a lot of hybrid tomatoes (and other veggies) that don't take up as much space, nor grow as tall as a lot of varieties you're used to. My son and his wife use Earthbox http://www.earthbox.com/ growing systems on their patio. They pack an amazing amount of plants -- peppers, tomatoes and herbs -- into boxes that measure 29x14x11 inches. Those are designed that they don't need nearly as much water as window boxes, but if you look at that site you can get some good ideas.
John
And you could always do a drip irrigation system. Our neighbors use one for watering their regular flower beds. It prevents watering of in between areas and really keeps down on the weeds too. THis sytem has a hose smaller than a garden hose, then little arms with spike ends off of it that you stick in at the base of each plant. THey simply have a timer on their garden hose and it turns of and on the water as they have it set.
Funny you should mention a drip system, I just noticed that the flower bed below it has one of those soaker hoses in it.
I think we will check out that Ford's Greenhouse that busdriver mentioned and see what they have in a few weeks. I like the idea of 2 different heights and colors.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I grow cherry or grape tomatoes every year, they're really easy, and I love munching on them while waiting outside for my dog to do her business.
If you have the same issues the previous owners had, forgetting to water, you can do what my mom does... fake plants! ;D Just keep them current what would actually grow that time of the year, and nobody will know the difference.
Also I suggest using some good water-retaining soil, that should help with watering.
[quote author=MariskaHargitay link=topic=1396.msg11018#msg11018 date=1329850007]
Also I suggest using some good water-retaining soil, that should help with watering.
Good point. If you use the planter boxes it's a good idea to replace the soil with a good potting soil. Plants do deplete the nutrients in soil and boxes don't get the benefit of worms, mulch, etc., to replace some of those. Potting soil in generally lighter weight and has a lot of nutrients in it as well as having additives to help it retain water. The better the brand, the better the it will work.
Drip systems work very well. Harbor Freight sells a kit at a good price. You can also get ends that screw onto soda bottles that let water out at a controlled rate. Or, just use the bottle cap and experiment with holes of varying size and amount to slowly release water. Works great for camping weekends!
John
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