How Do You Care For Container Dish Gardens?
Container dish gardens and hanging baskets often look neglected and stressed by mid-summer. Following the care tips below will help your container flower gardens flourish, bloom and grow. Use your hand-pruners to remove any yellow or brown leaves and stems. Also remove spent blooms, by clipping below the seed-pod. This is known as deadheading and will encourage repeat blooming. Stems should be cut low, in order to hide the bare stem end deep within the plant. Overly long or leggy plants can be pinched back by about 1/3 in order to encourage bushier growth. Make this pinch, or cut, back to just above a leaf bracket. Do not cut back more than 1/2 at most, and make sure there are several sets of leaves left on each branch. Fertilize your dish gardens according to fertilizer package directions. Liquid fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro or a fine granular will work faster than a slow-release encapsulated type, but will need to be reapplied more frequently. Mark on your calendar when you are due
