July is a particularly hot month, so container gardens need some extra care, and on this week's Gardening Tips podcast, Jacob Barnes from the Chicago Botanic Garden shares tips on how to care for your container garden.
Potting soil is great for container gardens. It's lightweight and has good drainage, which helps prevent overwatering. However, it can dry out quickly on hot or windy days. To fix this, water more frequently in the summer as your plants grow and the days get warmer.
To check the moisture level in a container, insert your finger into the first inch of soil. If it is dry, water until water comes out of the bottom of the pot.
Frequent watering can wash away nutrients in potting soil. It's important to fertilize your container garden regularly to replenish these nutrients. How often you fertilize depends on the type of fertilizer. Liquid soluble fertilizers can be applied every 2-3 weeks, while slow-release fertilizers should be applied every 3 months. Be sure to follow the package directions.
Listen to a new episode of the Gardening Tips podcast every Saturday for timely tips about plants, gardens and the outdoors. Catch the latest episode here.
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Featured image photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden
