Window to Nature Ц Creating a Window Box Garden

Articles on Gardening | Topics: gardening, gardens, garden

by Cardinia Justice

Do you want to have beautiful flowers but do not have a garden to plant them in? There is hope out there for your flower desires. If you have a window you are set. What you need to purchase for your window is a wooden box or container. You are not limited to keeping your arrangement on your window, it can flourish on a small patio or doorsteps and they will bring instant beauty through the summer months. Gardening has proven to lower stress levels and everyone loves watching the flowers grow.

Window box planting can be quite simple, but if you find yourself stumped many nurseries and garden centers stock pre-planted containers for the instant gratification. However don't be afraid to explore your creative side and just start planting, you'll be surprised at what you have made.

It is important to remember when you are planting in a container to make sure it has holes in the bottom for proper drainage. If your container does not have holes your flowers may become waterlogged. There are several types of containers available to suit your needs. There are hanging baskets, tubs, whiskey barrels, troughs, window boxes and of course your regular pot. Once you have chosen your pot you will want to fill it ╛ full with potting mixture which can be purchased at many retail stores and all your garden centers. Then remove your flowers from their boxes and arrange them in your pot. After you have created your desired arrangement take more potting soil and cover the roots up. Once you have finished covering all the flowers you need to water them. Make sure you have left at least an inch left in your pot so the water will not overflow. You can use potting compost, but you will not get the award winning flowers that you desire. It is suggested to use a slow-release plant food and water-storing gel granules.

If you have decided to use a hanging basket made of woven wire, you will need to line it first. Take any kind of liner that holes can be made in and lay it inside the basket. Fill the basket as you would a pot and start planting your flowers through the sides and the top. In no time you will have a beautiful solid arrangement of flowers and you won't even see the liner.

One of the biggest secrets of a successful container is constant manicuring. You should always remove and dead flower heads by pinching them off. This will allow new flowers to come in their place.

аBit of History

Who has not seen in imagination, when looking into the sunset sky, the gardens of the Hesperides, and the foundation of all those fables?

—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

If you have noticed you window box has started to dry out and the plants are shriveling you still have hope. Place the container in tray and give the roots a good soak. You will also need to prune away any dead or shriveled flowers and follow up with liquid plant feed.

When it comes to choosing the size of window box you need to keep a few things in mind. First, you want your flower garden to fit the size of your window. Do not go any larger than the length of your window. They you need to consider the width of your container. It all depends on how many rows you would like to plant, but keep in mind that it is best not to go any deeper than three rows. Lastly, you want to think about what kind of flowers you will be planting. If you are planning on having them year round you are going to need a container that is twelve to fifteen inches deep. The deeper the container the more likely your roots and bulbs will survive any freezing. If you are only going to have your container from spring through fall you will only need a container that is seven or eight inches deep.

When choosing which kind of flowers you are going to plant you need to think of which direction your window is facing. Certain flowers require more sun, while other requires more shade. If your window is facing north, it is a good idea to choose flowers that require part shade to full shade. If your window is on the south, be sure to purchase flowers that require sun to full sun. Most flowers will list their sun requirements on the tag that they come with.

The most important thing to remember is to enjoy what you have created. The beauty of your garden can be a calming, tranquil creation.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Window to Nature Ц Creating a Window Box Garden" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com.

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