Ask Jen’s Mom: Patio Garden Dear Jen’s Mom, My patio is begging for a container garden, but I can barely manage to keep my dog alive. Is there anything I won’t kill? Thanks, Ashley Ashley, Oh, dear. Spring is a great time to start your first garden- and there are some really pretty low-maintenance flowers. You’ll need an afternoon to set it up, but once you’ve planted, you’ll only have to tend to every few days. Pansies are a wonderful hardy spring flower that do well in the sun and in partial shade. They come in a variety of colors and will bloom all spring and fall. I really like the yellow and purple ones together. A simple terracotta pot full of colorful pansies makes a long-lasting, beautiful statement. For a more elaborate look plant some daffodils, tulips, and a purple or pink hyacinth. Jen loves the way they smell. 1) Find a container with character. Anything will work: a terracotta pot, baskets, metal or wooden boxes, vintage items, or even an old pair of bright-yellow rain boots. Poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. (If you use a container, like rain boots, that don’t have drainage holes, you can line the bottom 2 inches of the container with gravel.) 2) Fill the container 3/4th of way with potting mix. Choose one with a slow-release fertilizer. 3) Plant and water well. Then, water when the soil feels dry, which depends on the weather. 4) When the flowers die, (don’t worry, it’s natural) remove them by pinching the stems. This is called deadheading. By the way, I just finished planting baskets of pansies and set them on my porch. We’ll talk about summer flowers soon. And, don’t forget to feed your dog. Happy Gardening! Jen’s Mom

Ask Jen’s Mom: Patio Garden


Dear Jen’s Mom,
My patio is begging for a container garden, but I can barely manage to keep my dog alive. Is there anything I won’t kill?
Thanks,
Ashley

Ashley,
Oh, dear. Spring is a great time to start your first garden- and there are some really pretty low-maintenance flowers. You’ll need an afternoon to set it up, but once you’ve planted, you’ll only have to tend to every few days.

Pansies are a wonderful hardy spring flower that do well in the sun and in partial shade. They come in a variety of colors and will bloom all spring and fall. I really like the yellow and purple ones together. A simple terracotta pot full of colorful pansies makes a long-lasting, beautiful statement. For a more elaborate look plant some daffodils, tulips, and a purple or pink hyacinth. Jen loves the way they smell.

1) Find a container with character. Anything will work: a terracotta pot, baskets, metal or wooden boxes, vintage items, or even an old pair of bright-yellow rain boots. Poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage. (If you use a container, like rain boots, that don’t have drainage holes, you can line the bottom 2 inches of the container with gravel.)
2) Fill the container 3/4th of way with potting mix. Choose one with a slow-release fertilizer.
3) Plant and water well. Then, water when the soil feels dry, which depends on the weather.
4) When the flowers die, (don’t worry, it’s natural) remove them by pinching the stems. This is called deadheading.

By the way, I just finished planting baskets of pansies and set them on my porch. We’ll talk about summer flowers soon. And, don’t forget to feed your dog.

Happy Gardening!
Jen’s Mom