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Container Tips, Tricks and Techniques

© Barbara M. Martin

Please note: Thank you for visiting my Cottage Garden topic and reading my columns, published here from February 1997 through spring 2003! This Cottage Garden column was written by Barbara M. Martin and is Copyrighted by Barbara M. Martin. It may not be altered or copied or published elsewhere in whole or in part without specific permission from the author. I regret I am no longer actively editing or contributing to this suite101.com topic as of mid-2003. Happy Gardening!

Window boxes or so-called Window Dressers are fine (and sometimes absolutely gorgeous), but sometimes we want something a little different.

The theory behind container gardening is a version of "there's nothing new under the sun", although many writers would like us to think otherwise. Here's an example: Gone to Pot: Some of Today's Most Innovative Gardens are Found in Containers.

Then and again, it is probably true one could find A Pot For Every Place and for every pot a place, if we pay attention to some of the basics. Bone up on them with Designing and Planting Containers -- Video Tutorial Included for starters.

In my experience, one of the most difficult aspects of growing good looking container plants all through the season is keeping them well watered. It is worth experimenting with Water Retentive Polymers if you haven't already.

If you really do want to improvise and try something new, such as alternative containers, keep a few common sense guidelines in mind as described here in Practical Cautions on Improvising Containers.

Now let's look at some fun stuff. How about a Birdhouse That's Gone To Pot?

Not quite what you had in mind? Then look at these solid Tips on Terra Cotta Selection and Care.

Now that you've found some lovely new pots, here's How to Age Pots In A Hurry, How to Make New Pots Mossy, How to Paint Pots -- easy enough a child can do it, and then How to Clean Salt Encrusted Pots to make them look brand new again. Well, almost.

What if you weren't careful or bought cheap terra cotta and/or had a minor disaster? Don't worry! Here's How to Mend that Favorite Broken Pot -- with style.

If it's beyond fixing, take a look at Another Use for Damaged Pots -- Toad Haven, although I don't garantee it will work to house toads. Our local toads disdain this particular model and seem to prefer random stacks of plastic pots or flats of baby seedlings in nice moist potting soil that they find all on their own.

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