Whether you want to grow tomatoes or peas in your backyard or patio, you must get planters of the right size. This will help the plants to grow properly and get enough nutrients and space.
Therefore, the planters should be large enough to provide the plants with the much-required support and room enough for proper soil preparation and requirement.
Proper size of the planters is required while considering soil preparation. This is because you will need to make the right mix of the soil and put in the pots. Ideally, most cultivars will need a light weight and soilless mix. It must contain:
- Peat moss
- Coir
- Bark and
- Perlite.
All these must be mixed in appropriate proportion and will need the right amount of space. It is for this reason you will need to buy self-watering planters for sale that are specially designed for container gardening.
- Right size of pots will allow you to spread the potting mix evenly into the pots and also soak it comprehensively with water.
- It will also facilitate the draining of the excess water.
- Right sized pots will allow you to leave at least 1 to 2 inches of space below the rim after you put the soil mix so that you have enough room for the plastic sheet or mulch cover to put over.
Therefore, when you choose the right size of the planter you will be able to retain the required level of moisture in the pot, reduce growth of weeds and at the same time prevent washing or blowing away of the fertilizer strip.
Water and nutrients
The benefit choosing a self-watering pot is that you do not have to do anything else apart from adding fertilizer and lime during the time of planting. When you have the size of the pot and the watering wick of the right type, the plant you want to grow will get the necessary nutrients and water. All you have to do is:
- Mix a pound Dolomite or lime with calcium and magnesium into the soilless potting mix
- Use analysis such as 5-10-5, 5-10-10, or 6, 12-12 for fertilizer and place it on the container side opposite to the plants
- Make sure that you use only 2 cups of synthetic or 3 cups of organic fertilizer strip mixed in right proportion up to 2 to 3 inches of the top soil
- Do not use any slow-release fertilizer.
When you are done with it, make sure that the water reservoir under the box is properly filled. Make sure that you never water the plants through the top.
Finally, choosing the right size of a planter will also depend on the final size the plant you want to grow will achieve. If it is known to grow too tall and become heavy at the top, you will need a pot with a larger diameter and solid base to prevent it from tipping over. On the other hand, small plants can be grown in multiples in larger containers or separately in small containers.
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