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Your Planter Containers - Are They Happy?

Each area that you choose for your garden planters will affect the growth and needs of each plant – just like us, they need to be in a place where they can be Happy! If your deck or patio is in a south facing position, you will need to routinely rotate the pots and garden planters so that the foliage and of course the flowers don’t face away from the sitting area where they can be seen. If you place your containers and pots right against the south facing wall, then you will not need to turn them frequently, however there are other considerations for keeping your plants happy and healthy.
If you are not at home during the day, it would be best to find a spot for your plants where they can receive some afternoon shade. Plants in afternoon shade won’t suffer from the heat as much and will be less likely to need watering in the afternoon. Deck and Patio areas that are exposed to the morning sun do better than those exposed to sun all day. The ultimate is to have morning sun and afternoon shade. You will want to seek out a site that has some afternoon sun to give the annuals the heat they crave if you live in an area where summers are cool and wet. We can take other certain measures to ensure Happy Plant Containers no matter what the conditions.
Plants grown in a windy area dry out more quickly – they lose more water through their leaves. Brown, dried-out leaf tips and tattered leaves are signs of wind damage. Try to find sheltered pockets or use upright trellises to help block out the wind and keep the scents of your flowers lingering around longer on your patio. Groupings of garden planters also cut down on the need to water. They protect each other.
There are certain areas that we would consider “hot spots” on our deck or patio or even in our gardens. Two areas may receive the same amount of sun; however, one area is protected from the wind and will be much much hotter. Reflected heat from a sidewalk or wall can also make one area much warmer than another. If you do garden where the summers are very hot and humid, it pays to know just where those hot spots are. Either avoid them or ensure that you planters and containers contain heat tolerant plants such as ornamental peppers. Of course, be prepared to water more often.
The joy of having happy Plant Containers – set your pots near seating areas and along walkways and fill them with aromatic plants. Choose plants with fragrant flowers or ones with foliage that release its scent when you brush against it. Flowers that give a fragrance are best next to benches or low seats – you don’t want to miss what they offer.
Enjoy your Happy Garden Planters.