Joy in the Garden

Green thumb??...Here are a few gardening tips from the incredibly talented, Master Gardener Joy Bossi of 'Joy in the Garden' whom I had the pleasure of meeting this week. She was a doll! (I should also give a shout out to Cactus and Tropicals who provided the beautiful potted displays--including the evening primrose whose flowers last only one night, blooming as the sun goes down and then dying off at night--hence its name!)

• When planting a container garden, pack the flowers in tightly, unlike traditional gardening where flowers need a little elbow room. Pack the potting soil also and continue packing until it won't pack anymore (potting soil should be moist when you start.)
• Let your watering can (filled with water) sit out overnight to let the chlorine dissipate. Water should be tepid.
• Continually replenish your fertilizers! Either put fertilizer in your water or use fertilizers that stay put (Osmocote). Slow release fertilizers are usually good for around four months.
• At the nursery peek at the bottom of the flower or plant. If it is SOLID white, move on to another plant. Make sure you can see the soil in between the roots (this means the flowers are fresher.)
• Avoid the "rocks in the bottom" method to make sure your pots have proper water drainage. Placing rocks in the bottom of your planter actually make less room for the roots to grow. Instead use the "pot in pot" technique. Pot your plants in a plastic pot with holes at the bottom, place it on top of an old jar lid (to raise it up) and place it in your decorative pot.
• Unglazed terra cotta pots wick water away from the potting soil. They are great for succulents! Make sure to soak your pot in water first.
• Herb gardens are great in containers! Don't limit them to traditional gardening.
• Don't attempt to plant around the trunks of pine or spruce trees. If anything, shade loving plants planted around the edges do best.

For more info check out Joy for yourself! She is on Good Things Utah every Wednesday and Friday and has her own radio show every Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 am on KNRS 570 am.