Annuals

Colorful and flavorful pots...pure happiness

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Text by Hélène Baril: Horticulturist, author & speaker

Growing plants in containers allows you to expand your horticultural horizon, vary your plant selection, and brighten up your patios, terraces, and balconies. No need to be a specialist to indulge in container gardening, a good soil mix, sun, warmth, containers of the right size, annual, perennial, vegetable, or aromatic plants, and you're good to go...

A good soil mix...and compost

A soil mix suitable for container gardening should be light, draining, and crumbly to reduce the risk of compaction and facilitate root development. Commercial mixes specially designed for this mode of cultivation have all these qualities.

The addition of compost, whether commercial or homemade, enriches the soil by providing organic matter, which facilitates the assimilation of nutrients (fertilizers) by the plant. The amount of compost added varies depending on the type of cultivation chosen, whether ornamental or vegetable. For annuals, a ratio of 1 part compost to 2 parts soil is recommended. Vegetable plants being more demanding, a ratio of 1 to 1 is necessary.

Criteria for the perfect pot...

To be considered as the "ideal" container, certain standards must be met to ensure the development of ornamental or edible plants.

All containers must be equipped with drainage holes. Cache pots without holes should be avoided.
The ideal pot should have a wide base and a diameter and depth of more than 30 cm.
Planters (balcony boxes) should measure at most 1.2 meters in length and their depth and width more than 20 cm.
Hanging baskets should have a depth of 25 cm or more and a diameter of at least 40 cm.
Vegetable tables should have a depth of 40 to 50 cm, a width of 1 meter, and a height (including legs) of 75 to 100 cm.
Water reservoir containers are a good solution if you need to be away regularly.
Containers made of geotextile membrane are well-suited for growing vegetables and small fruits.
For tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash, a container with a diameter and depth of 40 cm is recommended.
For radishes, carrots, parsnips, beans, spinach, lettuce, and herbs, opt for a planter with a depth of 25 to 30 cm.
Peppers and eggplants grow easily in containers with a diameter of 30 cm or more.

For plants that are water-demanding, plastic or resin pots are an excellent option.

Fertilizers

Annuals and some edible plants (tomatoes, eggplants, squash) are demanding and need to be fertilized. For your health and that of your plants, use specific fertilizers for container plants and follow the manufacturer's recommendations carefully.

Preparation and planting

Moisten the soil and compost
Place a screen or permeable membrane over the drainage hole(s)
Place drainage material at the bottom of the pot if the container is more than 45 cm deep. (rocks, styrofoam, etc.)
Completely cover the drainage with a permeable fabric (weed barrier style)
Add the moistened soil to the edge of the pot without compacting
Arrange the plants according to their height, mature size, growth habit, and water and light needs.
Plant the plants respecting the collar of the plant (junction between the stem and roots)
Compact the soil around the plants
Leave a watering collar of 3 to 5 cm between the soil and the edge of the pot
Water thoroughly
Remove most of the open flowers to promote the recovery of the root system