How to take care of your container gardens this summer

July is extra hot, so give extra care to container gardens. On this week's episode of the Gardening Tips podcast, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Jacob Burns talks about how to care for container gardens.

Potting mix is great for container gardens. It is lightweight and drains quickly to prevent overwatering. But on hot or windy days, it can dry out fast. To remedy this, increase your watering schedule in summer as the plants mature and the days heat up.

To test your container for moisture, stick your finger in the first inch of soil. If dry, water until you see some coming out of the bottom of your pot.

With frequent watering, nutrients found in the potting mix are eventually flushed out. It is important to replenish these by fertilizing your container garden regularly. The frequency of application depends on the type of fertilizer. Liquid soluble fertilizers can be applied every 2-3 weeks while slow-release fertilizers are needed every three months. Always follow the package directions.

Every Saturday, listen to a new episode of the Gardening Tips podcast for timely tips on all things plants, gardens and the great outdoors. Look for the latest episode here.

Make sure to subscribe to Gardening Tips on WBBM Newsradio on the Audacy app; leave us a review & rate on Apple Podcasts, too!

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram I TikTok