Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces

275 Pages·2017·122.32 MB·English

by  Jessica Walliser

container
gardening
COMPLETE
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 1 6/5/17 2:39 PM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 1 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 11
© 2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
Text and photography © 2017 Jessica Walliser
First published in 2017 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310,
Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.QuartoKnows.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images
in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by
producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort
has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have
occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.
Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discount for retail, wholesale, promotional, and bulk purchase. For details, contact the
Special Sales Manager by email at [email protected] or by mail at The Quarto Group, Attn: Special Sales Manager, 401 Second
Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-1-59186-682-4
Digital edition: 978-0-76035-960-0
Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-682-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Walliser, Jessica, author.
Title: Container gardening complete : creative projects for growing vegetables
and flowers in small spaces / by Jessica Walliser.
Description: Minneapolis, MN : Cool Springs Press, 2017. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017011390 | ISBN 9781591866824 (hc)
Subjects: LCSH: Container gardening.
Classification: LCC SB418 .W355 2017 | DDC 635.9/86--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017011390
Acquiring Editor: Todd R. Berger
Project Manager: Alyssa Lochner
Art Direction and Cover Design: Cindy Samargia Laun
Page Design and Layout: Ashley Prine, Tandem Books
Illustration: Christopher R. Mills
Front and back cover photos by Jessica Walliser
Printed in China
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 2 12/6/17 12:56 PM
Text Black Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 2
© 2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
Text and photography © 2017 Jessica Walliser
First published in 2017 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310,
Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.QuartoKnows.com
container
QuartoKnows.com
Visit our blogs at QuartoKnows.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images
in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by gardening
producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort
has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have
occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.
COMPLETE
Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discount for retail, wholesale, promotional, and bulk purchase. For details, contact the
Special Sales Manager by email at [email protected] or by mail at The Quarto Group, Attn: Special Sales Manager, 401 Second
Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-1-59186-682-4
creative
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
projects for
Names: Walliser, Jessica, author.
growing
Title: Container gardening complete : creative projects for growing vegetables
and flowers in small spaces / by Jessica Walliser.
vegetables
Description: Minneapolis, MN : Cool Springs Press, 2017. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017011390 | ISBN 9781591866824 (hc)
Subjects: LCSH: Container gardening. and flowers
Classification: LCC SB418 .W355 2017 | DDC 635.9/86--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017011390 IN SMALL
Acquiring Editor: Todd R. Berger SPACES
Project Manager: Alyssa Lochner
Art Direction and Cover Design: Cindy Samargia Laun
Page Design and Layout: Ashley Prine, Tandem Books
Illustration: Christopher R. Mills
Front and back cover photos by Jessica Walliser
jessica walliser
Printed in China
(printer will drop
in FSC logo here;
12mm high)
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 2 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 3 6/5/17 2:40 PM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 2 6/2/17 4:10 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 3 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 2222 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 33
Contents
chapter 4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 7
Troubleshooting
INTRODUCTION 9
169
chapter 1
Getting
Started
15
chapter 5
Harvesting
and Seasonal
Considerations
chapter 2
Designing and 215
Planting Your
Containers
61
chapter 6
More Container
Concepts
243
chapter 3
Caring for Your
Containers
125
RESOURCE GUIDE 266
INDEX 268
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 272
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 4 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 5 6/5/17 2:40 PM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 4 5/24/17 1:07 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 5 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 4444 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 55
Contents
chapter 4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 7
Troubleshooting
INTRODUCTION 9
169
chapter 1
Getting
Started
15
chapter 5
Harvesting
and Seasonal
Considerations
chapter 2
Designing and 215
Planting Your
Containers
61
chapter 6
More Container
Concepts
243
chapter 3
Caring for Your
Containers
125
RESOURCE GUIDE 266
INDEX 268
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 272
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 4 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 5 6/5/17 2:40 PM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 4 5/24/17 1:07 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 5 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 4444 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 55
Acknowledgments
Container Gardening Complete has been one of Ron Sims was gracious enough to design and
To my son Ty, the most ambitious projects of my career. build the two woodworking projects featured in the
I learned a lot along the way and had a heck of first chapter—the Cedar Planter Box and the Pot
the most amazing thing
a good time designing, building, growing, and Dolly. Thank you, Ron, for your attention to detail,
I’ve ever grown. photographing all the fantastic projects. None of your creative work, your good nature, and for
it would have been possible without the help of allowing me to feature your designs in these pages.
the great crew of professionals at Cool Springs Thank you to my neighbors and friends, the
Press, my supportive family, an amazing group Kennedys, the Normans, the Washburns, the
of photogenic friends, and a rock-solid bunch of Seversons, and the Bertys, for allowing me to
gardening compadres. To all of you, I give a gigantic, stage some of the photographs at your homes.
heart-felt thank you! And, a big-time hats-off to the many wonderful
My editor, Todd Berger, deserves a big dose of gardeners who let me come to their gardens and
gratitude for entrusting me with this project and take photographs, including Mary Odom, Anna
handing me the reins to run with it. Thank you for Singer, Jessica Carson, Robyn Macerelli, Katie
answering my many questions and for everything Casker, Seth and Sonja Finn, Zolina Cook, Joyce
you did to help this book come to fruition. It’s Bolanovich, Jamie Earl, Ilona Yerger (my awesome
been a pleasure working with you! mom!), and the World’s Best Kitty and Garden
To my band of extremely gracious models/ Sitter, Liza Thornton.
friends, Brad and Greta Severson, Bobby and Lisa To Paul Wiegman: I’m going to thank you
Standish, Rebecca and Mike Berty, Ron Sims, forever and ever for all you did way back when
Susan Washburn, Nora Pickell, Liza Thornton, to help me develop this wonderful little career of
Kelli Russo, Jackie Simpson, and Hannah Reiff, mine. Had you not welcomed me into the world of
I raise a glass to you and thank you for your radio all those years ago, things would not be as
willingness to hold a prolonged pose and dig into they are today.
a project with energy and enthusiasm—and for My fabulous business partners at
wearing long sleeves and pants on some very SavvyGardening.com, Niki Jabbour, Amy
hot days! Andrychowicz, and Tara Nolan, have my utmost
Also, thank you to the good folks at Garden appreciation for their professionalism, humor, and
Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery in Wilkinsburg, friendship. When writing a book, there’s nothing
Pennsylvania, for their contribution to one of better than having the unfailing support and well-
the projects featured in this book, the Good Bug seasoned advice of other authors. You guys rock!
Wheelbarrow Garden. Randy and the crew at And most importantly, to my husband John
Soergel Orchards and Garden Center in Wexford, and my amazing son Ty: your inspiration, support,
Pennsylvania, deserve the same appreciation for and love mean the world to me. Without the two
providing me with some of the plants and gorgeous of you, life wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. You’re
containers found throughout these pages. everything that matters.
(cid:30)7
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 6 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 7 5/24/17 10:51 AM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 6 5/24/17 1:07 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 7 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 6666 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 77
Acknowledgments
Container Gardening Complete has been one of Ron Sims was gracious enough to design and
To my son Ty, the most ambitious projects of my career. build the two woodworking projects featured in the
I learned a lot along the way and had a heck of first chapter—the Cedar Planter Box and the Pot
the most amazing thing
a good time designing, building, growing, and Dolly. Thank you, Ron, for your attention to detail,
I’ve ever grown. photographing all the fantastic projects. None of your creative work, your good nature, and for
it would have been possible without the help of allowing me to feature your designs in these pages.
the great crew of professionals at Cool Springs Thank you to my neighbors and friends, the
Press, my supportive family, an amazing group Kennedys, the Normans, the Washburns, the
of photogenic friends, and a rock-solid bunch of Seversons, and the Bertys, for allowing me to
gardening compadres. To all of you, I give a gigantic, stage some of the photographs at your homes.
heart-felt thank you! And, a big-time hats-off to the many wonderful
My editor, Todd Berger, deserves a big dose of gardeners who let me come to their gardens and
gratitude for entrusting me with this project and take photographs, including Mary Odom, Anna
handing me the reins to run with it. Thank you for Singer, Jessica Carson, Robyn Macerelli, Katie
answering my many questions and for everything Casker, Seth and Sonja Finn, Zolina Cook, Joyce
you did to help this book come to fruition. It’s Bolanovich, Jamie Earl, Ilona Yerger (my awesome
been a pleasure working with you! mom!), and the World’s Best Kitty and Garden
To my band of extremely gracious models/ Sitter, Liza Thornton.
friends, Brad and Greta Severson, Bobby and Lisa To Paul Wiegman: I’m going to thank you
Standish, Rebecca and Mike Berty, Ron Sims, forever and ever for all you did way back when
Susan Washburn, Nora Pickell, Liza Thornton, to help me develop this wonderful little career of
Kelli Russo, Jackie Simpson, and Hannah Reiff, mine. Had you not welcomed me into the world of
I raise a glass to you and thank you for your radio all those years ago, things would not be as
willingness to hold a prolonged pose and dig into they are today.
a project with energy and enthusiasm—and for My fabulous business partners at
wearing long sleeves and pants on some very SavvyGardening.com, Niki Jabbour, Amy
hot days! Andrychowicz, and Tara Nolan, have my utmost
Also, thank you to the good folks at Garden appreciation for their professionalism, humor, and
Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery in Wilkinsburg, friendship. When writing a book, there’s nothing
Pennsylvania, for their contribution to one of better than having the unfailing support and well-
the projects featured in this book, the Good Bug seasoned advice of other authors. You guys rock!
Wheelbarrow Garden. Randy and the crew at And most importantly, to my husband John
Soergel Orchards and Garden Center in Wexford, and my amazing son Ty: your inspiration, support,
Pennsylvania, deserve the same appreciation for and love mean the world to me. Without the two
providing me with some of the plants and gorgeous of you, life wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. You’re
containers found throughout these pages. everything that matters.
(cid:30)7
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 6 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 7 5/24/17 10:51 AM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 6 5/24/17 1:07 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 7 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 6666 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 77
Introduction
Container gardening is far from a new invention. of mulch, or fire up even a single piece of gas-
Humans have been growing plants in vessels since powered equipment. Heck, you don’t even have to
soon after the Neolithic Revolution thousands own a shovel to grow plants in containers.
of years ago. While the methods and materials We’re also gardening in pots for purposes
we use have certainly changed over the years, beyond ourselves. We’re designing plantings to
our intent has not. We continue to grow plants attract and support butterflies, bees, and other
in containers to provide food and beauty for
ourselves and those we love.
At the beginning, humans who grew plants
in pots may have done so to overcome adverse
soil conditions, more carefully tend a highly
treasured medicinal plant, or focus irrigation
needs on a smaller area in places where water
was scarce. Today’s gardeners, however, have a far
more diverse list of reasons for growing plants in
containers. Yes, many of us still use containers to
avoid having to garden in soil with poor drainage,
contaminants, or lousy fertility, and we still use
them to grow coveted plants. But we also grow
plants in containers to save time and space,
reduce weeding and other chores, beautify our
living spaces, and show off our creativity and
sense of personal style.
Container gardening allows us to grow our
own fresh food, even in a very limited space, and
it affords a level of flexibility not found when
growing these plants in the ground. With container
gardening, we can feed our families without ever
having to turn the sod, spread wheelbarrows
There are many reasons to grow plants in containers, Container gardens can be designed to provide habitat
including avoiding soil conditions that are less than and food for pollinators, such as this great spangled
ideal, saving space, reducing gardening chores, fritillary butterfly.
growing food, or perhaps just because you want to
grow something beautiful.
(cid:30)9
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 8 5/24/17 10:51 AM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 9 5/24/17 10:51 AM
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 8 5/24/17 1:07 PM 700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 9 5/24/17 1:07 PM
Text Black JJJJoooobbbb::::00006666----777700000000333300009999 TTTTiiiittttlllleeee:::: CCCCPPPPSSSS ---- CCCCoooonnnnttttaaaaiiiinnnneeeerrrr GGGGaaaarrrrddddeeeennnniiiinnnngggg CCCCoooommmmpppplllleeeetttteeee Text Black JJoobb::0066--770000330099 TTiittllee:: CCPPSS -- CCoonnttaaiinneerr GGaarrddeenniinngg CCoommpplleettee
####111177775555 DDDDttttpppp:::: 222222229999 PPPPaaaaggggeeee:::: 8888 ##117755 DDttpp:: 222299 PPaaggee:: 99