Containers are a great way to bring flowers right up to your porch, patio, or front steps — no digging required, and you can move them around as the light or season changes. The soil you choose matters even more here, since your plant's whole world is that one pot.

o Choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom without them, water has nowhere to go and roots can quickly rot. Pick a size that gives your plant's roots room to grow, sizing up as it matures rather than starting in something too large.

o Most flowering annuals and perennials want at least 6 hours of direct sun a day to bloom their best, though some varieties are happy in partial shade check your plant tag if you're unsure.

o Fill your container about 3/4 of the way with Bar Harbor Blend Potting Soil. Set your plant's root ball in place, then fill in Bar Harbor Blend around all sides until it's snug. The exact amount you'll need depends on the size of your plant's root ball and container.

o Tamp the soil down gently to remove air pockets, then water thoroughly right after planting until water runs from the drainage holes this helps the soil settle in around the roots.

o If you're growing taller or top-heavy flowers, like dahlias or tall zinnias, in a container, a simple stake or small trellis will help keep them upright once the blooms get heavy.

o Water regularly, and check the soil daily during hot or dry stretches containers dry out much faster than raised beds or in-ground gardens, especially smaller pots. A quick finger test (an inch or two into the soil) will tell you if it's time to water.

o Check on your plants regularly to monitor soil moisture and scout for early signs of pests or disease good airflow and not overcrowding your containers goes a long way toward preventing issues like powdery mildew.

o Deadhead spent blooms regularly snip them off just above a leaf node to encourage the plant to keep producing new flowers instead of going to seed.

o During the growing season, feed your plants with our Fertilizer for Roses & Flowers, mixed 2-3 tablespoons per gallon of soil into the top 2 inches, every 4-5 weeks.

We Suggest:

Need More Help? Check out our Growing Guide Blogs below:

Perennially Wonderful Containers

Cold Hardy Annuals for Early Spring Containers