Features

 

 

 

ground set it on
something high
enough to allow the
water to filter out
through the bottom.
You can also put
pebbles, broken
dishes-anything that
won't degrade-in the
bottom of the pot to
increase drainage. And
don't forget to put
something undér the
pot to catch the run
off so it won't stain
your balcony.

 

Pots will range in cost
depending on where

 

 

W

 

you find them—from =
no cost to $1.50 to $20.00
or more.

Soil—a basic ingredient

oil is cheap-and very accessible.
S= local garden centre should

sell an all-purpose potting soil
that is adequate for container
gardening. The cost for a 20-litre bag

of Planter Box Mix will run you
approximately $3.99.

Most potting soils contain enough
nutrients to last for approximately
six weeks. After that, however, plants
need to be fed or they will slowly
starve. There are several types of
plant foods available. One option is a
slow-release plant food granule. This
type of food lasts for the entire
season. A 250g container will cost
you approximately $4.99. Another
option is a basic 20/20/20 soluble

fertilizer that you administer every
two weeks. A 250g container will run
you around $3.99.

An organic food
option for

your garden is
compost.

Compost is a natural fertilizer you
can mix in with your container soil,
and your soil will love it. It improves
plant nutrition, drainage, and water
holding capacity of soil, as well as
providing a home for lots of worms
and bugs. The city of Vancouver sells
worm composts for $25.00-including
worms-in which you throw vegetable
scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, gar-
den clippings and shredded newspa-
per.

ou can build your own
Ve Make a container out

of cedar siding, chicken wire,
or anything that will allow adequate
air circulation. Use Rot-It, an
environmentally friendly compost
building product that accelerates the
rotting process of compost, and apply
it to your layers of scraps. A 2.25-kg
container of Rot-It will cost you
about $4.00. Rot-It also publishes a
pamphlet with information about the
benefits of compost and how to build
your own composter. Environmental
organizations like Greenlinks will
have information on how to build
your own compost as well.

Plants, of course

you may want to begin with
annuals, as they are easy to care
for and last for only one season.

I you are just learning to garden,

June 1999 the Other Press page 15