| Advice Scan this page to find some simple information that will help you maintain your beautiful gardens. Having problems with zones? Need to know what kind of plants can be planted where? Click on these links to some helpful hints. |
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| Weather-Proof Your Plants! |
| Proper Drainage |
| Pots and Perennials |
| Always choose a plant for a container that is at least hardy to a zone two levels down from the one you live in. For instance most of Victoria is either a zone 8 or 9. So when you are purchasing plants for your container garden, choose ones that are hardy in zone 6, 7, or colder. The harshest environmental hazard for a plant in a container is the wind blowing against the roots. This dries out a plant faster than it would if the plant were in the ground. Make sure you keep your plants moist with regular watering. You can help insure your plants survive the wind and cold winter temperatures by insulating your pot with Styrofoam along the insides. |
| Always make sure your pots are raised above your balcony or patio surface so they can drain adequately, and so they do not harbour moisture on the floor surface - which can ruin it over time. Insure that every pot has a drainage hole in the bottom. Without being able to drain, your plant's roots can rot and harmful salts can build up in the soil. |
| When using containers for perennials, use the very largest pot you can fit into your space. The more room for root growth, the better for perennial plants. Include lots of perennials in your pots, so that you don't have to replant the entire pot every year. |