Container Magic – Helpful How-to Tips on Planting Your Garden in a Container 

Container gardening is a fun and easy way to beautify a yard or small garden space. Containers are perfect for most environments and people of all gardening levels. They are portable and offer endless possibilities. 

Choose the best container for your garden

There are many types of containers to consider, including terra cotta, glazed clay and ceramic, plastic, fiberglass, wood, and metal. Think about the proper pot for the plant’s size, the effect of the pot material on soil and root temperature, the pot’s weight and portability, and personal tastes. Say “yes” to a hole for proper drainage. Do not add rock/gravel at the bottom of the pot; this lessens root space and shifts the saturation zone up. Cover the hole with pottery shards or a piece of fine screen to allow drainage and soil retention.

Choose the contents for your container garden

Choosing the right soil impacts water retention and drainage, aeration, and nutrient uptake. Use commercial potting mix as is if you are new to container gardening.

In choosing the right nursery stock consider the plant’s water and light requirements, bloom time, growth rate, mature size, fertilizer needs, and cold hardiness. Look for healthy leaves with no pests or weeds. The plant should display buds rather than open flowers, and light roots at the bottom drainage holes. Avoid roots circling the bottom of the pot. This is a sign that the plant might be root bound.

Container design 101 incorporates the concept of using a thriller, several fillers, and spillers.A thriller is a plant that acts as a vertical accent or focal plant. Thefillers are plants that add mass, and the spillers are plants that cascade over the side of the container. Consider design elements such as color, texture, size, and height when planting your container.

How to plant in a container garden

Plant the larger thriller first in the center of the pot. Work your way out with the fillers and end with the spillers. Fill in with potting soil, water, and enjoy. 

Remove the plant from the nursey container, and gently separate roots and slightly loosen its soil. Fill the container with enough moist soil so that the top of the plant’s root ball is a couple of inches below the pot rim. Fill in with more soil so the plant’s crown and stems are no deeper in the soil than they were in their nursery container. Press soil gently or tap pot to settle, and water.

Water as needed and fertilize according to product directions. Check weekly for pests and diseases and take quick action to address problems. Prune frequently by deadheading by removing faded flowers, pinching plant shoots to shape, and/or clipping to remove more plant material to shape and form as the plant grows.

When to repot your container garden

You may need to move up to the next size pot every two to three years. Look for a plant that seems too large for its pot or is pot bound.  Sunken soil levels, discolored leaves, and frequent wilting are also signs that repotting is needed.

Have other questions about how to plant a container garden? Reach out to the UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County! 

Ask a Master Gardener

This article originally appeared in the 03-26-25 Mountain Democrat and was written by UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County, Donna Marshall