Container gardening tips
Readers share helpful suggestions for growing even better potted plants.
When space is limited, I use a tomato cage in a pot and plant snow peas, scarlet runner beans and other climbers. I space the seeds about 1 inch apart both inside and outside the lowest ring.
Plastic lids from food containers make great drain dishes for square pots.
Mary Kay Wierenga SARANAC, MICHIGAN
Put full sun plants together—keep shade plants separate.
Mary Anne Thygesen PORTLAND, OREGON
When I was growing up, our neighbor always poured leftover coffee in her houseplants. I’ve been doing that and my plants love it! Laurie Lundy FORT WORTH, TEXAS
I follow this rhyme when choosing plants for containers: a thriller, a spiller and a filler. More than that, though, use great soil and tightly pack in plants.
Pat Northington AUSTIN, TEXAS
Cut landscape fabric or paper towels so it’s larger than the pot’s diameter. I place this over the drainage hole to keep the potting soil from filtering through.
Donna Rearick SALTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA