Potting Pots in 2020

Today, and could change tomorrow, nurseries are considered essential businesses and can remain open with stipulations.  Most are offering curb side pick up after you order by phone or on line.  Some are letting a few people inside at a time but you must keep the distancing.  Still others are closed while waiting it out.

All businesses are facing extreme challenges and many have totally different issues.  With a greenhouse full of annuals, you either sell them in the spring/early summer or you'll have a lost season.  You loose the cost of the plants, fertilizer, heat, seeds, labor and I'm sure hundreds of other things I don't understand.  And like so many other businesses, this could ruin nurseries and greenhouses.

I see it on line with the "sales" being offered, the free shipping, the plea to order.  I see it on Facebook with local nurseries trying to do anything legal to get their plants into customers' hands. 

Apparently, they're essential because they sell food plants.  They can also sell other annual and perennial plants that can be sold along with the necessities.

Right now I was thinking of some plants I have in the ground that will suffice until I can get to my favorite greenhouses.

The ideas:  

• Hosta.  I have a ton of hosta, some so average I've divided it a zillion times.  A big clump in a pot would look nice the entire summer (in semi shade) and in the fall could again by plopped back into the yard.
• Daylily:  I have some vigorous daylilies might do well in pots.  A medium clump might work (in the sun) and might be worth a shot.
• Ground cover:  If I could dig ALL my ground cover and put them in pots and then hit them with a flame thrower, I'd be a happy gardener.  In leu of that, they might be pretty and they would vine/hang down.
• Black-eyed Susans:  Hardy (full sun) and might make the leap. 

The problem with growing perennials in pots, is that not many bloom all summer like annuals.

I have a few annuals that self seed.  Cosmos, Cleome and some salvia, morning glory.  No idea if they would transplant well but worth a try. 

Then there's the whole fun experiment of taking parts of vegetables/fruits and starting them in potting soil or water:  Celery, onions, pineapple,  potatoes, lettuce, leeks, carrots, basil, mint, cilantro, bok choy, cabbage.  Google if you want directions.

Using house plants is always an easy option - be sure to use the same conditions/care outside as inside.  That leftover poinsettia will thrive outside for the summer.    

Using the seed from an avocado - you won't usually get a producing plant but it might be pretty.  

You can always order seeds - do it now if you want them to be thriving by warm weather.  

That little tomato plant that self seeded would transplant easily into a pot.  

If you have cedars, they are always sending up seedlings and could be part of a pot design.  

One thing to consider is if you do use perennials in your pots, there's a chance they will eventually die before you can get them in the ground and established again.  Best to use extras. 

Another thing is if you don't have potting soil, you will have to use garden soil and it won't be as perfect.  It may take a little more care this summer to get things to thrive.

Keep a bucket of water in a planter and fresh evergreens will stay green for weeks.  Check often to make sure you aren't breeding mosquitoes - no sense trading one problem for another. 

Or use your garden pots for something totally different than growing things:  

• Fill full of glass balls.
• Turn them upside down and use as stands or tables on the patio.
• Turn upside down and put the saucer on top, fill with water and use as a birdbath or fill with birdseed.
• Fill with sand and let the kids play in it.  Cover with saucer when not in use to keep clean.
• Make a fairy garden using no or very little actual live plants.
• Put empty wine bottles upside down in the pot and wind some twinkle lights through for an outside nite lite decoration.
• Keep all the flip flops in one place.
• Use two upside down spaced apart, place a board on them and use as a shelf.  If they're heavy duty, use as seating.  If they're tall, use as a serving table/or/bar.

Pots/saucers used as bird baths.

And when the Coronavirus is eliminated - flock to your favorite nurseries and help them stay in business while beautifying your own home and gardens. 

(I've scattered above some spring flowering bulbs and birds at my feeder just to have the beauty.)