Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2005
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/giftsdecor.html
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

Bringing Elegance To Your Home And Garden
April 2005
Karen Hull, Johnson's East Greenhouse Manager

    Spring is such an exciting time in the greenhouse! One of my
favorite "chores" (if you can call it that) is planting hanging baskets,
window boxes and patio planters with a variety of colorful plants.
Annuals, ornamental grasses, even perennials can be mixed together for
striking combinations.

    It's almost as much fun to pick out the container! This spring, we
have a huge selection of glazed pottery in colors of cobalt blue,
turquoise, dark green, shades of brown and ivory. These containers may
be used indoors or outside in the landscape.

    For outdoor use, nothing beats the elegance and versatility of
Austram planters with CocoMoss liner. These attractive and functional
planters are available in several styles and collections, including the
Queen Anne and Regal pieces pictured here.

    All the Austram wire baskets come pre-lined with a CocoMoss liner.
Replacement liners are available in pre-cut circles or by the foot in 2'
and 3' widths. CocoMoss liners may also be used with other planters or 
containers you may already have at home.

    To design your favorite Austram planters, you must first consider
whether the basket will be in a sunny or shady location. As a rule of
thumb, it is a good idea to select plants with similar growing
requirements. The size and number of plants will depend on the size of
the basket you have selected, and how quickly you need the basket to be
ready for show.

    Next, fill the basket halfway with ferti-lome Ultimate Potting Mix,
a light-weight soilless mix that's perfect for all your container
plantings. For summer "moisture insurance" mix in Soil Moist polymer
crystals. These crystals swell to hold water until it's needed by the
plants.

    Place the plants in the basket according to your design, starting in
the center and working to the outer rim. Press in firmly but gently and
then fill in with more potting mix to within 2" of the top. This 2" lip
allows the water to soak in thoroughly instead of washing over the sides
of the basket. Remember to feed your planters with ferti-lome Blooming
and Rooting to encourage more and bigger blooms.

    Many designs can be enhanced by side planting. Before filling the
basket with soil, mark the inside of the CocoMoss about three to four
inches from the top of the liner, between the ribs of the basket where
the plants are intended to go. Depending on the size of your basket, you
might want to mark two or three more rows further down. Using scissors
or a sharp knife, carefully cut a small X into the liner. Fill the
basket with soil. Place the side plants into the basket before planting
the rest.

    Feel free to select your favorite Austram planters, bring them out
to the greenhouse, and we'll help you select blooming annuals you can
enjoy all summer in your elegant new Austram planters!