If you are considering a small space garden, window box gardening may be right for you. This method will allow you to maximize the space and grow as many plants as you like. However, window box gardening is more challenging than other types of small-space gardening because of the many different plants you’ll need to care for. Because of this, fertilizing is important and should be done as soon as possible. Use a water-soluble 15-30-15 fertilizer every couple of weeks and mix it into the soil. The most common plants for window box gardens include red verbena, blue lobelia, and annual grasses like foxtail and millet.
Vegetables
If you don’t have enough space for a full-sized vegetable garden, you can grow a few vegetables in your window box. Plants such as lettuce, pansies, and onions need cooler temperatures and can grow in window boxes. You can buy seedlings or start your vegetables from seed, depending on your preferences and available space. Seedlings grow much faster than transplants, so you’ll have a greater selection to choose from.
To start with, select varieties that have shallow roots. For instance, tomatoes should be determinate and peppers should be dwarf varieties. Herbs and greens will also grow well in window boxes. Herbs are excellent companions, as they can add flavor to food. You can also grow mint, thyme, chives, and parsley. You can experiment with other vegetables and see which ones thrive best in your window box.
Herbs
Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your food. They are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and produce plenty of flavor. The plants grow well in sun to part-sun locations. In the meantime, you can enjoy the fragrant leaves and flowers of these perennials. Harvesting them frequently is an important part of maintaining a healthy window box herb garden. Here are a few tips to make the most of your window box herb garden.
If you’re growing herbs in a window box, be sure to rotate the planter regularly to ensure even exposure to all parts. Fertilize your window box once a month. Make sure to avoid over-feeding your plants. Herbs produce the best flavor when they aren’t overfed. For best results, place the planters on sunny, south-facing areas of your yard. Aside from being exposed to the most sunlight, they shouldn’t be exposed to too much heat.
Flowers
When you plant window boxes with flowers, consider planting the type of light that they’ll receive. Shade-tolerant plants will bloom best. For example, if your window box receives two hours of direct sunlight daily, choose plants that need less light, like nasturtiums, caladiums, and geraniums. You can also use plants that cascade over the sides of the box, such as coleus or caladium.
For flowers that thrive in shade, try Impatiens, a shade-tolerant flower that produces lots of blooms. It needs no deadheading and is easy to maintain. You can find them for as low as $7.64 (four-inch pot) on Etsy. Impatiens walleriana are another low-maintenance option for window box gardens. They come in a wide array of colors and are very easy to care for.
Container garden
If you are not experienced with container gardening, you can still plant your plants in a window box. First, fill the window box with some potting soil, leaving about one inch of space between the bottom of the soil and the top of the box for drainage. Make sure to water your plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater them. If you have not watered them in a while, they may have dry roots and rot.
If you’re looking for flowers to grow in window boxes, you can use vibrantly colored thrillers, which have strong vertical stems and blooms. For shady locations, you can plant geraniums, coleus, nasturtiums, or a small hibiscus. Choose a couple of inch plants, which will cascade over the edge of the box.
Bird netting
Bird netting is an excellent way to protect your plants while at the same time attracting a variety of different wildlife to your window box garden. Most netting is made from durable plastic, but it is still susceptible to damage from the weather and wood moisture. To ensure its longevity, you should store the netting indoors. For safety purposes, choose a fine gauge. This gauge is less than one inch in diameter.
You can use two types of bird netting: small gauge plastic netting and soft PVC netting. If you can’t find any of these, you can also use a hooped row cover. Use three to five pieces of PVC at least 2 feet apart and zip-tie them to the arches. Alternatively, you can use a small net and place it at the top of an arched window box.
Watering
Taking care of your window box garden is important to keeping it healthy. Whether you choose annual or perennial plants, the window box needs weekly watering. Some types of container plants are hardier than others. You should also keep in mind that these gardens need regular fertilization. Fertilize them once a week with a liquid fertilizer. In hot weather, they may need more frequent watering. However, watering window box gardens at least weekly will help them grow healthy and attractive.
A self-watering window box system will save you the hassle of watering the garden manually. Whether you want to set a timer or purchase an automatic watering device, there are several methods to choose from. Using a wicking system will spread water evenly around the box. Another way is using a water bottle. Pour water into the bottle and place it in the window box. Or, you can use a wine bottle. Both options are safe and efficient.
