Fall flower boxes and tips needed

[pinksand]

I have failed miserably with my balcony boxes this year. First, I planted them a bit too early and experienced some cold damage. They started coming back and then we were hit with all that rain! I had forgotten to remove the drainage plugs and I had some casualties from all the water. In late June I decided I was going to start over again. I composted the dead and re-potted the sad looking survivors in some random pots in the backyard where it didn't matter that they weren't looking their best. Most of those are now thriving in the backyard. My new flower boxes in the front were coming along nicely, although requiring lots of water now that the drainage plugs were removed and we had a hot dry spell. Well I came back from vacation a few days ago to discover that my sister watered everything but my balcony boxes The only plants that aren't brown are my portulaca that I grew from seeds I collected last year and randomly tossed in this year. Well there isn't much point in starting over now, so I was thinking that maybe I would wait a bit until I can plant them for fall.

The site receives FULL sun. I'm not a fan of the ornamental cabbages and I'm having trouble finding fall planter ideas since the cabbages seem to be quite popular. I was thinking maybe some dusty miller, mums, pansies, and purple fountain grass. Are there any "spillers" that would survive into the fall? When would be best to plant? It seems that now would be fine for mums, but It's a bit early for pansies right?

Also, I have to admit I have no idea what to do when it comes to fertilizing pots! I'm always scared to overdo it so I just don't end up fertilizing at all. Somehow my boxes were beautiful and healthy last year with just some miracle grow potting mix. Clearly I have a ways to go and some experience to get under my belt... hopefully all of this years failures will mean more success next year!

Tips and advice are much appreciated!

[applestar]

I think if you are Ok with chemical ferts, slow release like osmocote or jobs spikes are the easiest.

I like the combination of compost and earthworms in the containers, plus watering with UCG water and diluted leftover beverages and rinse out dregs of beverage containers, then occasional boost with compost tea or organic fertilizer tea.

[rainbowgardener]

You are talking about buying plants, not planting seeds, right? Really not much you could be starting from seed now for fall color. What you listed is a good start. The other classic fall flower is aster which come in a variety of colors and sizes and get covered in cute little daisy like flowers. For a spiller, you can try variegated ivy. It's not flowering, but it will stay crisp looking all through the fall:



https://img4.myhomeideas.com/I/2008/10/1 ... wers-l.jpg

asters and variegated ivy in a fall flower box

[pinksand]

Re: Fertilizer...

If I were to go the compost route, how often would I need to add it? I feel silly that I've never thought to add worms to my pots. I think I've read that sometimes newspaper is added to worm bins, would this be good to do in the pots to keep the worms happy? You mentioned beverage dregs... would milk traces be okay? I know that dairy isn't usually recommended for composting so I wasn't sure if this also applied here?

Re: Plants...

How could I have forgotten asters?! Maybe I'll go with an orange and purple theme. Oh and yes, I meant grown plants, not seeds at this point. What would you recommend regarding planting time? Is now too early?

[rainbowgardener]

Whether it's too early depends on your weather. The fall stuff doesn't like hot and dry, especially in a full sun location. As soon as the weather breaks and you are having fall weather, not summer, it is probably ok to plant.

[pinksand]

That's what I was afraid of, but probably already knew the answer to I guess I'll have to live with my crispy flower boxes until the weather cools

There's always next year right?!