Try as I might I cant seem to find anything to do well in my window boxes during the summer I have 3,they all get some sun and then some shade. They dry out so fast .. In the heat of the summer sometimes Id have to water them 2 times a day.. during the cool months they are great but is it possible to have them during summer??? any suggestions???
window box suggestions
Have you tried those crystals that hold water? I can't for the life of me think what they're called. I have the same problem with a coco liner that gets about 10 hours of sun each day. By the time I get home in the afternoon it needs water again. Last year I used some of those crystals, and it helped some, I'm going to use more this year. You have to just experiment to get the right amount. Are the boxes fairly level? I don't know how wide they are, but can you use something similar to a jelly roll pan (ie, with shallow sides) that will hold water, and leave the plants in pots in the pan? You could water them in the morning, then the plants could suck up what water they need later in the day.
Lynn
they are the coco liner ones but I have lined them with a garbage bag so the water dosent run out so fast and it has a chance to get soaked iup.. Ive used the Soil Moist but have not had good luck with it except when Ive made cool ties for motrcycle riding..lol..the boxes are level and are about a foot wide and 10 inches deep
The pan idea is a good one but Id rather plant directly. Last summer I had the purple and green sweet potatoe vines in them and they just didnt do well.. I d love them to look like those lush full english garden ones but I know in the heat of summer here in Tx it aint gonna happen...lol..I also have tried nasteriums but those were a flop too.. I try to pick stuff that can take the heat but I guess Im not good at window boxes..lol.
I have 4 hanging from the porch railing on the northeast side of the house. and have the same problems. What had been growing well in spring, dies by early summer. I think those boxes were probably meant for the northern part of the country. Here, the soil dries out too fast, gets too hot and there isn't enough space for the roots to grow large enough to support the tops by summer. I've received a catalog from Kinsman Company who makes all kinds of coir liners and baskets. I have been tempted by all those gorgeous photos. There is a book that I thought I'd buy first. It would be the cheapest route to began with. It is supposed to contain lists of plants that do well in confined spaces, but, honestly, I bet even cactus would die in those boxes.
http://kinsmangarden.com/searchprods.asp
Have you tried lantana? It's pretty drought resistant.
It seems that all my life people have moved here from different parts of the country where they could have window boxes and hanging baskets and wondered why they can't have the same here. The answer seems to be that it is usually too hot and (believe it or not) too dry , despite our high humidity, to have successful boxes and baskets without a lot of trouble. It's like we have a hard time getting the right red geraniums to stay alive and well all summer long. "They" have improved them to the point that the RGs just last a little during the spring. You will hardly ever see window boxes here and few hanging baskets. In fact, I don't think that I have ever seen window boxes in Houston or the surrounding area.
Ann
I've only seen a few here, they don't get a lot of sun, and the plants are in pots.
guess Ill just have to plant them just for winter them..cause they do real well then!
One thing that I have found works pretty well is planting with succulents and sedums. I have one planted with them and some foxtail Asparagus fern for some variety of shapes and textures..Of course it won't look like an English garden but they have so many different shapes and sizes now of succulents that you can get a pretty look that will take our hot weather.I found that lining the pot with plastic and using those watersorb crystal things help a lot.
These can take heat, full sun and are long blooming, they're all perenials too. You could add them to the flower beds in the fall and start over on the boxes :0)
mexican heather http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/676/
texas scullcap http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51664/
creeping st. johnwort http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/81711/ not long blooming, nicer "filler"
moss rose http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/103788/
prostrate rosemary http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/58699/ not long blooming, nicer "filler"
Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/66899/
black footed daisy http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/259/
catmint http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/37051/
Here is where you can fine the crystals that hold water
Its called Polymer..
I bought 2lb about 4 years ago and still have about1/2 left I used most of it making cool ties,
http://watersorb.com/mainstore.html
Cheryl
While your plants' roots will grow through the polymer and use it as a reservoir, the polymer will not give up moisture to the surrounding growing media. Polymer will help extend the time to water as far as your plants are concerned, but you need to maintain a regular watering schedule to help your growing media remain healthy. Without moisture, the media begins to compact and you retard air flow, which is just as important to your plants' roots as watering. Also, adding a drop or two of dishwashing liquid once a week to your water before you water your plants helps the media remain healthy, as the dishwashing liquid acts as a surfactant, which is put into the media when it's blended, but tends to wash away over time.
Raven,
The only sure way to have good window boxes in summer anywhere in the south is to have an automatic watering system.
If you go to a local sprinkler outfit they should be able to set you up. They have plug in timers and battery operated ones too. The flexible plastic pipe is cheap and the other parts are not very expensive. You can hook these systems up to any hose bib.
I know it is a little brutal to say, but, you are not going to have success in summer with anything except cactus without a watering system. Once in place they last for years and then you can focus on enjoying your plants and trying new plant combos.
Here is a place that I installed 5 years ago. I go by this place once every 3 months and I change the flowers twice a year. You can't see the watering heads that come on twice a day for 10 minutes, but, take note of how shallow these containers are and they are growing very well>
Another set of containers on a system>
This is one 10 inch pot with winter flowers on a system, twice a day for 5 mins>
Go to the Dollar store and buy a cheap pack of diapers.....lay the diaper with the plastic side down, absorbant side up, then add soil, then your plants. Plants will stay nice and moist. Same difference as crystals, much less expensive ;)
There are window boxes all over Houston--just ride down Gessner Between I10 and Richmond. There is a large apt complex on the west side with window boxes all year long hanging from the wrought iron fence--about a block long full of them--black wrought iron with coco liners. Or go to the old Memorial, Montrose, or the Village. One of the best run co-ops at Daves right now has crystal polymers at the best prices you can find--I get mine from this co-op every year and no "incidentals" charges ever added.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/960021/
I never thought of diapers but if your going for cheap you could wash the packing out of meat trays ..same thing :)
Yep....xtra absorption feminine napkins will work too. Someone on DG had mentioned this earlier that they learned it at a large garden convention.
LOL...LOL...still....LOL
We had a pick up when first young one was born. On a road trip we didn't have any place to toss a dirty diaper, into the back of the truck it went and forgotten about. A few days later after a rain, I see DH wrestling with a big (huge) white mass. The look on his face was priceless. Those things will indeed hold A LOT of water :0)
hehe Lynea, they sure will! Ever see a waddling baby with one too wet? ROTFLMAO
Ill try the diaper suggestion.. Ive used the polymer but it didnt seem to work well for me.. Ive got a few more weeks left in my pansies I think then Ill use some of the suggestions given for plants to use.. Im leaning towards the lantana cause of the colors available but well see what the budget can bear!..lol..