Container gardening means just that: Gardening in a container, any kind of container.

Old wash tubs, buckets, laundry baskets, enamel pots, ceramic pots, plastic pots ... virtually any kind of container can be used.

Container gardening is a way for everyone to have plants anywhere. The container can be on your porch, on a windowsill, in your yard, beside your front steps on a deck or patio, any place you can fit a container.

The only requirement is that the container has some way for the water to drain away from the plant’s roots so they don’t become waterlogged and begin to rot. If the container has a drainage hole, be sure to place something beneath the container so the surface under the container isn’t damaged.

You can grow almost anything in a container: flowers, vegetables, herbs, even small shrubs or trees if the container is large enough. You can mix plants if you are careful to put plants with similar needs in the same pot.

For example, geraniums like lots of sun and rather dry conditions, so you would plant them with other plants that like sun and dry soil. Plants such as impatiens and coleus that prefer less sun and more water should be planted in a different container.

Remember that potted plants have only the soil in the pot to provide their nutrients, so you must keep replenishing those nutrients. At planting time, you may incorporate a slow-release fertilizer into the soil. This will reduce, but not eliminate, applications of fertilizer during the rest of the season.

Without a slow-release fertilizer, you will need to apply fertilizer about every 10 days. Whichever fertilizer you use, follow the label instructions carefully.

To extend the bloom period, you must deadhead the flowers. Deadheading is simply removing the dead or dying flowers. Nature has programmed plants to flower and develop seed. When the seeds have formed, the plant believes its job is done and it stops blooming.

You have to keep removing the spent flowers if you want to prolong the bloom period. If you check your plants and remove dead flowers every day or so, it won’t take more than a few minutes and your plant will bloom almost continuously.

It is important to water your plant as needed. Sun and wind dry the soil and the plant needs water to survive. During extremely hot weather, you may have to water every day.

Be sure you place your containers carefully. A place that is shady in the morning can be quite hot and sunny after midday. If your plants prefer less sun, place them where they will get sun in the morning and shade in the hotter part of the day. Of course, if your plants are sun-lovers, it is better for them to have morning shade and afternoon sun.

Growing Green” is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-746-1970.