A New Level of Gardening: Window Boxes

Are you running out of room in your garden? Feeling boxed in? That's terrific! A box can be quite liberating, particularly if it's a box full of flowers under your window. A form of container gardening, window boxes enable gardeners to bring bursts of color right up close to the house. Window boxes also provide gardeners with limited space an opportunity to expand their options. They can take your garden quite literally to another level.

Type of Window Box

Window boxes come in a wide range of styles and materials, including wooden, plastic, metal, fiberglass, and terra cotta. Each has pros and cons that should be carefully considered before selecting them. Many come with suitable hardware to secure them to the side of the house. Building your own window boxes also can be a fun and rewarding weekend project. Window boxes look best when they are at least as long the window is wide or even a few inches longer. Also, try to choose a style that compliments the architecture of your home.

For window boxes constructed from wood or other materials susceptible to weathering and decay, a liner helps them to last longer. Investing in a liner or other container to slip into the window box also facilitates planting, especially for hard-to-reach boxes. Simply place the plants and soil in the liner, then drop the whole thing into the outside box. Even better, when it comes time to clean it out in the winter, just lift out the liner and you're done.

Planting a Window Box

Planting a window box is much like planting any other container. You must consider the hours of sunlight it will receive and choose plants accordingly. Ensure it has proper drainage so that water will not collect on the bottom and rot the plants' roots. Use a bagged soil-less mix available at most garden centers. It is relatively lightweight, free of insects and diseases, and has a good water holding capacity. Because soil-less mixes are low in nutrients you will need to fertilize your window box plantings regularly. If you wish, you may mix in a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote before planting.

Many plants work well in window boxes, from annuals and grasses to shrubs and miniature roses. First, lay out your plants while they're still in their pots. Buy small ones, in cell-packs or four-inch containers. Not only are they more economical in this size, they are also easier to work with. In no time, they will grow into a lush and beautiful display.

Feel free to experiment with different plant combinations but avoid planting in rows. Instead, stagger plants in a zigzag pattern which will look less rigid. In general, place taller plants in the back, closest to the window. Next, have some mounding plants of middle height. Finally, include some trailing plants that will spill down the side of the window box.

-Viveka Neveln

Viveka Neveln has a degree in Horticulture from Iowa State University and a degree in Plant Pathology from Cornell University. She has worked with the Iowa State extension service, the Chicago Botanic Gardens, a landscaping company, and a garden center. Her writing has been published by various magazines, newspapers,
and Web sites.

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