Window Boxes

Window Boxes

What You’ll Need:
Essential Items Desirable Items
Sturdy window box Flower food
T&C Potting Mix Small pruners
Root stimulator Watering can
Assortment of flowers Garden Gloves

Bigger is better – Homeowners often make the mistake of using window boxes that are not proportional to the size of window they are enhancing. All window boxes should extend the entire width of the window. A general rule-of-thumb for the height on the window box is 20% the height of a tall window and 25% the height of a shorter window.

Holding up under pressure-When soil in a window box is wet, it can be very heavy. Use a peat-based soil mix. It weighs less, yet stays more moist.

The secret-The secret of lush window boxes is overcrowding. Place plants closer together than you would in the flowerbed and check frequently for dead leaves and blossoms.

It’s like taking a picture-Arranging plants in the window box is just like taking school pictures; the tall in the back, the short in the front. Plan your window box to include plants that feature a wide variety of colors, shapes, and textures. A well-balanced window box should include: plants in the back that grow upright to provide a backdrop, center plants for a mounding habit, front plants to trail over the edge of the planter.

Let’s plant-After planning your display, fill the window box ½ full of soil, then water planting media before planting. Plant firmly into soil, and as pointed out above – crowd plants for a great look. After you finish planting, water thoroughly.

Don’t forget the water-Soil/plants in window boxes dry out quicker than if they were planted in the ground. Water by touch, but also sometimes by sight. To test, push your finger one inch into the planting mix in the window box. If the potting mixture feels dry, it’s time to water. When you water, fill the container to the top. Be sure to apply enough water that it drains out the bottom.