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Container Gardening 101

If you think gardening requires a yard, look around. The City is in full bloom and not just in its parks. Flower-bedecked window boxes and ornamental containers are bursting with color and fragrance from Fishtown to South Philly, from Queen Village to Clark Park. We spoke with local container gardening expert Chris Carrington of City Gardening Guru and with City Planter to help you find the best options for your home and share some tips on how to get started with container gardening.

Know your zone

The USDA has mapped out the country and divided it into eleven growing zones, determined by weather patterns and average low temperature. Philadelphia falls into zone 7B which provides a moderately long growing season and an extensive array of flowers and plants that will thrive here.

Once you know your zone, identify the quality of light where your container will be placed. Full sun is best for: Marigold, Butterfly Bush, Zinnia, Sunflower, Lavender, Nasturtium, Sweet Pea, and Geranium. For partial sun, consider Petunia, Snapdragon, Phlox, and Begonia. Shade blooms include Coleus, Begonia, Hosta, and Bleeding Heart. Looking for green plants that like shade?  Choose from: Creeping Jenny, Heuchera, Euphorbia, Smoke Bush, and Ferns.

Hire a Guru

Chris Carrington, the founder of City Gardening Guru, specializes in designing container gardens of every size and shape, from individual planters to lush tropical jungles for decks, patios, and roofs. Her services include design, sourcing, installation, and maintenance, ensuring that your plants are thriving and appropriate for the season.  

A Bella Vista resident, Chris is actively involved with the South Street Community Garden, PHS City Harvest Project, Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP). “I care deeply about sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community outreach,” she said.

Image courtesy of Chris Carrington of City Gardening Guru.

Chris also volunteers her time to design and maintain the nine outdoor garden containers at Whole Foods on South Street. “They were interested in planting gardens that are not only beautiful, but that are also educational and sustainably native – supporting our local pollinators,” she said. 

Initial consultations are free, after which Carrington draws up plans that reflect the homeowner’s budget and preferences. She then sources containers from two local manufacturers, Pottery Pots and Campania. Next, comes the delivery of plant materials, including soil, typically an organic blend from Organic Mechanics. Plants come from local nurseries.

City Garden Guru can provide regular garden maintenance which comes with a one-year guarantee on the plants.  Or they will offer guidance so that you can care for your garden yourself.

Image courtesy of Chris Carrington of City Gardening Guru.

DIY

If you have a more modest budget and want to DIY it, City Planter in Northern Liberties has a large assortment of planters, outdoor plants, soil, and tools. They are well versed in container gardening and can provide some advice for aspiring container gardeners. 

The most common issue that gets brought up? Under and overwatering your plants. Do not count on rainfall to keep your plants hydrated. Containers require vigilant watering and in the summer, you may be watering once a day. City Planter has a great resource on their website with watering guidelines. They also provide “rehab” services for plants in dire need.  Just send them a photo of your sick plant and they will provide diagnosis and treatment. 

City Planter is currently closed to the public, but you may order online and use their curbside pick-up service daily or stop by their Walk-Up Window Saturdays and Sundays. They also have a discount section on their website titled “The Garage”, which consists of cuttings, pots/containers, and plants that do not meet their standard for retail sale. All the proceeds from items in this section are donated to local non-profit organizations.

Another easy way to get started on your houseplant journey is to stop by the PHS Pop Up on South Street! Solo Real Estate sponsors plant and seed packet giveaways throughout the season, and you could win a free plant just by stopping by to enjoy the space during their open hours

Location, Location, Location

Container planting can enhance the curb appeal of your home or business.  Window boxes can bring a splash of color and visual interest to any facade and modular trough containers can be used to create privacy screens or block out air conditioners and meters in backyard spaces or on roof decks.  

*Because of their smaller size, containers require vigilant watering.  In the heat of the summer, you may be watering once a day.  Be sure when you water, you are watering thoroughly, more than a gallon per plant is usually required.  It is unwise to count on rainfall to keep your plants hydrated. 

Image courtesy of Chris Carrington of City Gardening Guru

The National Wildlife Federation says, “Gardeners are both stewards and guardians of our environment and can make a difference in the fight against climate change.” Does this apply to container gardening? You bet! Whether you install a single window box in your rental apartment or turn the deck of your townhouse into a leafy enclosure, you will improve air quality and add beauty. Not just to your dwelling. But to our City.

PHS South St Pop Up Garden Returns

Do you want butterflies with that? The answer is yes at Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s PHS Pop Up Garden, 1438 South Street, opening April 1, 2021. This is the fourth year PHS’s urban oasis of lush foliage, tasty food, and drink is sponsored by Solo Real Estate. 

“We have partnered with PHS South Street Pop Up since 2018,” said Solo Real Estate president Deborah Solo. “This is our local neighborhood and we have strong community ties here. Green energy and sustainability have been very important to Solo Real Estate for some time.  We are recyclers, composters, and advocators of green roofs. PHS aligns with what we feel is really important.”

Now about those butterflies. PHS Pop Up Gardens don’t just offer frozen mojitos and spicy nachos in a lively social setting. They also provide pollinator plants, including Fothergilla, Erysimum, Anemone, and Primula Veris for the purpose of attracting butterflies and bees back into the urban environment. 

The goal is to provide sufficient food (nectar and pollen) to reverse the decline of bees and monarch butterflies in our City. Bees are not only essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants but are also responsible for pollinating agricultural crops. Meanwhile, the population of Monarch butterflies has declined 90% over twenty years. 

Pollinator decline is attributed primarily to loss of habitat – farmland and open fields converted into housing developments – and to the use of pesticides. Weeds, such as milkweed, that once grew adjacent to crops and provided food for bees and butterflies are now eradicated by insecticides.

While butterflies are attracted to the PHS Garden, adults and children are drawn to delicious food and drink provided by Cantina Los Caballitos and Khyber Pass Pub. The food menu has something for everyone – vegetarian and carnivore. Kids can enjoy hot dogs, chicken tenders, and fries, while adults choose from a wide variety of light fares, including Garden Burgers, Nashville Hot ChickenWrap, and Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. Speak of cocktails, the bar menu offers a tantalizing selection of botanical cocktails, wines, sangria, and craft beer. Try a Pink Peppercorn Paloma – tequila, pink grapefruit, pink peppercorn, and lime. Or a Frozen Frosé – Aperol, Rosé, and lemon. Plus, non-alcoholic options.

Cocktail available at the PHS pop up on South Street sponsored by Solo Real Estate.
Image courtesy of PHS.

One of the highlights of the PHS South Street PopUp Garden is the plant and seed giveaways sponsored by Solo Real Estate. “We distribute plants and bulbs on a weekly basis, along with detailed instructions,” said Sharon Tice DelCotto, PHS Business Development Consultant. “Each month features a different plant. In April, PHS will give away Gladiolus Bulbs. In May, June and July, it will be Geraniums, Coleus, Gerber Daisies, etc.” 

“PHS Pop Up Gardens started in 2010 with the goal of transforming highly visible vacant lots into gardens that serve as a valuable community resource. Since then, we have had Pop Up locations all over the City,” said Tice DelCotto. “This year, we just have two locations, South Street and Manayunk. New for 2021, visitors will have the opportunity to book private spaces in the garden for groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other events.”

Image courtesy of Rachel Wisniewski for PHS.

The atmosphere is like a backyard party with all the safety precautions to provide proper social distancing, mask-wearing, and contactless service. The number of visitors is limited and facemasks must be worn by adults and children until they are seated. To ensure safety, you can order and pay for your food and drinks on your mobile phone. 

PHS was founded in 1827. In 2019, the non-profit organization became fully committed to using horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. This includes creating healthy living environments, increasing access to fresh food, expanding economic opportunity, and building meaningful social connections. The Pop Up Gardens benefit the many programs of PHS, including City Harvest, which brings together a network of community gardeners who raise fresh, healthy food for more than 1,200 families in need each week. For Solo Real Estate, the connection with PHS reflects our commitment to sustainability, the environment, and the community.

The PHS South Street Pop Up is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. Open Monday-Thursday, 5-10 pm; Friday-Sunday, Noon-10pm.