1 Think Annuals
Choose plants, mostly annuals, that will take off at once and grow quickly in their race to set seed before frost. Meanwhile, they’ll fill your deck, patio or window box with flowers and foliage.

2 Pick Your Pots
Anything that holds soil can be a plant container, from half whiskey barrels to tin cans, although terra-cotta pots lose moisture faster than plastic or composition planters. The general rule is to use the largest container possible, because the more soil there is, the more root space there will be—and the longer your plants can go between waterings.

3 Choose the Right Soil
It’s the weeks, it will be rock-hard, and your plants will suffer. A good mix for containers consists of potting soil, vermiculite, peat moss and compost. Look for Promix and Metro Mix in garden stores.

4 Keep Things Flowing
Drainage is key to the survival of plants in containers. Be sure your pots have holes at the bottom to drain excess water. It’s smart to add a water-holding crystal like Terra Sorb or Soil Moist from Burpee (burpee.com), which absorbs and retains water like a sponge.

5 Water, Water, Every Day
Or as often as twice a day in hot, dry weather. Always group plants with similar water needs. If you’re unsure, ask at your garden center or check gardening sites such as the National Gardening Association, garden.org, or gardenweb.com. Another excellent resource is the American Horticultural Society’s A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants (DK Publishing). Consider drip irrigation: It’s convenient and easy to water a group of pots. The ideal solution is a self-watering container, which holds water in reserve and has a water-level gauge.

6 Feed Frequently
Fertilize your container-grown plants frequently—at least every other week. A water-soluble fertilizer is a good alternative and can be used every time you water. The best granular fertilizer to mix with soil is an organic, slow-release, all-purpose one such as All-Purpose Fertilizer from Gardener’s Supply Company (gardeners.com) or one from your garden center.

7 Now, Experiment!
Substitute fresh plants since no plant can go on blooming forever. The sequence of bloom is in your hands and can be prolonged by moving pots indoors for the winter. If you get a late-summer cold snap, it’s easy to protect pots by covering them with a light blanket.

Photo by Rosalind Creasy