• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
Denton County Master Gardener Association
Denton County Master Gardener AssociationTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Menu
  • Home
  • All About DCMGA
    • Upcoming Events
    • Request a Speaker
    • Horticulture Agent
    • Newsletters
    • Join the DCMGA Email List
    • Ask a Master Gardener
    • Projects
    • Become a Master Gardener
    • Scholarship
    • Awards
    • Nonprofit Financial Information
  • North Texas Gardening
    • Help Desk
    • Hot Topics
    • Handouts and Presentations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Gardening Know-how
    • Flowering Perennials
    • Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
    • Insects, Diseases and Pests
    • Lawn and Turf
    • Trees and Shrubs
    • Water Conservation
    • Weeds
  • Member Info
    • Member Calendar
    • Request a DCMGA Member Calendar Update
    • VMS: Hours reporting and roster
    • Annual DCMGA Membership Renewal
    • Continuing Education Opportunities
    • Member Forms
    • DCMGA Logo Clothing and Replacement Badges
    • Board Of Directors
    • Board of Directors Meetings
      • 2023 Board of Directors
      • 2022 Board of Directors Meetings
      • 2021 Board of Directors Meetings
      • 2020 Board Meetings
      • 2019 Board Meetings
      • 2018 Board Meetings
      • 2017 Board Meetings
      • 2016 Board Meetings
      • 2015 Board Meetings
    • Projects and Committees
    • Project Manager Info
    • Logos and Public Communications Requirements
    • DCMGA Policies and Procedures
    • Awards
    • Newsletters
    • Intern Information
    • Archived DCMGA Calendar
  • Contact
  • Join our email list

Container Gardening Basics

Getting Started: Container Gardening is a fun way to jump-start any season with an instant “pop” of color in your garden. Urns and pots can be quickly transitioned from season to season. Planters, filled with annual or perennial flowers or herbs make a perfect gift. Floral container arrangementSome important basics and tips for getting started are:

1) Pick your container/planter,

2) Ensure proper drainage in your container,

3) Soil preparation and

4) Plant selection and color arrangement.

Picking the Perfect Container:  Work with your existing planters and/ or add new pots. There are countless planter materials and types, so determine your style, color scheme and durability requirements. Porous planters such as clay and wood; allow for great air movement for soil and roots, offer good drainage but may need winter protection as they deteriorate faster. Non-porous ceramic planters offer less air movement and are costlier, but they withstand frost and hold water longer. Unusually clever solutions include antiques, like troughs, wheel barrels and buckets. Check out your storage areas for suitable items previously overlooked.  Have fun creating a conversation piece for your space.

Ensuring Proper Drainage:  Getting a planter with pre-existing holes for drainage is best, or you can drill holes in the planter base. Place either medium-sized rocks or coffee filters over the inside holes to allow for slower drainage and water retention. You can pass drip irrigation up through a hole to provide for effortless watering.

 *THE most timely and important tip in this process is to place your planter in its location before filling it with soil.

Good Soil Preparation:  Fill your container 2/3 to the top with store-bought potting soil mix that contains a time-release fertilizer and/or moisture retainer.  Choose your plant selection according to the location- sun versus shade, and your chosen color and texture preferences.

The Thriller, Filler and Spiller Design:  If you are new to container gardening, a tried and true design concept incorporates 3 plant type components: the thriller, the spiller and the filler. A “Thriller” is a tall plant that when placed in the center or towards the back will anchor your planter. A “Filler” is a dense, prolific and showy medium height plant that will fill the bulk of your planter. Lastly, the “Spiller” is a trailing plant (i.e. Ivy, sweet potato vines) that will gracefully spill over the sides of your planter.

Note: be sure to group plants based on similar needs for water and sunlight.

Water your soil first and then arrange plants so that all the root balls are touching each other.  When the arrangement is to your liking; fill in the rest of the planter with soil, water again and enjoy!

Learn more about container gardening at these links:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Container Gardening — vegetables that grown in containers

Oklahoma State University Extension. Container Gardening

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member
  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information