Gardening in full sun (Full Version)

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Grace-N-Mercy -> Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 12:29:37 PM)

Hey, everyone. If you have nothing but sun and almost no shade, is it possible to keep a garden? I'm sure if I watered every day I wouldn't have problems, but that's not always possible for me. Here in Florida, the heat can become scorching and I've lost plants in the past. It'll have to be container plants because I live in an apartment. Could I create some kind of shade?



Kat_D -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 12:38:35 PM)

HERE is a site that shows some of the plants that do well in Florida. I'm sure a lot of them could be suitable for container gardening. Have fun!!!



HisCovenant -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 5:01:59 PM)

I have full sun, too, so I look forward to hearing the answers to your question!

The way I get shade is to push someplants against my home. They get shade in the morning and full sun in the afternoon. It's enough to keep some plants from scorching. If you have a balcony, you could install weather-safe blinds for shade. You could also train a sun-lover to a trellis and create more shade.

There are several things that have helped me: get a container larger than the plant calls for so the roots can stay cooler and have more access to water and keep records of what plants for you. Just because they say full-sun doesn't mean they work well in your full sun. I've grown to love geraniums and roses because they do so well in my containers. Rosemary and thyme grow like weeds, too. Other sun-loving plants I've killed in short order: lantana, hibiscus, etc...



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 7:43:14 PM)

Thanks, Kat! I checked out the site and LOVE the mini-lemon tree! It's a little pricy for right now, though.

HisCovenant, last year, I killed a pepper plant, rosemary plant, and a Spider plant in a very short time. I like the idea of having a larger pot, and I saw an advertisement for a new potting soil that holds moisture better. I had forgotten that I wanted to start a trellis with coral honeysuckle (to attract humming birds and provide shade). The only problem is, it'll take a year or two for it to flesh out and I don't know if I'll be here that long. But I might still do that. The trellis itself will provide some relief from the sun.

I'm hoping to start some peppers, cherry tomatoes, and maybe a few other veggies, plus some herbs such as rosemary and basil.



OLEEguacamole -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 7:47:47 PM)

most flowers and vegies do best in full sun. containers are tricky in that they require more water. sometimes twice per day. local advice is VERY helpful, often found at the place you purchase your plants.



HisCovenant -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/16/2008 10:34:11 PM)

It seems like I also heard about double potting so the outer pot took the heat and the inner pot stayed cooler.



rayofson -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/17/2008 11:52:04 AM)

quote:

I saw an advertisement for a new potting soil that holds moisture better.


Or just add vermiculite.



NoDumbBlonde -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/17/2008 5:24:40 PM)

I've also heard of cutting up sponges and putting them in the soil as you plant in containers. The sponge holds excess moisture and feeds the roots. Of course be careful that the sponges you have are not soaped so get them wet to make sure there are no suds. I've heard that this helps when you can't water as often as you need to.

Terra Cotta/clay pots have a tendency to dry out quicker than plastic so consider that. I've had things in terra cotta but have lost them even when watering frequently. I've even tried painting and sealing the pots but they don't do as well as plastic on retaining moisture since the clay is very porous.



cindybode -> RE: Gardening in full sun (4/17/2008 7:40:04 PM)

Make an automatic waterer for your containers and they will probably do better.

You need:

A piece of 1/2" pvc that's 1" shorter than the depth of your soil
A container that will hold water - this will sit on top of your plant container and can be whatever size you think is appropriate. You can decorate this so it looks pretty if you wish.

Drill some small holes along the length of the pvc. Make a hole in the bottom of the water container and push the pvc into it so that it sticks up about an inch or so. Push the pvc into the soil of your plant container so that the water container rests on the soil. Fill the water container. The water will seep into the soil from the pvc and keep your plants watered.

Even though most flowers and veggies like full sun, there can be too much of a good thing. You can do something as simple as draping a white sheet over them to give them a little relief.



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