Make Mother's Day Gift One of Enabled Gardening

Mother's Day is only a few days away. For those last minute shoppers and I admit I'm one, here are some ideas to make gardening easier (in gardening talk enabled gardening, accessible gardening or adaptive gardening). So take a look at some ideas to make your Mom smile. She can still enjoy the results of her gardening, but minimize the work of gardening. Container gardening has your "garden" where you want to put it to make it easily accessible. Whether you hang the container, place it on a table or mount it on a wall, container gardening makes gardening accessible since you determine the location of your garden.

photo of self-watering hanging basket Self-Watering Hanging Basket Self watering containers are a great way to minimize your watering. These containers, either basket or planter, have a resevoir to hold water. The water is sent to the soil as the soil dries out. The resevoir can last a few days to several weeks depending on sun, humidity and outside temperature. Hot sunny locations will need water refills more often than shady locations.

To avoid reaching either use a pulley system with the hanging basket or hang planters at an easy reach level ( either waist high for standing-allows for growing plants) or within reach level for sitting. (within 30" or less depending on height and arm length)

If you are going to fill the pot here are some suggestions:

Don't forget herbs such as basil, thyme, strawberries, dwarf tomatoes, carrots, and beans. All can grow in these water resevoir containers.

Now for some of the traditional color and flowering plant suggestions.

Sunny location:

Petunias are particularly appealing. Look for ones grown for sunny somewhat dry locations.

Daisies especially African daisies can be a bright cheery addition to any basket or planter.

Geraniums especially ones cascading ones will add color to a planter or hanging basket.

Dianthus are resilent and very fragrant blooming throughout the late spring and summer.

Dwarf varieties of sweet pea cascade over the sides of the planter throughout the late spring and summer.

Portulaca is a personal favorite. I have a mixed basket of pinks which has reseeded itself over the past two years. (And don't tell my wife, but for Mother's Day she's getting one of the hanging baskets for the portulaca)

For those Moms with shade:

Coleus the leafy plant that comes in vibrant shades of maroon, burgandy and greens.

Begonias are little gems of color. I was at the nursery yesterday and saw billant organge and yellows. Unfortunately my garden is too sunny to have begonias last more than a few days. They end up sunburned just like my redheaded wife. Both need shade outside.

Ferns can create a lush tropical and cool feel to hot days. Try a variety of ferns to creat a create a cool oasis in your garden or patio.

Self-watering containers and container gardening are a way to decrease watering duties for every gardener. They keep plants looking good and easy to care for.

All in a gardener's day,