Gardeners dig buried pots

Sun., May 4, 2008

Mary Beth Breckenridge Akron Beacon Journal

The Plant Exchange in-ground planter system is designed to save water and effort.

The device is essentially a 10-inch flowerpot that’s buried in the ground inside a permanently installed sleeve. A vented tray in the container lets the plant sit above a reservoir that holds up to a quart of water.

The reservoir allows the water to go directly to the plant, so less water is needed than in conventional planting. When your flowers fade and you want to exchange them for a different seasonal show, you pull the pot out of its sleeve, replant it and drop it back into place.

The system lets you turn plants for even sun exposure, remove plants when frost threatens and keep invasive plants from spreading.

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Just A Tip

Warmer air and soil make this a great time to set out most kinds of herbs in beds or containers. While culinary herbs are typically grown by themselves or in vegetable gardens, they also work well in flower beds, provided they don’t get sprayed with pesticides.

•Parsley, thyme, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm and chives are easy-to-grow herbs that also look attractive in the garden. Basil, which comes in many types, is one herb that should wait until it gets a little warmer, in early to mid-May.

•Herbs require sun and space to develop. They are not water-grabbers, and once established will tolerate dry weather. Thyme makes a great edging plant for beds and produces attractive flowers. Parsley is valued not only for its use as a garnish but as a food source for the caterpillar stage of swallowtail butterflies.

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Books: Tough Plants for Every Climate

Succulents are garden workhorses. Rock gardening expert Gwen Moore Kelaidis thinks they deserve credit for that, so she’s evangelizing on their behalf in her new book, “Hardy Succulents.”

The book might be a revelation to people who associate succulents with the desert. They’re so much more, Kelaidis argues, offering plump foliage, curious forms and fall color to the landscape.

“Hardy Succulents” is from Storey Publishing and is $19.95 in paperback or $29.95 in hardcover.

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