The Dirt Bar takes care of much of the work for you. We choose plants suited to the location of your pots.

Have a shady deck? We choose shade lovers. Have a front porch with hot south facing sun? We'll choose heat-tolerant plants that can take it. However, you'll need to do some basic care to keep your pots healthy and happy all season.

Your containers will be planted with top-quality soil, a slow-release fertilizer and filled with locally grown plants. All you really need to do is water.

Water. Water. Water.
We can not emphasize enough how important it is to water your containers. On a hot spring, summer or fall day your pot can dry out within 24 hours. Even if you are good about watering all summer and miss a couple days while on vacation you will risk the health of those plants.

How do I know if my pot is dry and needs water?
Use the finger test. Stick your finger in the soil up to your second knuckle. If it is dry then you need to water. If your pot is small enough you can literally lift it up and or shake it a bit and if it feels light and dry - water it.

There are many moisture readers available on the market and they are useful. If you find one you like - use it. However, we find the good old finger test works great!

The first 2 weeks are vital.
For the first 2 weeks after we install your containers, you will need to be extra careful about watering. Those young plants need to establish roots. In the first two weeks check for dryness every day. If dry at all – water!

If it rains do I need to water?
Do not assume that if it rains you don’t need to water. Often times the foliage of a plant will cause the water to run off the plants and out of the pot. Even when it rains you should plan to check for dryness.

Plants in your containers will need more water than your plants in the ground. Especially small containers. They don’t hold much soil and the roots will fill the pot and quickly drink up any moisture you give them.

How often should I water?
Depending on temperature and humidity levels, your containers will need more or less water. Window boxes and pots that are 12” and smaller will need to be watered more frequently.

Before watering check for dryness by sticking your finger into the pot up to your second knuckle. If you don’t feel any moisture, water.

• If temps are 75 degrees or lower (spring, early summer, fall) you should plan to water every 2-3 days.
• If temps are 75 degrees or higher (summer, fall) you should plan to water every 1-2 days.
• If temps are over 100 and it is humid you will probably need to water every day.

Watering Winter Containers
We use only cut branches and stems in winter containers. Therefore, you do not need to water them on a regular basis. However, you will want to water once or twice when they are first installed - especially if they are under a porch or awning.

By watering at least once, you are adding moisture to the planter and when the temperatures freeze it will "set" the branches in place. Many people turn off the water to their outside spouts in the winter and so access to water is difficult. You don't need much. Just fill a pitcher from your house and pour over the pot. You are simply adding moisture to the soil so that it can solidly freeze.

Maintaining Winter Containers
You really don't need to to do anything to your winter containers. However, after the holidays you can always:

• Go in and pull out the more decorative elements (ornaments, bows, glitter sticks, etc.)
• Leave the more natural elements for as long as they stay green.
• Once the greenery starts turning brown just pull it all out and leave the pot empty.
• We start planting early Spring containers in mid to late March.