ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603130006
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER STAFF WRITER
There's always space for window boxes - on sills, patios, balconies, decks or front stoops.
And although they're easy to grow, you should be aware of the amount of sunlight your boxes will receive. If they will be in shade part of the day, use plants that tolerate or prefer such conditions. Impatiens, wax begonias, hostas, bulbs or ferns are ideal for shady spots.
Many different color schemes are possible in window boxes and, because window gardens are small, it is easy to experiment with different colors from season to season and year to year.
A row of plants all the same height looks boring and unnatural. Varying height and depth is more attractive. Plant taller plants in the back, shorter ones in the middle and low edging or trailing plants in the front. For a more flowing, natural look, stagger the plants in the rows and vary the plant heights from side to side.
A window box planted entirely with houseplants or tropical species can go outdoors for the summer and come back inside in early fall. It is easiest to leave houseplants in their pots and set them into the window box.
Which box to choose
Window boxes are all the same basic rectangular shape, but vary in styles, materials and colors. They can be simple or fancy, and made of wood, metal, stone, fiberglass or clay.
The container for your window box should be at least 6 inches deep - 12 inches is even better. Because a deeper box holds more soil, it will not dry out as rapidly.
Simple containers and neutral colors blend in with most architectural styles and do not detract from the plants. Boxes can be painted to match the trim on your house.
One of the best materials for window boxes is fiberglass. These boxes hold up well in both hot and cold weather, are relatively inexpensive and are easy to clean.
Plastic boxes are lightweight and retain moisture well. They should be made of a durable, heavyweight plastic; cheap, thin plastic boxes can become brittle and crack and break.
Wood, either stained, varnished or painted, is the classic material for window boxes. Wood is a good insulator and protects plant roots from extreme temperatures. To prolong the life of wood window boxes, coat the inside with a wood preservative that is nontoxic to plants or plant in removable plastic liners.
Metal containers are less desirable because they rust quickly and are good conductors of heat and cold and therefore do little to insulate plant roots from fluctuating temperatures.
Planting time
Be sure every box has drainage holes in the bottom. It is also a good idea to raise the box off a windowsill, so air can circulate underneath.
Planting directly in the window box is the simplest approach, but makes it difficult to remove unhealthy plants and to rotate plants in and out of boxes.
Plastic liners can be planted them and then slipped into the window boxes. Liners can be removed when plants need maintenance.
Planting in pots allows you to change plants quickly or to replace ailing plants. Surround the pots with peat moss or sphagnum moss to help conserve moisture and to hide the tops of the pots. Set the plants on top of the soil before planting to make sure you like the design.
When planting window boxes, be sure to leave enough space between plants to allow them to grow to their full size. If you are transplanting, dig holes large enough to accommodate all the roots. Finally, leave the soil level about an inch below the top of each box to allow room for watering.
When to water
Regular watering is essential for plants in window boxes. In hot, dry weather, window boxes need to be watered once or even twice a day.
The best way to judge when plants need water is to stick your finger into the soil; if the soil feels dry an inch or two below the surface, it is time to water. Do not wait until your plants droop or wilt before watering them.
When you water your plants, do it gently but thoroughly - until excess water drips from the drainage holes. It is important that the soil be moistened all the way through so all the roots receive water.
Keeping plants growing
To keep plants growing well, fertilize regularly after the plants are established - a few weeks, at least.
Liquid, water-soluble fertilizer is probably the best choice for window box plants. It is easy to use and its nutrients become available to plants immediately. The fertilizer is diluted with water and then applied to the soil surface or sprayed onto the plants' leaves.
Good organic fertilizers are fish emulsion and seaweed concentrates.
Fast-growing annuals can be fed with liquid fertilizers every two weeks throughout the growing season. Perennials vary in their fertilizer requirements.
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Robert E. Lyons. A mixture of geraniums, candytuft,by CNBdusty miller, petunias and phlox spill over this "flights of fancy"
window box. color.