Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!
Growing trees in planters can be tricky business. Trees often want to grow beyond their pots – either because of their roots or their height.
When I found these urn-shaped planters at Canadian Tire, I knew that they would look perfect with a dwarf shrub or tree as the featured plant. But what variety would suit them?
I settled on a pair of Dwarf Alberta spruces. They mature to a height of 6-8′, but can be kept trimmed down to a more reasonable height according to their planter size. They’re also fairly inexpensive – I paid $16 for each tree at a local nursery.
I’m very lucky to be working with Scott’s Miracle-Gro this year. For this project, I grabbed a couple of bags of Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care Potting Mix. I love that this potting mix is enhanced with organic materials such as worm castings, alfalfa meal and bone meal. Unlike garden soil (or dirt that has been scooped from the ground), potting mix is fortified with nutrients. Because this environment is a contained one, these nutrients will eventually be used up, and over the coming years, will have to be replaced with organic fertilizer.
Potting mix is also different from garden soil in that it is formulated to hold the correct amount of water while still allowing the soil to drain. Nature’s Care potting mix contains sphagnum peat moss as well as perlite in order to find the right balance.
Speaking of drainage, I made sure to remove the plug from the bottom of the urn. So often, planters come without drainage holes! I don’t understand why they’re made this way. If your planter is without drainage holes, break out the cordless drill. Plants don’t love to sit in their own filthy bathwater.
I planted the spruce in the centre of the pot and then surrounded it with Proven Winners’ Snowstorm trailing sutera. I’ve used these little white fillers in a couple of planters this year and have been impressed with how full they get.
I count myself lucky that I have a kidlet that loves to water plants. Saves me a lot of work!
Here is what the planter looked like when I first planted it, over a month ago (in April).
And here it is now! You can see that the sutera has spread beautifully, and is now trailing down the urn.
The pair of these planters flank either side of the entrance to our home.
They’re not the traditionally colourful planter of annuals, but I love the classic look they offer. The dwarf spruce will live on for years, and I will continue to change up the trailing annuals each Spring.
It’s a Nature’s Care Giveaway!
Scott’s Miracle-Gro is offering an exciting giveaway for one lucky Suburble reader! Enter to win a Nature’s Care Organic Prize Pack including one bag of Nature’s Care Organic & Natural Vegetable, Fruit & Flower Food, one bag of Nature’s Care Organic Blood Meal, one bag of Nature’s Care Organic Bone Meal and a $100 gift card to Canadian Tire!
Add some colour and plant love to your garden – organically!
I’ve fallen in love with these products this year, and have been very happy with how my flowers and veggies have done with these products.
Giveaway runs from Sunday, June 11th to 11:59pm on Sunday, June 18th. Prize fulfillment is the responsibility of Scotts Miracle-Gro Canada. Winner must respond to notification email within 48 hours. Giveaway is open to residents of Canada; void where prohibited.
107 comments
Linda Beaton
Each year I plant a vegetable garden and allow it to grow…organically!
Joni
This year in my garden i have one kale plant and two tomatoes. Elsewhere there are most vegetables growing, some will get stored and eaten all through winter
Amy Menzies
We grow vegetables, so I would love to grow all out vegetables organically this year. I love being able to feed my family healthy food grown in our own backyard.
Melissa D
I just bought some of this soil yesterday. I found some amazing anemone (harmony blue) plants. I also had to drill holes in the bottom of some pots my mother in law gave me. I can’t wait to plant them.
Alexandria
That planter would look great on my front porch!
Dulcie
We have tomatoes and spaghetti squash doing nicely at the moment. The cucamelon is pretty slow though.
Amy Heffernan
I would love to grow some veggies. Clean eating is a top priority with us.
Jenness M
I’ve been planting tomatoes, carrots and beets organically for years but I’d love to start growing corn and potatoes!
Wendy N
We love to grow our own salsa garden! Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs all grown organically!
ivy pluchinsky
I would love to grow some veggies like broccoli this year
Carrie Durkin
I’d love to grow some veggies
Monique L.S.
I would like to grow tomatoes and cucumbers.
Gord
I would love to grow thousands and thousands of flowers with all the different colours available.
Florence Cochrane
I would love to grow some more veggies this year.
Stephanie
I would love to grow tomatoes and lettuce organically!
Jackie
I would use it to get a good start for a small apple tree and some hostas for my garden planter.
loriag
I would love to grow tomatoes and cucumbers organically this summer.
Gail Butler
Would love to try growing tomatoes organically.
Nicole Bonomo
Would love to grow potatoes organically!
Jenny Major
Id love to plant a veggie garden
Stephanie LaPlante
This year, I want to organically grow tomatoes.
Vanessa
Perfect for spring
Kam
Would love to grow veggies like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers + herbs like basil organically!
Catherine Robichaud
I’ve been wanting to grow my own herbs and spices like basil, parsley, cilantro and chives.
Christy E
I would like to grow some veggies – tomatoes, beans, cucs, carrots and beets.
Michelle W
We grow potatoes, strawberries, turnip, carrots, onions and cabbage.
Lee Ann Kuhn
flowers flowers and more flowers
Julie F
We are growing beans, tomatoes cucumbers and potatoes organically this year!
jan
I have herbs – thyme, basil, rosemary and chives.
Elena
I have an organic veg green and loved it
Judy Cowan
Would love to grow some a few different varieties of cherry tomatoes and maybe try some strawberries in a hanging basket.
kristen visser
I would love to grow tomatoes!! I use them in many meals especially spaghetti and tomato soup
Merry
I’m getting my cottage summer ready with plants on the front porch…so I would like to grow those. My black thumb may thwart my plans though.
Julie Bolduc
I am growing tomatos and green peppers
Josh S
I hope to grow a variety of organic veggies this year.
Wanda Tracey
I always plant avariety of tomatoes,and some cucumbers,cellery and beans. wish I had a bigger garden and am
planning to make it bigger so that I can grow even more.I also have many perrenialflowers.
Jonnie
I would love to grow some organic cucumbers and tomatoes
Sarah De Diego
The Kids love planting and caring for our garden. Peas, beans, lettuce and beets are family favourites. Besos Sarah.
Melinda
I would love to grow a herb garden this year.
Robyn Bellefleur
I would love to grow some organic cucumbers to make pickles with.
HEIDI CARLSON
We have a huge organically grown garden with tomatoes, corn, peas, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, radishes and herbs.
Maryanne
I would live to grow my lettuce organically!
Courtney
I’d love to grow tomatoes, jalapenos and carrots
kathy downey
I would love to grow some more veggies this year,i really want to grow butternut squash!
CArolle H
I would love to grow some veggies 😉
Kim K
I love to grow herbs, veggies and fruits organically each year! Thanks for the fab giveaway!
Johanne Laurin-Castonguay
We grow vegetables, so I would love to grow all out vegetables organically this year!
Sarah Schultz
I don’t grow anything organically, but I’ve planted lots of shrubs this year and want to continue doing so. Got most of ours from Canadian Tire 🙂
valerie caldicott
I always buy Scott’s products as can rely on them for quality
Jeannine Miranda
I would like to organically grow basil and tomatoes.
Theresa A.
We haven’t grown vegetables yet, but it’s something we’d like to turn our hands to. This prize would give us a good start.
Christine D
I’ve been wanting to spruce up my garden in the front so I would be focusing on that with flowers and plants and some new bushes alongside the side of my place too!
Elaine R
We finally have the space and are enjoying the benefits of a large vegetable garden.
Shirley S
I would love to grow tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce organically.
Catherine Brown
I would like to grow some green beans.
Nicole
Simple and beautiful! Looking to do something like this for our front entrance or on either side of th garage!
Dan McCormick
I would like to grow tomatoes
Gordon Harmatiuk
Maybe some vegetables., like tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers, etc.
Laila I
I am growing basil and tomatoes!
Linda H
I’d like to try growing some tomatoes this year.
Sandi Mcg
I would like to try growing all of my flowers and veges organically this year!
Mike Flaman
Trying a good shot at growing Tomatoes – here’s hoping!
LILLIAN BROWN
I would love to grow some organic lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes
Jenny B
I would love to try growing organic tomatoes, potatoes and carrots!
wendy C
I like to grow all my vegetables and herbs organically, especially tomatoes, greens and peppers
Andrea
I like to grow lettuce, tomatoes and peas!
Suzanne G
I would like to grow organic lettuce and tomatoes.
Piroska
I’d like to grow organic tomatoes, lettuces, swiss chard. Pretty much all the veggies!
Doreen Lamoureux
Always nice to something nice to keep the planet healthier for the ones after us.
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
we would love to plant some herbs
Tara Betterley
I would like to grow tomatoes and lettuce.
loucheryl
I want to grow organic tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beets, radishes and cauliflower!
Ronald Gagnon
I would really like to grow organic strawberries
Brenda Penton
I’d love to grow spaghetti squash and zucchini
Linda
I’d like to grow more organic vegetables this summer, especially all the leafy greens.
jerry chrapko
cool
Heidi P
Love to try tomatoes & cucumbers this year
KittyPride
I would grow organic vegetables like tomatoes and carrots.
Laurie P
I’d love to grow some organic tomatoes, zucchini, and carrots!
Linda Beaton
Tara – entering daily using Twitter but my entry count is not updating…..
Alison Braidwood
I’d love to grow lots of rhubarb.
Rebecca Roberts
I’m already growing organic tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, kale and beans! I love gardening!
Soozle
I would like to grow organic tomatoes
nicolthepickle
We’re growing tomatoes and peppers organically this year. I’d like to grow some basil, but the rabbits got it all so far. There’s still time though.
tracy k
i’d like to grow tomatoes
stephen gordon
I’d love to grow lots of tomatoes
Linda Beaton
Tweeting daily but my entry count is not increasing…is there an issue?
Jo Skidmore
I tried vegetables last year and that was a bit of a bust. Flowers are on the list for this year – hummingbird favorites in particular.
Sue D
I try to grow all my plants–vegetables, flowers and herbs organically.
Pamela
Love the planting tips. I have tall planters on my front porch. I always put flowers in them for summer. Thinking now of using one of these trees and add flowers in summer. Thanks for sharing.
Melinda Jana
kale and swiss chard
Carole D
I’m growing green bean, zucchini, green leaf lettuce, broccoli, zucchini and tomatoes right now. They are coming along beautifully!
Christy E
I would like to grow Tomatoes organically this year
Juliee Fitze
Love my fresh tomatoes, straight from the garden.
Amber Y
We’re taking a stab at growing tomatoes, strawberries and eggplants this year.
Jenn
I would love to grow organic herbs and tomato this season.
Jeannie Lam
I would love to grow some tomatoes and cucumbers in the garden this year.
Pam
I would like to grow tomatoes and some zucchini
wendy hutton
I am growing tomatoes, lettuce and onions organically this year
Krista M
I would love to grow organic veggies for summer salads like lettuce, cucumber & tomatoes! So fresh & delicious!
Lushka Smith
I would love to organically grown some tomatoes.
linda
Would like to grow lots of herbs like rosemary & lavender.
Doreen Lamoureux
I was thinking Chard and Kale …….. YUP
Valerie Mallette
I would like to grow carrots, cucumbers, squash, beans and tomatoes organically this season.
Tara GAuthier
OUr garden has carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers. lettuce, rhubarb, strawberries, chives. Had a poor year last year so fingers crossed that things look up this year as had quite bit cold weather at the start. TAra GAuthier
Dining Table By Size
Great post. I would also love to grow vegetables in my garden organically.
Mike Anderson
Hello Tara, I love gardening and container gardening is a very good idea. I just loved the way you have decorated your patio by flower gardens. You have describe nice tips. Thanks and keep sharing with us.