Window boxes are an affordable, low-maintenance creative project for small spaces, but ensuring success requires a little know-how. In this guide, we'll explain how to plant window gardens that thrive in any outdoor space.
Window boxes can be surprisingly heavy when filled with soil, plants and water, so it's worth purchasing sturdy boxes that can handle the load. When selecting wooden boxes, look for hardwood models. While they're more expensive than cheaper window boxes made from pine and other softwoods, they'll last significantly longer, making them a worthwhile investment over time.
Furthermore, choosing sturdy brackets to attach boxes to your windowsills securely is essential. Check how much weight your chosen brackets can hold and read customer reviews to ensure they're up to the task of holding your boxes firmly and safely.
Without proper drainage, your plant roots will become waterlogged, preventing healthy growth. While many window boxes come with predrilled holes, you may need to drill your own in some models. Line the boxes with landscaping fabric to prevent soil from escaping through the drainage holes.
For plants requiring good drainage, add a couple of inches of newspaper, nonbiodegradable packing peanuts or even smashed pottery to the bottom of your boxes. Adding this extra drainage layer prevents water from accumulating, keeps soil in place and stops your drainage holes from becoming clogged.
You may have a mental picture of your perfect window garden, but your plants won't flourish if you pick the wrong species for the light and wind conditions. Therefore, it's worth watching the windowsill on a sunny day to determine how much light it gets and whether the spot is sheltered or exposed.
Once you've got a clear idea of the conditions, you can select plants that grow well on your windowsill. While you'll have more planting options in a sunny spot, there are plenty of delightful shade-loving species for tricky windowsills that don't get much sun. Begonias, primroses and violas do well in shade, particularly during hot summer months.
When planning which plants to place in the same containers, consider their water and nutrient needs and group plants with similar requirements together. Otherwise, you'll find it impossible to meet the needs of every plant in your window boxes.
For example, daylilies love rich soil and benefit from regular feeding with a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Meanwhile, nasturtiums flower best in relatively poor soil. Pairing these plants doesn't work because nasturtiums will produce vast amounts of lush green foliage and relatively few flowers in nutrient-dense soil. Conversely, daylilies will sulk in a nasturtium's ideal growing environment.
In small spaces, it can be tempting to cram as many plant species as possible into window boxes. However, this approach can make the boxes look muddled and spoil their cohesion.
Instead, consider choosing three or four species in complementary colors and planting multiples of each plant in each box for a coordinated look. If you're craving variety, try pairing plants with different textures and growing habits. For example, you could choose one species with show-stopping flowers as a focal point, another with a trailing habit to cascade from the boxes and a compact flowering plant to fill gaps.
If possible, you should attach your window boxes to your windowsills before filling them to avoid injuries from lifting heavy planters. If you can't, consider asking a team member at Bethesda Gardens Arlington to help you safely install your window boxes in your assisted living apartment.
Next, half-fill your boxes with high-quality compost and place your plants inside. Consult plant labels to determine how much space each plant requires to fill out. While you can often place plants a little closer together than it says on the labels, you may need to prune them more frequently to reduce overcrowding.
Finally, fill the gaps between the plants with soil and press it down gently. To finish, water your window boxes thoroughly. You'll need to water your window boxes more often than plants in the ground because the soil will lose water more rapidly.
You can maximize your growing space by utilizing the windowsills inside your assisted living apartment. Herbs are ideal for indoor growing because most thrive near a cool window, provided they receive at least 4 hours of sunlight daily. Even better, you'll have a steady supply of fresh herbs to use in cooking, salads and summery beverages.
Some indoor windowsills won't get enough sunlight to maintain an indoor herb garden, so use whichever spot gets the most sun throughout the day. In winter, artificial grow lights can supplement natural sunlight and keep your plants healthy year-round.
