Container Gardening for Early Spring

ACT I

In the center of the greenhouse, a yellow rotary phone is ringing a cheerful brill– seemingly out of nowhere, rattling with excitement

Spring-a-ling-a-ling…

A Tonkadale staff member runs to the phone, answers, confused by the sudden appearance of a phone in the greenhouse. Having been born in 1994, this particular employee has never seen a phone like this before.

"Hello?"

The voice on the phone is plummy, high-pitched, and fruity – jolly if you will, something akin to Mary Poppins.

"Hello, it’s spring. Are you ready? I’m on my way!"

Greenhouse employees can be seen dancing and singing in the aisles, heel clicks abound!

The arrival of pansies not only signals but forces the arrival of spring. With colors ranging from pale yellows to vibrant purples to punchy oranges, these darlings are nothing short of tough and tolerant. Pansies and violas thrive in temperatures as low as 28 degrees F and don’t mind a light frost or snow on their faces.

We expect 5 deliveries of pansies and violas this spring; grown locally for us with love and attention in a greenhouse just west of here. Thank you, Jane and Fred!

Way before the soil is warm enough or ready to work, we can plant pansies and their friends in containers. Now let’s get planting!

Supplies for a 12”-14” Pot:

• Tonka Terra Organic Potting Soil (1 bag fills 2, 12” pots)
• 1 Pansy Bowl
• 4, 4-packs Violas
• 1-2 4” Variegated Algerian Ivy
• 1, 6” pot of forced tulips or daffodils bulbs
• Faux Sprigs, mix and match forsythia, budding branches, and pussy willow
• Fresh Twigs, curly willow or pussy willows

Check out this video for our step by step how-to!

Pansies prefer full sun and like to be watered well. Pinch off spent blooms to encourage fresh buds and new growth. Deer and rabbits do love pansies, so be prepared with your favorite repellant. We recommend Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent. It’s kinda stinky, so let it dry out well in advance of your first dinner party of the season. Aphids are a common garden pest and are especially attracted to pansies. Very unsightly as they reproduce quickly, but generally don’t cause great damage. Keep a bottle of Insecticidal Soap on hand so you can treat at first sight.

It's here. You’re ready. The rewards of spring are here in the greenhouse for you.