You’ve got your new pot - so what now? If you’re staring at your empty pot with no clue what to do next, you’ve come to the right place!

Planting a pot is a lot like cooking - but easier (at least in my opinion!) There are a few basic ingredients you’ll need:

Dirt
Get yourself a good bag of potting mix. There’s lots of good stuff in there that will help your plants get off to a good start. Some of the cheaper brands that are dirt only don’t offer any extra nutrients and can sometimes even have weed seeds in the mix! Oh, the horror -

Flowers
A pot is great opportunity to really make an impact with color. Buy several different varieties or all the same - it’s up to you! Annuals are a good choice because they are very colorful and fit for the season. You will want to look at the and take note of how much sun or shade they require. Another easy way to tell - if the nursery has them out in the blazing sun, that’s probably what they need, while the ones tucked away in the greenhouse may need more shade. If you want to make this really this part easy, a 10 -12” hanging basket fits just perfectly in our pots, and you can often find them for less than $10 at hardware store nurseries.

Assembly
It’s a good idea to add a layer of gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the pot before putting in the soil. This will help with drainage and add some weight to the pot so it doesn’t blow over in the wind. Next you’ll add your dirt, but not quite to the top. Remember, the flowers already have some dirt around them that will take up room too. Be sure the flowers are packed in the dirt firmly, but don’t over do it - they need some room for oxygen left in the soil for their roots to grow.

Another tip that will help prolong the life of your pot: line it with a grocery sack before adding the gravel and dirt. This will add a protective barrier against moisture from regular watering. Just cut off the handles and don’t forget to poke a hole in the bottom for drainage!

Water
It is important to give your plants a good drink after the shock of being transplanted to their new home. If you have your pot sitting in a saucer, be sure to empty any excess that drains out. Letting your pot sit in standing water will damage the paint, and it’s not healthy for the plants either. It’s important to water your pot regularly. Potted plants aren’t able to retain moisture as well as the soil in your flower beds, so they tend to dry out more quickly. This is especially true if it’s going to spend a lot of time in the hot sun.

Now, pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade and admire your work!