Spray painting the outside of planters, especially dark colored ones in hot regions, prevents root burn. Don’t worry about sprawling vines, etc. That’s their normal growth pattern, they’ll do fine.

I put my ‘raised garden’ on an old door on top of old saw horses that I paint every couple of years, but also top with a clear shower curtain before putting the pots on top to fill and seed.

One note about keeping water “clean” for fresh flowers, vines, etc. (Spanish Broom now fragrantly fills my home for days) by adding a few pennies to the water. This also keeps my water features, and pond, clear and clean, too…including a 3-tier fountain (this year, it becomes a new herb garden to avoid water evaporation).

Carol in Texas (aka organic gardener)
Post Polio Support Network
Project Blue Whale (increasing awareness of breathing conditions for early diagnosis, et al )…

I liked your column on container gardening. I have passed it on to a new gardener. Maybe you have already done a piece on container ponds and veggie growing. I am new to this site. Need to know details on ponds designing in containers, what fish to use and how to keep fish alive during the development of the pond. Tomatoes last year were GREAT but trying something new that I learned from an ol’ salt at growing…put a little honey around the stem and cover with dirt to avoid ants feeding. Indoor potato vine is a nice treat for those who do not venture outside or have a city apartment…what is the best way to do this for the novice who wants some kind of plants. I have seen them and they are really lovely plants. How often do you change the water, if at all, what are the best potatoes to use? How long does it take to grow? What is the best way to grow garlic, onions in containers…maybe even chives for those baked potatoes!!! Thanks for your tips in container gardening…I love my container garden…you are right, easy to do! Maggie