Successful container gardens depend on many factors: light, good potting mix, and proper plant choices. But, the essential ingredient is water. Too little is bad, too much is disastrous, and family vacations can be nightmares for pots--or so you might think. Here are a few tips to take the guesswork out of watering and maintenance.

Worry-Free Water
Irrigation systems aren't just for turf and flowerbeds. Do-it-yourself watering kits adapt to containers, turning this maintenance chore into a thing of the past. Look for a complete package that includes a pressure regulator among its parts. This small item screws onto your faucet and steps down water pressure so the tiny sprinkler heads won't pop off. If your kit does not come with this feature, find it separately in a garden center's irrigation department.

Follow the kit's instructions, running the tubing inconspicuously behind containers. Bring the hose over the back edge of the pot, and anchor the head centrally within the planting so water is distributed evenly. You can also run the tube up through the drainage hole so it is not visible around edges. Do this before the pot is planted. The drainage hole must be large enough to accommodate the tube and still allow water to escape freely. Raise the pot to avoid crushing the pliable hose.

Consider leaving a 12-inch hose length extending from the pot's bottom, attaching it to the main water tube with a connector. If you choose to move the container, simply disconnect it from the system, and reattach it in its new location.

You can complete the system with a battery-powered timer. These devices connect to the faucet and offer many programming options. Available at garden centers, they provide freedom from everyday watering duty as well as vacation insurance for containers. Test it several days prior to your trip to ensure its accuracy.

Elevated Awareness
Pot feet are those paw-shaped chunks of clay or concrete protruding from a container's base. They raise the pot off a surface and assist in drainage. Elevating the vessel will give moisture a clear path as it travels through the hole. "Debris also can get under containers and clog drainage holes," says Stephen Pategas, landscape architect with Hortus Oasis in Winter Park, Florida. "When you use pot feet, it keeps the area underneath clean and keeps water draining freely."

			Expert Advice Here are some extra tips from landscape architect Stephen Pategas and landscape designer Kristin Pategas. Their thoughts are particularly valuable for those living in areas where rainfall is scarce during summer.

To learn about plants that can survive--and even thrive--in hot, dry weather, see "Some Like It Hot" on page 116 of the March 2003 Southern Living.