“You have more success with your container gardening than I do,” my friend C. said. Sometimes. At times I have more success than other times but I just keep going—my only option would be to not garden at all. Unthinkable.
One thing that helps me succeed is my almost exclusive use of terra cotta pots outdoors because they have good drainage and can “breathe,” though they must be watered often in the heat of summer. Of course they eventually break down after years in the elements. The other night I picked up this pot of peppermint to put it under the table to protect it from the cold; the problem is, I picked it up by the rim. Oops, the rim stayed in my hand but the pot didn’t; I had some soil to sweep up. Perhaps I can glue it back but if I do the pot will have to be empty and clean—so I’ll wait ‘til next season. I’ve had it for many years so I’m not worried; I definitely got my money’s worth.
Plastic pots break down too—and fade in the sun. While broken pieces of terra cotta pots can be used for garden decoration or drainage in the bottom of another pot, broken down plastic pots can only be thrown out (not a good idea for the landfill!) or in some areas, recycled. However, plastic pots (or glazed pottery ones) can be preferable for indoor gardening since the dry air of homes from the furnace or air conditioning can dry out the plants more quickly than you expect.
The new growth on the peppermint plant has fuchsia stems!
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