After you buy or make a patio container garden, the goal is to keep it looking nice all season. The container, its location, the soil used, watering, fertilization and the selection of plants are all factors to consider.

Much of this is easy. A plastic container will use a bit more water than the same pot made from a ceramic material or cement. Location on the east side of your house is the least demanding. In hotter and breezier sites the water needs of your container will increase.

Many people favor a rather heavy soil mix and often throw in extra wetting gel to reduce watering needs. Personally, I use, and like, a much lighter medium. Most of the container failures I hear about are from being too wet. My guess is that it is a lot easier to water a container than it is to un-water it.

Most potting soil you buy will include a wetting agent. As the container ages and the roots fill the given soil volume, it often seems that the soil has lost its ability to hold moisture.

After mid June I would suggest a two to four week schedule of adding a few drops of liquid dishwasher soap to your water. It makes water wetter in the dishwasher; it will have the same effect in your container. Of course you can save your change and buy a commercial wetting agent that does the same job.

Keep the pot moist, but not soggy. Containers, as I make them, will need supplemental water most days, but seldom get in trouble from excessive rain. If you use a heavier soil you can go to at least an every other day schedule.

Fertilizer is the tricky part. Some potting mixes contain fertilizer but most don't. Plants in containers will need more fertilizer than plants in the garden. My suggestion is to follow the directions on the fertilizer package, but stay conservative.

If you fertilize heavily and/or have acidic water, you can drive down the soil pH to the point where certain needed nutrients become unavailable. Adding lime is a possible but slow cure, but behaving with the fertilizer applications is better.

When it comes to fertilizer, not all plants are created equal. Most petunias, excluding the waves, and their miniature look alike million bells have trace nutrient requirements. The Amish are firm believers in Epson salts and I concur that it will keep older leaves greener. A light shot every two weeks is enough.

On the above petunias, iron deficiency can yellow the new leaves. An occasional shot of Mir acid will greatly reduce this problem. Calibrachoa (million bells) are a beautiful plant and can be grown very successfully by following the above suggestions.

Plant selection improves with experience. If you need help, the easiest approach is to look at pots already made up at the neighbors or your favorite greenhouse.

With a little thought and effort you can keep your patio container(s) happy.