Almost everywhere you look these days in Western Pennsylvania, you find them staring back at you—on patios, decks and porches. You’ll see them on high-rise balconies and at toll stations on the turnpike. They dot private homes and enliven gray office buildings downtown. Banks, hospitals and science centers adorn their facades with these colorful medleys. On the North Side’s Mexican War Streets, both old and newly renovated buildings benefit from their beauty. Even in the poorest communities, you find them alive and growing.
In the last 10 years, window boxes have taken neighborhoods by storm. The boxes allow plants to either cascade down or grow vertically on a trellis. If plants are chosen correctly, they can provide color all year long. To ensure the best growing conditions, here are some tips to get you started.
First, consider the size of the box. Small window boxes dry out quickly, and the roots can overheat in hot weather, preventing them from absorbing water and nutrients. Remember that the growing room for roots is restricted, and the plants compete for nutrients, space and water. If a box is too big, it can be very heavy when filled with potting soil, plants and water. Never use garden soil, because it is too heavy, full of weed seeds and contains disease pathogens. Instead, try a good, commercial potting mix. Select a box that is at least 10- to 12-inches deep. The length should be no smaller than two-thirds the width of the window. Most home-improvement stores will carry all the tools and hardware for mounting the flower boxes.
Wooden window boxes are popular and provide a formal look. Wood is an excellent insulator against the heat and cold, and can be painted or stained. Cypress or redwood are good choices. Resistant to decay, these woods can be sealed to keep their original color. Exterior plywood is another good choice because of its strength and resistance to warping. New on the market are plastic and fiberglass. They’re lightweight, don’t rust or crack, hold up in any weather and come in a variety of colors. Consider wire-frame window boxes, which you can line with a coco mat or sheet moss. They’re durable and have a casual look. Whatever you select, make sure it has drainage holes. This will help remove excess water from plant roots. Kubrick Brothers Garden Center (329 Coxcomb Hill Road, New Kensington; 724/339-8330) has one of the largest selections of window boxes in the area.
Now you are ready to plant. When a flower box is densely planted, each plant will find its own space by tumbling down, stretching sideways or reaching upward. Water as needed, applying a liquid fertilizer each time. You can water from either the inside of the house or hook up an extension wand to the outside garden hose. One option is to use ice cubes, but make sure the ice doesn’t touch the plants. The advantage here is that the ice melts slowly with no runoff or mess below. If you have only a few window boxes, consider purchasing flats of plants. If you have many boxes, you might want to start your own plants from seeds. Huge selections of seasonal plants, a variety of fertilizers and various watering devices are found at Trax Farms (528 Trax Road, Union Township, Washington County; 412/835-3246), Sestili Nursery (3721 Swinburne St., Oakland; 412/681-1200) and Soergels Orchards (2573 Brandt School Road, Franklin Park; 724/935-1743). Lowes (14 area locations) and Home Depot (15 area locations) carry other supplies like trellises and extension wands for garden hoses.
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