Whatever your method, prevent weeds from going to seed and contaminating your soil with potential unwanted plants. Many weed seeds will persist for decades in the ground, sprouting to bother you years from now. Once weeds become established they are remarkably tenacious and persistent. Plan to keep container plants for summer color watered regularly and fertilized every three weeks. The process of watering leaches nutrients away from the roots, so renewal fertilization is vital for summer color spots.
Many gardeners incorporate a timed-release fertilizer when planting.
This helps, because most potting soils in bags seldom contain plant nutrients. The bedding plants you buy, looking green and healthy, have received regular doses of fertilizer at the nursery while growing. They need it to sustain healthy growth. What you choose to fertilize with doesn't matter as much as using it regularly. Do not over-fertilize with too much nitrogen, which will lead to leaves rather than flowers and fruit.