Container Gardens
Everybody can grow flowers and vegetables. Yes, we mean everybody. No matter
where you live, no matter how small your space. For people with little space
for their favorite plants, container gardening is often the answer. You can
grow almost anything in a container garden. Small and compact, you can put
a container on your balcony or deck, or in a sunny window. Think two dimensional.
A container garden does not have to sit on the patio or deck. Many people
hang containers from a ceiling or against a wall. This is called
"vertical gardening".
Imagination is the key to container gardens. First imagine what kind of plants
you want to grow. Second, imagine the type of planters or containers. Then,
imagine the bountiful harvest of flowers and/or vegetables that you will
enjoy because it is certainly within your reach.
Selecting the right plants:
The right plants are the ones you select to grow. They can be flowers, vegetables
or even small bushes. While most people traditionally think of small plants,
if you really want to grow a particular plant, give it a try. Very few plants
are not suited for container gardens. Corn for example, may make an unsuitable
vegetable as it takes numerous plants to properly pollinate the ears. But,
most others are just fine. Even vining plants can be used. Some people grow
pumpkins and squash in containers from their deck and let the vines hang
down the deck or sprawl across the floor. One woman I know just had to grow
pumpkins. So, she planted them in an old kiddie pool...on top of her apartment
complex in downtown Los Angeles!
Types of Containers or Planters:
There is virtually no limit to the type of container you can use. And, here
is where the fun and your creativity begins. Use your creative side and find
some container suitable to your tastes and decor. Buckets, barrels, watering
cans, vats, to name just a few. If it holds soil, it can probably be your
container!
Size is also important. If you are selecting larger plants, then a large
container is required. Many plants do not like to be root bound, so make
sure to provide ample size. Depth and width of the container is equally important
as roots spread out and down from the stem.
More on Garden Planters and
Containers
Buy Garden Planters
How to Grow Plants in Container Gardens:
Container plants dry out easily. Make sure to check them and water daily
if necessary. The smaller the container, the more frequent the watering.
If you are going away, have a neighbor check them.
Avoid overcrowding your plants. The limited space, means limited water and
nutrients.
Containers need to have proper drainage. The container you use, needs to
have holes in the bottom for drainage. Plants roots will rot in overly wet
or water-logged soil. Usually, three or four holes will do.
Add fertilizer regularly. Frequent watering will wash out important nutrients.
Try slow release fertilizers.
We suggest Jobe's Fertilizer spikes.
Rotate your containers in a circular motion every couple of days to provide
even sunlight to all the plants in the container.
If your plant becomes to big for it's container, consider repotting. This
may not be practical for seasonal plants and annuals. And, it may become
a necessity, for container grown shrubs and perennials.
More on repotting plants.
More Information:
Soil Borne
Insects
Vertical Gardening- Grow plants
up and down, in a limited space. It's a great gardening technique for limited
space. Use it on your balcony, patio or deck, to open up a wealth of gardening
possibilities.
Browse Vertical Planters now
More Information:
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
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