In this blog, we are going to talk about how to start container gardening. This kind of gardening is perfect for someone who has small spaces for their plants. Container gardening is the best choice when you have a tiny garden, small deck, or patio.
Just imagine how delightful is to have fresh herbs pot sitting on the window. You can pluck any amount of fresh leaves whenever you want for your dishes. However, you are just far from some little effort to make your stunning pots full of thriving flowers.
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Benefits of container gardening
1) Fewer pests
Don’t worry about insects that you spot moving from plant to plant in the garden. The reason is that they might fail to discover your plants present on the deck, verandah, or balcony. In case, there is a problem, then relocate the pot and isolate the affected plant until you take control of that problem.
2) More Variety
There is a possibility to grow any kind of plant that might fail to be suitable to grow in the garden soil. Even if the plants have distinctive soil needs, you can still grow those plants next to each other.
3) Easy fertilizing
When your plants are confined to a much small area, then it becomes easier to well-fed the plants. You might have noticed that the plants grown in garden beds can lose their nutrient content. But that’s not the case with container gardening, there is no neighboring plant to absorb nutrients.
4) Versatile
With container gardening you get the advantage to grow at any place, whether it is a balcony, windowsill, courtyard, patio, or indoors. Even you can grow them on the boat deck, caravan annex, or rooftop.
How to do container gardening?
1) Pick the right container
You have to consider characteristics of your container such as appearance, weight, and weather changes sensitivity. While selecting a container for your garden, you also have to consider things like style, space, and budget. To aid you in choosing pots, we have mentioned some kinds of pots:
- Metal- In this, galvanized buckets and tubs are the best options to go for. But you’ve to be careful while using such containers as they can easily cook your plants if they got heated up in the sun.
- Repurposed Containers- You can house your favorite plants with the tiny buckets, watering containers, and old baskets present at home. This kind of thrifted look will give a touch of rustic style.
- Terra-Cotta- You can also call it clay pots which are inexpensive and versatile. These pots come in plain or sometimes decorated in colorful glaze. However, the drawback of terra-cotta pots is that they are fragile.
- Concrete- This kind of container is strong enough to take any of the weather. However, you’ve to be careful while placing concrete planters. The reason is that they are tough to move and turn heavy when soil and plants get filled in them.
2) Choose the color scheme
With a color theme, you can get aid in selecting a good mix of your plants. While choosing plants, just make sure that they all have the same light level requirement and watering frequency. You can combine the below-mentioned types of plants to add balance and interest to your garden:
- Spiller- These are the plants that you can hang over the container’s edge. In case, your container garden can be seen from all sides, then try to place them all the way around.
- Thriller- Such kinds of plants can add a bold vertical and height element. Some of the options comprise ornamental grasses, upright flowering plants, and foliage plants. You can place the thrillers near the container center.
- Filler- You can place filler around or in front of the thriller. If you have a narrow and long container, just like a window box, then place the filler midway between the thrillers and the container edge.
3) Potting soil for container
It is better to fill your container two-thirds along with a potting mix. Now, you might be thinking of what soil is for container gardening. The answer is there is no need to use garden soil because it is heavy and thus, won’t drain at all.
In case, you have a larger planter, and you’re not interested in using less potting mix, then it is better to turn your small containers upside down. Now, place those containers on the bottom so that they can take up space.
4) Place your plants
Finally, you’re all set to add plants, but before that squeeze nursery containers around the sides. With this root ball will get loose enough to slide it out. Now, it is time to set plants on the potting mix. Make sure that the top of their root balls are a few inches below the container rim.
Use more potting mix to fill in around the plants and ensure that their stems are not much deep into the soil than the nursery containers. You can eliminate any large air pockets with the use of your hands by pressing down them lightly.
5) Water them
You can help your soil to settle in by watering your tiny garden. To make sure all the roots get covered, just add more soil. However, keep in mind that the level of the soil must be a few inches below the rim of the container to prevent any kind of spillage.
After your first watering, don’t forget to check back in at least two days to see if your soil is dry to the touch or not. You can water them again if you feel dryness. If some water runs out of the drainage hole, then it is clear that you have given enough water to them.
Tips for container gardening
- Before you choose a container, there is a need to make sure that it is clean. In simple words, no previous season’s leftover soil or materials on the wall will be accepted. So, make your container sterile to prevent posing any danger to the pants.
- Just because they are containers, you don’t have to move them all the time. However, it is vital to place them during cold weather at a warm place and don’t forget to offer them the required amount of sunlight during the day. Such things can be achieved only if you move your containers to the right place.
- There is a need to check your container’s drainage holes in the bottom. It is because there can be a case when holes are non-existent, which can result in waterlogging, and thus, your plant will get damaged.
- It would be better if you look for a large enough container that can support root system plants to keep your plant healthy. If it is possible, then avoid using toxic containers, such as containers that were used for storing chemicals.
Conclusion
With container gardening, it becomes easy to give a splash of color to the tiny garden, porch, or patio. However, the thing to note here is that you can use anything as a form container until and unless it is durable and clean. We hope that this guide on container gardening has got your all queries covered!
