Container Gardening Tips
Lee Dobbins
Container gardens allow people who don’t have the space, time or
energy for a full garden to still nourish their green thumb and
grow beautiful flowers. Container gardens can look beautiful on a
rooftop, on a busy city stoop, on a patio or deck and even mixed
in with your regular garden.
Plants are easy to grow in containers and are a versatile way of
creating a colorful garden. Containers are great because you can
move your plants around to create different effects. If one
plant isn’t doing well, or the bloom season has passed, simply
remove it and replace it with another container. You can arrange
your containers in a group, line them up or strategically place
them singly around your yard or patio. Either way, you’ll love
this simple way to create a garden oasis anywhere you want.
You can use most anything for a container, but be sure it has
good drainage. Try old bowls or antique urns. If there is no
drain hole, be sure to include lots of rocks on the bottom of the
container. Terra cotta pots are nice but tend to absorb water
which can cause your plants to dry out - if you do decide to go
with these pots, you can paint the inside with a special sealer
to prevent this. Always try to get a matching saucer or use a
special plate or drip basin for your containers as this will save
your deck or patio from getting stained or rotting.
Always use a good quality potting mix in your containers. This
will ensure the best performance possible from your plants.
When planting in containers, be sure to use a good potting mix
that has fertilizer appropriate for the plant you will be
planting. Do not overcrowd the plants in the pot - remember that
with proper care they will grow into the pot and you don’t want
them to be overcrowded because they may start to look unhealthy.
Be sure to keep your container plants watered but do not over
water. Plants in containers can dry out very easily so you will
probably have to water every day and fertilize every month.
When planning your container garden you want to be sure to have
plants of varying heights as well as shapes and textures. Any
setting will look better with taller plants in the back and lower
ones in the front. Using annuals that bloom all year will keep
your pots looking fresh and beautiful, but don’t forget to add in
some nice greenery as well.
It’s best to decide ahead of time where you want your containers
to be positioned, and then buy plants that suit the situation. It
won’t do to buy sun loving plants if the container is going to be
in the shade for they will not do well. Also be aware that some
plants have large root systems and are not suitable for container
planting.
Some great places for container gardens include the patio, deck,
driveway and porch. If you have steps leading up to your front
door, an attractive container on each one is a great way to
welcome your visitors. If there is a lot of space by your front
door group a bunch of potted plants off to one side which will be
more visually appealing than one plant on each side of the steps.
When grouping your plants, always group in odd numbers and make
sure to vary the heights and sizes of the pots as well as the
plants.
Container gardening is a great because you can limit the amount
of plants you have to take care of. If you only want a few then
just have a couple of containers but if you can handle more than
go for it. With a little bit of creativity you can create a
container garden that will be the envy of your friends and
neighbors.
Lee Dobbins write for
http://www.flower-garden.gardening-wise.com
where you can get more great flower growing tips
See Also:
Index of Gardens & Gardening
All About Organic Gardening
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