Planting A Container Garden
By Johann Erickson, Fri Dec 9th
If you are a person not blessed with a big sunny backyard, youneed not be deprived of the joy of gardening. You just need tothink on a smaller scale. The perfect solution…containergardening. Container gardening is an extremely versatile methodof growing not only colorful flowers, but also herbs and evensome fruits and vegetables. A container garden is especiallyideal for apartment dwellers that often don’t enjoy the luxuryof owning any “green space” of their own. The beauty ofcontainer gardening is that they generally require minimaleffort and maintenance and yet still yield beautiful results.Whether you choose to display your plants inside your home oreven as an additional feature to a bigger gardening area,container gardening is a beautiful addition to any home orgarden décor. With a few simple steps you too can experience thejoy of growing the garden of your dreams.
Choosingthe right container Just as there are a countless numberof plants to choose from, there are just as many containers togrow your plants in. Whether you choose an elaborately decoratedwindow box or opt for more simple terra cotta pots, your choicesreally are endless. It just depends on your own personal senseof style. There are some things to keep in mind, however, whenchoosing a container. Avoid containers with narrow openings orthat are small in capacity. Small containers restrict the growthof plants and their roots and are prone top drying out veryquickly. Make sure your pot allows for adequate drainage. Ifyour favorite container has no drainage holes drill some intothe bottom spacing them about ˝ an inch across. If hangingbaskets are your preference then line the containers with mossto increase water retention. Wooden containers are lovely butare prone to rotting. If you have your heart set on a containermade of wood, try redwood or cedar, as they are more durable andrelatively resistant to rotting.
Choosing yourplants Although annuals tend to be the most popularchoice for planting, virtually any plant can be grown in acontainer, form shrubs to tomato plants. Don’t be afraid toexperiment and try planting things that are pleasing to you.Some things to remember are to pick the right plant for theright container. For example, don’t choose a plant a shrub or anornamental tree in a small container. Bigger plants need biggerpots for their root system to grow properly. Also, if mixingplants in the same container, make sure they have the same lightand water requirements. For example, don’t plant a sun-lovingplant like roses with a shade loving plant like hosta. Also keepin mind bloom times. Don’t pick a combination of tulips, aspring-bloomer to be planted with autumn blooming mums. Otherthings to keep in mind are the mixing of colors, size, andtexture. As much as it’s fine to experiment you do always wantto
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