Container Gardening Plans
for use in small spaces
If you don't have a large backyard our container gardening plans and designs for garden planters
will help you to make the most of the space available. A patio, deck, balcony, or doorstep can provide enough space
for a productive, attractive display. If you live in an apartment with limited outdoor space, you might consider
doing a little indoor gardening. By using sunny window sills, you can grow several plants using herb planters.
Both flowers and vegetables are suitable subjects either individually or as part of a mixed
container gardening scheme. As a first step try annuals container
gardening when you will sow the seed directly into the planter for an early summer show. Annuals look great in
hanging baskets which are another form of container gardening. Although more usually seen in a rock garden,
lisianthus thrives in a container gardening setting.
Many different varieties are suitable for fruit and vegetable container gardening. Vegetables which
are ideally suited for container gardening include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, green onions, beans, lettuce,
squash and radishes. Pole beans and cucumbers also do well in this type of garden, but they do require considerably
more space because of their climbing growth habit.
Planters are available in many sizes, shapes, and materials. Cheap plastic pots may deteriorate in
UV sunlight and terracotta pots dry out rapidly. Glazed ceramic pots are excellent choices but require several
drainage holes. If you are a DIY type, wood is a good material for building a container for gardening. As an
alternative wrought iron window boxes make for a fine display.
All containers, whether clay, wood, plastic, or ceramic, should have an adequate number of holes in
the bottom for proper drainage. Additional holes should be drilled or punched in containers that do not drain
quickly after each watering. Avoid containers with narrow openings and in hot climates use light-colored containers
to lessen heat absorption and discourage uneven root growth. For more ideas have a look at gardening supplies for
container gardens.
Lack of space is only one of the reasons why you should try using planters. Each person is unique
and has his or her own particular circumstances. They may be disabled with a need for easy accessibility, gardeners
with problem soil, elderly with limited mobility or busy two-worker families who don't have time to produce a large
garden. Often, convenience plays a big part, especially for vegetables and herbs. Having these essentially at your
fingertips is a tremendous advantage. The flexibility of container gardening design makes it easy to rearrange and
reshape your garden and to add new elements of interest and beauty.
Further benefits include economy in both cost and time. Once the appropriate containers and
materials are purchased, costs are minimal. You will be buying fewer plants and less fertilizer than for
traditional gardening. Container gardening reduces the amount of time you spend tending plants. Whether you plant
ornamentals or edibles, care is minimal. Time-release fertilizer and automatic watering systems can reduce that
time even more.
I hope that this short introduction to mixed container gardening has aroused your interest and that
you try at least one or two planters on your deck or patio.
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