Container gardening continues to be a growing trend.
Growing flowers and edibles in containers makes sense for people who have limited space but still want to exercise their green thumb. It used to be when we thought of growing plants in containers, we would think of flowering hanging baskets, as these were, and continue to be, popular.
Over the years though, gardeners and growers have become very inventive and now you can find containers of all sorts, styles and sizes filled with flowers, vegetables and herbs. There are a few important things to think about if you are planning on planting and/or growing a container garden.
When choosing a container, look for a container that has drainage or one that you are able to put drainage into. Size also makes a difference. The larger the pot the more soil it will hold, which will mean watering less often. The smallest-sized container you would want to use would be 30 centimetres.
When you have your container picked out, the next step would be to fill it with soil. This is also, a very important step as the soil is the foundation for the plants' roots. The best soil to use for a container is a potting soil or container mixes. Don't use garden soil.
Choosing plant material will depend on where the container will be located. Most flowers and many of the vegetables and herbs do best in a sunny location where they will receive at least six hours of daily sun. It is important to choose the right plants for the right area for the best success.
Some vegetables are better than others when it comes to growing them in a container, and the size of container will dictate what can be grown in it. Some popular container vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, salad greens, lettuce, spinach, beans, onions, carrots, beets, radishes, peas (grow on a trellis for a vertical garden) zucchini, strawberries, and even potatoes.
Growing your own herbs in containers is an easy, money-saving way to enjoy fresh herbs in your favourite recipes. Many of them are attractive-looking plants, with aromatic scents which is an added bonus.
When choosing different herbs to place in one container make sure that all the herbs share the same growing needs such as amount of moisture and light. Basil is one herb that does best in its own container as it can be fussy to grow, in regards to the amount of moisture it needs and poor frost tolerance. When planting different herbs in one container place the taller herbs in the centre of the container or in the back and place the creeping herbs along the edges. Herbs can also be mixed in with containers filled with vegetables or flowers.
Keeping the plants healthy involves feeding them with the proper fertilizer. There are different types, such as slow release fertilizers that are mixed in the soil before planting and will slowly and continuously feed the plants throughout the season.
Another option is using a water soluble fertilizer and feeding the plants on a weekly basis. When purchasing fertilizer, look at the three numbers N-P-K on the label and choose the one that best fits the plants you are growing. For example flowering plants do not need as much nitrogen so a 12-36-12 works well as the 36 (phosphorous) promotes blooms.
Don't forget to water. Plants grown in containers will need to be watered more often than those grown in the garden. Check the plants daily and water as needed. The size of the pot, maturity of plants and the weather will dictate how often the plants will need to be watered.
Whether you plant or purchase container gardens for their beauty or for their edible products, container gardens are a great alternative to garden beds. They also make great gifts especially for mom this Mother's Day weekend.
