Introduction
Container gardening is a great idea for city dwellers or anyone who doesn’t have a green thumb. You can get started with these basic tips to help you get the most out of this experience. Keep in mind that container gardening isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight, but if you give it time and attention, it will pay off! In order to keep your plants healthy, you’ll need to add nutrients and water them on a regular basis. It’s also important to pick containers that are appropriately sized for your plants so they don’t have too much space to grow wildly.
Pick the right container for your plant
It’s important to pick a container that is large enough for your plant, but not too big. You want to give it just enough space to grow, but not so much that the roots get tangled and start dying.
The size of your container should also be considered based on how much you’re willing to move it around and the ability to bring it indoors.
Be sure to choose a pot that has holes or slits in the bottom so the water can drain easily after each watering. This is essential for preventing root rot as if there’s standing water in the pot, the roots will begin to die off. If you water regularly, there won’t be any standing water in the pot by the next day.
Choosing what to plant
As far as plants go, you should select something that matches your available space and sunlight exposure. You can grow pretty much anything in a container if given adequate light exposure.
Container garden vegetables can include tomatoes, green beans, spinach and lettuce. Herbs are always a great choice because they generally do well in containers and require little space for growth.
You can grow ornamentals from trees to flowers, vines, and other types of plants. Just make sure you know what to expect from your plant before you start because some trees grow very quickly, while others are slow-growing.
Start small
Before you get too excited about planting a large container garden, it’s probably best if you start small.
For example, if you’re not very familiar with plants and gardening, you should probably stick to the basics like herbs and flowers for your first few tries. It can be easy to get overwhelmed when you try to take on too much. So it’s best that you start off small until you gain some experience and really feel like this is something that you’re going to stick with for a while.
Using a Trellis for Climbing Plants
If you have a trellis, then it can provide some structure for climbing plants. Here are some suggestions:
Climbing vines like morning glories and clematis Both of these flowers will climb up on their own, but they also love to cling onto fences or trellises. They’re both edible flowers that will add a colorful splash of color to your garden.
A climbing vegetable like a cucumber This is a really great idea because you can eat the plant from multiple angles before it needs to be re-potted again. However, you need to have veggies in mind that can adapt well to being stuck in a pot, and cucumbers are perfect for that.
Here are some plants that may not be the best fit for climbers:
Tomatoes These plants need lots of room to grow because they’ll produce many fruits at once. Plus, tomatoes typically need a particular pH in order to thrive (which is why you should research your specific variety). If you don’t know what kind of soil you have or what the pH is, it’s best to avoid planting tomatoes in a container.
Pumpkins A pumpkin plant can grow up to 10 feet tall. It will definitely need some sturdy stakes if it decides to climb because there are no vines for it to cling onto!
Add nutrients to your soil before planting
Adding the right nutrients to your soil before planting is an important step in successful container gardening. Often, plant fertilizer will contain just the right amount of nutrients for healthy plant growth. For example, Miracle-Gro® Plant Food contains 16 essential nutrients for beautiful flowers and vegetables. You can find it at most home improvement or nursery stores in the garden section.
Don’t have time to pick up some fertilizer?
Look for organic substances that are high in nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium – these will benefit your plants. Compost is a great source of all three nutrients. Coffee grounds, cottonseed meal, and blood meal can also be used to add nutrients to your soil before planting. Chip in with your friends or neighbors to share the cost – you can place them in a compost bin for later use.
Use the right soil
Use nutrient-rich soils that are specifically made for your plants, the soil is another essential factor when it comes to container gardening success. Instead of simply grabbing some dirt from the ground, it’s important to purchase high-quality potting mix, which can be found in most garden centers or home improvement stores. Avoid any kind of soil that’s listed as “sterilized” – this means it has been treated with a substance to kill weed seeds, insects, and disease organisms.
Plant in a sunny area, but not in direct sunlight
The sun’s rays already contain the energy that your plants need to grow. However, if it shines directly on them then their leaves could burn and they won’t be able to make use of all of the light. It’s best to put your container garden away from any sources of constant heat like vents or chillers because this can also make them wilt or suffer frost damage.
Water regularly and pick containers with drainage holes so excess water can escape
Container gardening is a popular way to grow plants when large yards or gardens are not available. It is important that the containers you use have drainage holes so that excess water can escape.
Water vegetables regularly, but don’t overwater them. Too much moisture can also cause rotten roots which will kill the plant.
Container plants require less fertilizer than larger plants because their root systems are small and close to the soil. Research your container plant of choice to make sure you properly prepare its seeds or young plants for growing in a container environment before planting them.
Pick containers that are appropriately sized for your plant. Some vegetable plants, like winter squash or cucumbers, can reach up to ten feet long so they need large planters while smaller potted herbs only need about 6 inches of soil space.
Use a well-draining potting soil that has fertilizer mixed in. You should only need to add fertilizer every few months for container plants.
Do not plant a container garden on a deck or balcony that is made from pressure-treated materials as the chemicals in the wood could leach into your soil and kill your plants.
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that hanging plants will give them better sun exposure and let them save space. If you’re using a traditional hanging pot and want to save space, then make sure it’s not very large. Otherwise, you run the risk of overwatering your plants. You should also make sure that wherever you decide to put the container garden is easily accessible for tending to it (watering, waste disposal, etc.).
Don’t overwater your plants or let them dry out completely most types of herbs and vegetables need just enough water to keep them moist. If they sit in overly wet soil then it will encourage mold growth
Use organic potting soil instead of regular dirt or sand for better quality plants
It is important to use organic potting soil, instead of regular dirt or sand, for container plants because it ensures that your plants are growing with healthy materials. Regular soil can also contain bugs and other organisms that will weaken the plant. Organic potting soil, alternatively, is made without using any pesticides or fertilizers that could be harmful to the plant.
Contact local nurseries for container garden supplies large home improvement stores might not have the right size containers for your plants. They also may not carry organic potting soil or fertilizer in smaller quantities. Contacting local nurseries will give you access to planters in various sizes and types, as well as any specific tools that you might need to get started with your container garden.
Add mulch around your plants to keep moisture levels high and prevent weeds from growing
Mulch is a protective layer for your containers that can help maintain moisture levels and inhibit weed growth. Mulch also protects the roots from being poked by stones or other hard objects. You can use materials such as straw, gravel, or leaves to create a mulch that best suits the size of your containers. It should be at least two inches thick but no more than six inches.
Conclusion
Container gardening is a great way to grow plants in your own space with limited resources. The key to success with container gardens is choosing the right size containers and selecting healthy, hearty plants that will thrive indoors. You’ll need to water regularly and make sure you have drainage holes for excess water so it doesn’t pool at the bottom of your pots or around your plant’s roots. It may take some time before you see results but once you do, I’m betting this little garden will become one of your favorite spaces! If these tips sound helpful, share them on social media or start planning out how many more windowsills can accommodate little green friends!