Five Things You Should Know Container Gardening

 Container gardening is a good solution for growing vegetables or plants for those that have linted outdoor space. The good thing about container gardening is that you can put them on an outside deck and at the end of the season you can bring them inside. Here are some ideas you can use to get started.

 1. Choose good containers for your plants.

You can use just about anything that will hold dirt and is sturdy enough to have drainage holes poked into the bottom. You don’t have to use Terra cotta pots to have plants that flourish and you don’t need to spend a lot of money. If you are a beginner I suggest you re-purpose a plastic bowl until you have gained a little experience. Just remember that you will be bringing your plants in for the winter, so you may want to choose something pleasing to the eye.

 2 .Determine the the correct size of the containers.

In order to have healthy plant growth you must provide enough space for your plants roots to flourish. I have a friend who loves herb pots to be crowded with plants. This is fine for some herbs. But for most other plants,if the container is too big the plant will spend a lot of time on root production and if it too small the plant will become root-bound. The plant itself is what determines container size, your local nursery can help you to make a selection.

 3. When you put plants together, put the shorter ones in front.

Only put plants together that have the same watering and requirements and suunlight needs. Always put the shorter plants in front. This is done so that your shorter plants can be seen and appreciated. It will also help them to get some sunlight.

 4. Determine the amount of water needed.

As a rule your container garden will need more attention than your traditional outdoor garden because they need to be watered more often. Container gardens dry out much faster and you need to factor in several things when determining the watering schedule. In higher temperatures you may need to water your plant once or twice a day. Just monitor your plant and if you notice the soil is dry to the touch or coming away from the container, start watering more often.

 5. Consider drought-tolerant plants.

Plants in containers need frequent watering. If you are the type of person that forgets to water their plants or you travel often, then your should choose something low maintenance. There are many herbs such Thyme, Rosemary or Aloe that would be good choices.

 Container gardens can do for a small space the same thing that outdoor gardens can do for a large backyard. Just try some of these tips and you will be please at how well your garden grows.