Container gardening refers to growing plants and vegetables in pots or other containers. This type of planting is done on small scale and mostly used for indoor organic gardening, although potted plants also make nice accessories in more traditional gardens. Even those with small spaces like apartments can enjoy growing their own vegetables in a container garden.
Container gardening offers several benefits as well. They require less effort and less care since weeding isn’t generally an issue in containers. Vegetables and plants are grown naturally, and usually don’t require pesticides or other harmful chemicals, especially if kept indoors.
Choosing Your Containers
Some of the different types of containers you can use for your first container garden include
•Wooden barrels
•Planter boxes
•Hanging baskets
•Flower pots of different sizes
Your container garden is limited only by your imagination, though, so don’t restrict yourself to only traditional pots. Experiment with old shoes, coffee pots, mail boxes, kid’s toys, or even tiny teacups. Your garden can be strictly utilitarian, or as whimsical as a fairy tale, but there are certain considerations when it comes to choosing containers.
The most important feature of a container is that it must be wide and open. Narrow containers can be difficult to fill and to plant. It is better to use wooden or ceramic containers which allow water to evaporate. Plastic containers can trap moisture and heat and damage your plants. Also, look for pots that have small holes for water drainage. Holes should be ½ inch across, and before planting line the pot base with gravel to avoid soil loss. If you’re using wooden pots then go for the rot-resistant woods like redwood and cedar.
Choosing Your Plants
Almost every vegetable can be grown in containers; however the size of the plant will depend on the size of the container you’ve chosen. Some good choices for containers include lettuce and cabbage, bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes. Fruits and vegetables that don’t do well in containers include corn, raspberries, and any of the vine species like pumpkin and cucumber. They simply require more space than your average container garden allows.
Most vegetables require lots of sun, but if you’re lacking in sunny windows or balconies, then leafy veggies like cabbage and lettuce that can tolerate shade are a good choice. Bell peppers and carrots require more sunlight and should get at least six to eight hours of full sun daily. Refer to flower and vegetable guides and your seed packet for sunlight requirements.
Tall plants like tomatoes and beans require a bit more space, and are perfect for larger balconies and kitchen gardens. Tomatoes do well as hanging plants in specially made baskets, and beans will require a support system for climbing.
If your space is really limited, though, you might try growing sprouts. They’re fast to grow, take up very little space, and make a wonderful addition to salads and sandwiches. They also require no tough soil preparation, so they’re perfect for new gardeners to experiment with.
Container gardening is a good choice in situations where a traditional garden isn’t possible. From apartment dwellers who simply don’t have the space, to the elderly who can no longer get out to work in the garden, many gardeners enjoy growing their vegetables indoors. With a little preparation and wise plant choices, you can build your own container garden, and enjoy fresh, organic vegetables all year long.
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