Flower Container Gardening

September 14th, 2010

Getting Started with Flower Container Gardening

Container gardening is a very convenient form of creating a garden within or around your home.  It is a fun hobby and brings out the creativity in you, giving you immense satisfaction.

Designing your own container garden in the space available to you is an art in itself.  Looking for suitable containers the right space with the maximum amount of sunlight to grow your plants requires more than just theory.  There are some dos and don’ts that need to be considered before you decide to design and create a container flower garden.

Before you begin, look for a place to start your container flower garden.  It could be in the balcony, patio or a large window with a ledge.  Depending on where you will place them, you can decide on the number of containers you wish to keep and their sizes.

Look for different sizes and shapes when you buy flower pots and containers.  If you have already decided on what kind of flower plants you are planning to grow ensure that the containers are not too small to hold the plants.   Likewise, if you have a large deck or balcony where you are going to place your flower containers, keep the pots large enough so they don’t get lost.

Before you buy the flowering plant, keep it in mind that the plant should not be wider than the pot or container and should not be the kind that grows too tall in proportion to the height of the container.  Keep it simple and either have just one single tall-standing flower plant per pot or one tall plant in the center along with one trailing plant and a filler.  Do not use too many trailing plants in a beautiful pot or it will hide the pot when it grows and starts covering it.

Arrangement of the pots at the gardening site should be done aesthetically so the plants do not look crowded together.  Set up the pots in such a way that there is a balanced look. Smaller pots clustered around a large container give a sense of balance.  Also keep the flower colors in mind when arranging the containers for that aesthetic look.

Have fun in creating the perfect harmony right within your house with container flower gardening.  A mix of small trees, perennials, bushes and shrubs, herbs and vegetables around your flower plants will add the extra bit of interest in your garden.

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Organic Container Gardening

September 14th, 2010

What is Organic Container Gardening?

Organic gardening is done outdoors, whereas organic container gardening can be done both outdoors as well as indoors.  Growing organic plants in pots is the best solution for having home grown vegetables or herbs in a manner that is environment-friendly and flexible.

What is required for organic container gardening?

A container or pot is the first thing required.  Ideally a natural container made of clay, terracotta, ceramic, wood or even strong cardboard that will retain water but not soak and disintegrate would make the best holders for your organic plants.  Avoid using plastic and containers made of resources that are not bio-degradable.

Old cowboy boots, tires and even watering cans make great containers for an organic garden.  Only ensure that the container is large and deep enough to hold your plants and let the roots to develop and grow for its survival.

Make sure to drill holes in the bottom of the planters or containers to allow for water drainage.  Water logging of the soil around the plant can rot the roots if the excess water is not allowed to drain out.

The right kind of soil for container gardening would be straight peat moss or you could add some composted manure to it – about 20% of it should be just about right.  Peat moss retains water and helps keep the plant well hydrated.  Adding homemade compost using your own kitchen leftovers and refuse etc.  Would be the best nutrition your organic plants can get to thrive in.   Just make sure you do not use garden variety soil as the mix turns very hard with frequent watering.

Need plants or seeds that grow in soil.

Fertilizers needed for organic gardens should also be organic.  These could include coffee grounds and tea dregs to allow microorganisms to grow in artificial soils before adding them to the soil in your containers.  Fish emulsion with its high nitrogen count is considered by far the best organic fertilizer.  The nitrogen content in the soil that gets flushed out during watering can be replaced best by using fish emulsion.

Pest control carried out in an environmentally friendly way would help to keep the nuisance off from your organic garden plants.  The best way is to use a jet of water-spray at the kitchen sink.

There are many flowers and vegetables that can be grown comfortably by organic container gardening.  A few examples are cherry tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, greens, carrots, onions and herbs.

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Container Gardening Watering Tips

July 31st, 2010

Tips for Container Gardening Watering

You could call yourself a success at container gardening if you are able to not only establish a container garden in or around your home, but also manage to keep it healthy and flourishing without putting in much effort.  We will discuss here some tips to keep your container gardens fresh and green.

Plants need the presence of water round the year to keep them strong and healthy to survive any kind of weather.  And you don’t need to have to worry about sending your neighbor round to water your plants when you are traveling or away for a few days because you are afraid your plants may dry or wither away in the absence of regular water supply.

An important issue for container gardening is successful watering.  Many people have tried and tested various ideas and ways to tide the problem.  Timer-controlled water systems and attempts to keep the soil moist by lining the container using plastic sheeting are some of the measures taken by some people.  Mixing loose water storing granules in the compost also helps to some extent.  But the most effective tip for container gardening is oasis creation and maintenance.

Oasis Creation

Create a source for water at the root level by placing two layers of capillary matting inside the container.  Between the two layers of matting, lay on a level of water storing granules available in the market.  Ensure that the granules are the kind that naturally breaks down within the soil.  The capillary matting lets roots penetrate to the water level to absorb water and is effective right till the end of the season.   Remember, the capillary shields or matting should be non-toxic and free of sodium salts and made from polymer fibers.  The water storing granules between the capillary shields get swollen with the liquid feed when you water your plant and keep giving the plant its nutrition even when you are not around to water your plant daily.

Adding a mulch of tiny pebbles at the base of the plant and over the soil will also prevent water from evaporating as quickly as it does normally.  Keeping your plant in a cool dark place will also help to avoid dryness and withering.

With these container garden watering tips, now you can rest assured of coming back from your vacation and seeing your container plants looking fresh, happy, and maybe even blooming in spite of you not being around to water them every day.

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Container Vegetable Gardening

July 31st, 2010

Why Container Vegetable Gardening?

Container gardening can be done inside or outside your home and you can enjoy your plants in the limited area of an urban apartment.  If you have more space around your home to create an outdoor garden, you can grow your plants in containers and have the flexibility of moving the containers inside your home in case of bad weather.  You can always buy vegetables in the supermarket but you can  get the creative experience of growing vegetables in containers in your own home and enjoy other benefits at the same time.

Cost benefit: Gardening was never as inexpensive as container gardening.  You can utilize anything from plastic containers, to planters to re-usable cans and containers that are pollution free.  And, you get to produce your own home-grown vegetables and herbs instead of going out to the grocery store to purchase them, spending valuable gas and at nearly double the money.

Environment friendly: The vegetables and herbs you grow in your own home are as fresh as they can get and you don’t need to get them delivered to you by trucks.  Therefore, you are contributing to saving the environment by reducing the use of gas used in transportation by the delivery trucks and also the use of plastic bags, which you would have been needed to carry your groceries back home.

Organic Vegetable Container Gardening

Container gardened vegetable plants do not have the disadvantage of getting affected by soil-borne diseases or bad conditions of the soil.  This raises the possibility of growing organic vegetables, herbs and fruits like lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli and tomatoes.  You know and feel more confident of having grown your own organic vegetables.

Adaptability:  It does not require people of a certain age to take pleasure in container gardening. You can be innovative in ideas for selecting the type and color of containers and use themes to beautify your kitchen, porch or balcony. All the members of a family can contribute in creating a harmonious looking garden that will not only contribute to the …. Looks but also look stylish to visitors to your home.

Mix and Match options: You have a wide variety of vegetables to choose from.  You can also opt for growing a vegetable and herb, fruit or flower plant in the same container.  The colors will complement each other in looks and you get to save on precious space.
You no longer have to worry about space and having to start cultivating a garden when you have the option of creating your own organic vegetable container garden either within or around your home.

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Getting Started with Container Gardening

July 29th, 2010

How to start Container Gardening?

Most people think that container gardening is having potted plants growing lovely flowers used to beautify your home.   You can start container gardening on your porches, patios, roof tops or other spaces.  Very few people know that you can also grow vegetables along with the flowers in the same containers.   You can mix herbs along with the vegetables or grow a combination of fruits and vegetables to make it beautiful container garden.

Other than saving on precious space, you will notice the splash of color in the containers during flowering or bearing fruit will add to the color of your home and brighten the surroundings making it look livelier.  Imagine a combination of a marigolds plant along with a cherry tomato plant.  The combination would not only add to the beauty of your home, but also look mouth-watering.

Set aside a few planters to just start up and produce fruit.  Did you know that strawberries grown in a container bear more fruit?  That is because, by nature, strawberry plants grow and creepers and send shoots to the ground to take root to begin a new plant.  Grown in a container, their tendency to grow is restricted and they use that energy into bearing fruit instead.

The first thing you need to do is to set up the container or pot.  To prepare it, ensure there are drainage holes drilled in the bottom of the pot or make a drainage space at the bottom of the pot by first putting in some gravel or Styrofoam before adding soil over it.  Styrofoam will keep the pot light enough to be moved around.  Make sure there is enough soil for the plants to take root, though.

Avoid using garden soil.  For use in container gardening, normal soil from your yard is too heavy.  Organic material present in light soil helps in appropriate drainage in container gardening.  You can also prepare the perfectly healthy soil for containers by mixing compost and peat moss with regular potting soil along with in time release fertilizer which will last for about three months.

Massaging the roots of the plant to break them up slightly and using a root starting fertilizer before placing it into the soil will help the plant to get a good start.  After planting the plant, trimming it will make it grow healthier and fuller.

Container gardening is a rewarding hobby.  A little effort will reap rich rewards for you to see and experience the pleasure and satisfaction of giving in to your creative side.

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What is Container Gardening?

July 29th, 2010

Container Gardening Basics

Growing plants in containers is the second fastest growing trend in gardening today after vegetable gardening.  Container gardening is a great option for people who do not have a big yard to grow their own vegetables or flower plants.  These gardens are movable and can change with the mood of the gardener.  Container gardening can be done indoor as well as outdoor.  You get to grow your vegetable round the year without having to worry about the change in season.

During winter the vegetable plants along with their containers can be brought inside the house and the temperature could be adjusted to suit their growth.  Which is why container gardening is considered a terrific alternative to gardening the traditional way.  Here are some container gardening basics which will help you to start your own container garden.

Vegetable Container Gardening

Vegetable container gardening is a latest trend of growing vegetables organically at home. Firstly, you need to ascertain what kind of vegetables you would like to grow.  All traditionally grown vegetables cannot be grown in containers due to the limited space available.  So select vegetables that do not grow oversize or large or require a lot of work to be invested by you.  You have a choice of vegetables to choose from: peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, celery and beet are some.  If you visit your local nursery or garden center, you will get an idea of what is available and suitable for vegetable container gardening.

Container Garden Design

Container garden design is an art. There are different types of containers to select from.  Depending on their shape, size and color, you could decide what would best suit the space where you plan to keep your vegetable containers if you plan to get them indoors.  It would be best to be prudent and keep the container small enough so you can move them around easily.  The shape and color of the container is a matter of your preference.  You might like to keep the decor of your home in mind when you make your choice of color.

Container Gardening Tips

For best results it would be advisable to follow the instructions given on the package of plants or seeds you buy.  As for soil, never put it directly into the container you plan to grow your vegetables in.  It might contain pests or diseases that could prove harmful to the growth of your plants.  Potting soil is available at a nursery or a garden center and is the best soil for use.

Once you have all these materials, you are on your way to start your own indoor gardening or container gardening.  Getting started will take time, but the fruits of your labor are rewarding and well worth the painstaking effort that goes in to begin and maintain your container plants.

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