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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