10 Container Gardening Tips You Need To Know

There are many advantages to container gardening. It’s a great way to add color and texture to your garden, and it allows you to grow plants that might not otherwise survive in your climate.

It also means you can move your plants around as needed maybe you want them closer so they’re easier to tend, or maybe they need more sun one season than another.

But there are also some downsides when it comes to container gardening: You have less soil volume than regular gardeners do, so nutrients don’t break down as quickly; pests can make their way into pots easily; and watering can be a challenge (especially if you live in an area that gets lots of rain during the summer).

CONTAINER GARDENING for BEGINNERS: 10 Simple Steps

Takeaways
Containers make gardening easy in small spaces
Choose the right container for your plants
Use a quality potting mix for best results
Consider the sun and shade needs of your plants
Water your container plants regularly
Protect container plants from pests and diseases
Fertilize your container plants regularly
Choose the right plants for your containers
Use container gardening to grow fresh produce and beautiful flowers
Experiment and have fun with container gardening!

Use Special Potting Soil For Containers

Potted plants need a special type of soil. Instead of regular dirt, which is heavy and not very porous, potting soil for containers has a different consistency that makes it easier to work with.

This type of soil is also lighter than regular soil, which makes watering less difficult. The reason the soil is so light? It has more nutrients in it and less water to keep your plant alive!

If you use regular garden dirt (or even dirt from your backyard), your plants will be more likely to suffer from root rot because they’re getting too much water and not enough nutrients to stay healthy. If you want beautiful container gardens that live long lives, make sure they start out in the right kind of potting mix!

Container gardening is a great way to grow fresh produce and beautiful flowers, even if you don’t have a lot of outdoor space. Check out our ultimate guide to container gardening for small spaces for tips on how to get started with container gardening today.

Put Pots In The Right Place

Once you’ve chosen the type of container to use, it’s time to think about where you’re going to put it. After all, your plants need sun but not too much!

They also need shade for part of the day but not too much! And they also need water every day but not too much! And then there’s soil.

If you’re lucky enough to have a sunny spot in your garden, choose one that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

If you don’t have space for a large planting bed or other arrangement where there’s access from all sides (like an island), consider placing two pots together so they’re nestled against each other with plants on both sides.

This way there won’t be any gaps in between them and light will still reach all sides of each pot. You can place taller plants towards one side and smaller ones closer together on the other side without sacrificing any light exposure needed by either one

Table: Placement of Pots for Container Gardening

Best Locations for Container Gardening	Recommended Brands
Windowsills and Balconies: These areas offer ample sunlight and easy accessibility.	Gardenised, Suncast, and Keter have some great balcony-friendly pots.
Porches and Patios: These areas offer some shade and protection from wind and rain.	Bloem, Novelty, and Adams Manufacturing have durable porch-friendly pots.
Indoors: Indoor plants can benefit from natural light and humidity.	Lechuza, Goodpick, and La Jolie Muse make fantastic indoor planters.

This table provides information on the best locations for container gardening, depending on the amount of sunlight, shade, and protection from the elements available in the area. Additionally, it suggests some recommended brands for pots that are ideal for each location.

Water And Feed Regularly

Water plants regularly and fertilize them regularly, but don’t overfeed or feed too much. You should water your container garden every day, but it’s not necessary to water it in the morning or evening just because you water other plants then; you can water it when you remember.

Make sure that you’re feeding your plants with nutrient-rich soil (or fertilizer) instead of plain potting soil if they’re grown in containers outdoors.

Fertilizers with urea, ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate are best for container gardening because they have high nitrogen content that helps build strong roots on houseplants and vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.

Don’t fertilize plants that are planted in shady areas as this will make them grow quickly but produce fewer flowers than expected.

Indoor gardening is a wonderful way to brighten up your home and bring some greenery indoors. Follow our guide on indoor gardening 101 to learn everything you need to know to start your own indoor garden.

Choose The Right Pot For Your Plants

Choose a pot that will fit the plant’s size. It is important to choose a container that is large enough for your plant to grow and thrive. If you have a young, small starter plant, then choose an appropriately sized pot for it.

However, if you have an older, larger plant that has outgrown its current pot, then it’s time to upgrade to something larger so as not to stunt its growth by crowding roots into too small of space.

Select a container with sufficient drainage holes or holes at the bottom of the pot that can be filled with stones or gravel when planting so water doesn’t pool up inside the soil (and cause root rot).

The depth of your pots should also match their size so they don’t overflow when watering plants in pots sitting on benches outdoors where water runoff could cause damage if nearby items aren’t waterproofed (i.e., wood tables).

Take Good Care Of Drainage

Drainage is an essential part of container gardening. If the pot has drainage holes, make sure they’re clear and not blocked by soil or debris.

You should also check that water isn’t accumulating in the bottom of your pot—if it is, use a saucer to catch any overflow and then empty it periodically so that you don’t over-water your plant.

If you have an unglazed terracotta container (like this one), you may need to drill some drainage holes into the bottom for proper drainage.

There are many ways to water plants in containers:

Use a watering can with a fine rose (the hole at the top) or hose nozzle attachment with adjustable flow control dial* Use a watering wand with adjustable flow control dial

Having trouble keeping your indoor plants healthy and happy? Our ultimate guide to indoor gardening tips and tricks for success has got you covered. Check it out to learn how to become an expert indoor gardener.

Get The Right Size Pot For Your Plant

Potted plants need a pot that is at least 6 inches deep. The size of the pot should be about 1-2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball to allow for some growth and expansion.

Make sure there’s at least one inch of soil covering the root ball, as this will prevent your plant from becoming dehydrated or getting too much sun exposure.

Table: Choosing the Right Size Pot for Your Plant

Plant Type	Recommended Pot Size	Recommended Brands
Small Plants	4-6 inches in diameter	Peach & Pebble, Classic Home and Garden, and Ceramic Japan
Medium Plants	8-10 inches in diameter	Tusco, Arcadia Garden Products, and Fiskars
Large Plants	12-14 inches in diameter for each growth stage	Southern Patio, Root Pouch, and Akro-Mills
Fruit Trees	Depends on the type of tree and expected growth	New England Pottery, Mayne, and Algreen Garden
Hanging Plants	8-12 inches in length (for indoor hanging plants)	EllyDécor, Umbra, and Keter

This table provides information on the recommended pot sizes for different types of plants, including small, medium, large, fruit trees, and hanging plants. It also suggests some popular brand names for pots that are well-suited for each plant size and type.

Repot Your Plants Every Year Or Two

It’s important to repot plants every so often. The best way to know when to repot your plant is to look at the roots. If they are growing sideways out of the pot or circling around the inside of it, it’s time to get a new one.

You can also tell by how much soil has been used up in your current container—if there’s not enough left over for a new one, then you should probably get a new pot anyway!

Once you’ve chosen an appropriate size and shape of container, fill it halfway with moistened potting soil (not garden soil) and place your plant into that hole carefully so as not to damage any roots or break off any leaves along its stem.

Then fill up any remaining space with more moistened potting soil until there is just an inch left at the top where water can collect when watering from above each day; this will help keep everything hydrated properly no matter whether there are holes throughout those sides like some types have or none at all like others do instead

Looking for some inspiration for easy indoor gardening ideas? Our article on easy indoor gardening ideas is full of creative and simple ways to transform your home with plants.

Make Sure Your Plants Have Room To Grow

When you’re selecting a pot for your plant, make sure it has enough space for the roots to grow. If you want to keep your plants growing past the size of their container, get a bigger pot!

If you don’t want to repot your plant, don’t worry about making sure it stays small forever—some plants are naturally small and won’t grow very big no matter how much space they have.

Add Fertilizer Or Compost To Boost Nutrients

Fertilizer is a must. It’s important to help your plants grow and stay healthy. You can use either organic or chemical fertilizer, but organic fertilizer is better because it contains nutrients that boost the soil quality, while chemical fertilizers are made from chemicals which may be harmful or even poisonous to plants and humans.

Fertilizer comes in different forms: liquid, granular (dry), and slow-release tablets. There are many types of fertilizer available on the market today; some are better than others depending on what kind of plants you have in your container garden. Some types include:

Tomato food – This type of fertilizer provides extra phosphorus for tomatoes (and other plants with high root requirements).

Fruit tree food – Fruits need potassium more than any other nutrient in order to grow properly; this is why fruit trees should be fed with fruit tree food at least twice per year during the growing season before harvest time arrives.

Citrus food – Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapefruits require large amounts of potassium during their development process due to their acidic nature!

There are so many reasons why container gardening is the future of gardening. From its low cost to its high yield, container gardening is a great option for anyone interested in growing their own food or flowers. Check out our article on 15 reasons why container gardening is the future of gardening to learn more about the benefits of container gardening.

Conclusion

Container gardening has been around for a long time, but it’s still one of the most popular ways to grow food.

Container gardening allows you to grow your own produce even if you don’t have much space or a green thumb. With these tips, you can take your container garden from ordinary to extraordinary!

FAQs

What is container gardening?

Container gardening is a type of gardening where plants are grown in containers instead of directly in the ground. Containers can be made of different materials, such as plastic, clay, or metal, and are available in various sizes and shapes.

What are the benefits of container gardening?

Container gardening allows people to grow plants in small spaces and is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of yard space. It also allows gardeners to control soil quality, water, and nutrients more easily.

What types of plants can be grown in containers?

Almost any type of plant can be grown in a container, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. The size of the container will determine what can be grown, but many plants can thrive in smaller containers.

How do I choose the right container for my plants?

The right container depends on the type of plant, as well as the growing conditions. Ensure that the container has plenty of drainage holes and is deep enough for the roots to grow. Additionally, choose a container made of a material that will not deteriorate over time.

What are some container gardening tips for beginners?

Some container gardening tips for beginners include using the right soil mix, providing adequate drainage, and ensuring plants get the right amount of sunlight and water. Additionally, ensuring containers receive regular maintenance can help plants remain healthy and productive.

Hellen James

I’m Hellen James, and I’m an urban farmer and blogger. I’ve been growing food in my backyard for years, and I love sharing what I’ve learned with other people who want to start farming in their own yards.