How To Create A Stunning Container Garden In 15 Easy Steps

Container gardening is a great way to get your green thumb out and grow some fun plants. It’s also an easy way to add a little color and life to your house or apartment. 

But if you’re new to planting in containers, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this guide for creating the perfect container garden for beginners! 

We’ll show you how in just 15 steps:

Select A Container

Selecting the right container for your plants is important. Not only does it need to be large enough for your plant, but it also needs to be well-draining and easy to move, clean and maintain.

There are many things you can use as a container, but here are some suggestions:

Containers with drainage holes in the bottom are best since they allow for quick drainage and prevent root rot. An alternative would be an attractive pot with a hole cut out of the bottom so that water drains easily from the bottom of the pot without having to remove it from its location or turn it upside down. 

This method works well if you don’t want to drill holes in your pots or terracotta pots used in outdoor planting areas because they may crack due to freezing temperatures during winter months when not being used indoors where temperatures tend not be as cold as outdoors (if using outside).

You should avoid using containers that won’t let air flow freely through them because this will make them harder grow healthy plants by providing less oxygen which prevents roots from flourishing properly due to lack of fresh oxygen entering into soil found inside containers themselves (as opposed to open spaces like lawns where grass grows).

Line The Container

Next, you’ll need to line the container with a plastic liner. This will keep your soil from falling through the holes in your container and making a mess. 

If you are using an old wheelbarrow that has been repurposed into a planter, this step will be unnecessary because there will not be any holes in the bottom of your container.

Next, fill with potting mix or soil. Potting mix is specially formulated for growing plants indoors, while regular garden soil can be used as well but may require additional amendments (such as compost) to help keep it moist and healthy over time. 

Finally, top off with another layer of potting mix or compost before planting!

Fill The Container With Soil And Fertilizer

This is the step where you add soil and fertilizer to your container. You can use any potting soil, but I recommend using a high quality one that contains organic matter, like Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix.

If your container is smaller than 12 inches (which is most of them), you can stop here. If it’s larger, add more fertilizer to the soil the amount varies depending on the type of vegetable or flower you’re growing. 

For vegetables, follow the directions on whatever package of fertilizer you purchase; for flowers, use about 1/4 cup per gallon of water in your watering can (but keep in mind that this will reduce as your plant grows).

Add Moisture Control Soil

Now that you’ve chosen your container and planted the seeds, it’s time to add the soil. The best choice for container gardens is a mix that drains well so excess water can quickly leave the pot. It should also retain moisture, but not too much the roots need some access to oxygen as well. 

A good option is one containing peat moss, vermiculite or perlite (also known as volcanic glass).

The easiest way to create this mixture is by combining equal parts of soil and each of these ingredients in a bucket or other large container.

Choose Plants To Fit Your Location

The first step to creating a stunning container garden is to choose plants that are suited to your environment. Plants should be selected based on climate, soil quality, light conditions and water requirements.

It’s important to note that every region has its own unique weather patterns and environmental factors. 

For example, if you live in the northern United States or Canada then it may not be feasible for you to grow tropical plants like bananas or papayas because they require warm temperatures all year round (or at least during part of the year). 

However if you’re willing do some research then there are many types of bananas available which will grow well in colder climates as long as they get enough sunlight throughout the day.

Determine The Right Ratio Of Placements

Next, you’ll want to determine how many plants you need and where they should go. Here are some options:

Plant in groups. This is a common way to arrange your containers, but it’s not the only way! You could also plant in rows or spirals or even create a spiral pattern with your plants.

Use an odd number of pots one, three or five for the most harmonious design. A garden with too many pots can look messy and cluttered. 

Plants can be grouped around certain focal points within the container garden, such as a statue or birdbath at their center that acts as a landmark for people strolling through it on their way from one part of an outdoor living space (like patio furniture) towards another (like an outdoor kitchen).

Consider Planting Herbs In Your Garden

Herbs are easy to grow and often drought-tolerant. They’re decorative, too, and don’t require much maintenance. Herbs add an aromatic touch to your garden that can help create a pleasing landscape in any space.

To get started with herbs:

Select a good location for your herb garden that gets at least six hours of full sunlight each day.

Test the soil pH by taking a sample of soil to your local nursery or gardening center and having it tested for you (usually free). 

If you already have some plants growing in the area you wish to establish your new herb garden, dig up a small piece of soil from around those plants’ roots and test it as well. 

If either sample tests acidic (pH below 7), add lime according to directions on the package until you reach neutral pH (7). Once this is done thoroughly mix half peat moss with half topsoil or composted manure into each hole before back-filling it with newly amended soil.

Add An Accent Piece

The focal point of your garden should be a statue or fountain, preferably one that’s taller than you are. It adds interest to your garden as well as height, and can also be used to add color and texture.

Cover The Soil With Mulch

Cover the soil with mulch. Mulch will help retain moisture in the soil and keep it cooler, as well as controlling weeds that are trying to grow through the soil. 

There are many different types of mulch you can choose from: bark, wood chips, gravel or stone chips, grass clippings, wheat straw and more!

You will want to make sure your container is large enough for whatever type of plant you choose; a general rule is two square feet per plant (so if you want two tomato plants in one container then make sure it’s at least 4 square feet).

Water Your Stunning Container Garden Daily

Watering your stunning container garden is an important part of gardening, but it is also one of the most difficult parts. When to water and how much to water depends on the plant, the soil and the weather. 

Here are a few tips for watering your garden:

Water thoroughly when it’s hot outside and there isn’t any rain in sight for at least a week (two weeks if you live in a dry area). If you don’t have a hose that can reach all of your plants from one central location, use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems instead.

Make sure that each plant has sufficient drainage if not, add some gravel around their roots for better drainage. 

This will help prevent root rot or fungal diseases from occurring due to too much standing water in your container garden (which can happen if it rains often).

Continually Fertilize Your Plants

Although you’ll want to fertilize your plants at the beginning of their growth, you’ll also need to continue providing them with nutrients. 

The frequency and amount of food each plant requires will vary, as will what type of fertilizer is best for it. 

For example, if you have perennials like rosebushes or lilacs in your container garden, their soil should be replenished every six months. Other annuals may only require once-a-year watering (depending on the weather).

In general though:

Use a balanced fertilizer formulated for use on container plants. Read the label carefully so that you understand how much water per gallon to mix into your soil before planting usually between one teaspoon and one tablespoon per gallon is sufficient and stick with this ratio throughout the growing season;

Apply liquid fertilizer every other week during peak growing periods;

Prune Your Plants Regularly

If you have time, it’s good to prune your container plants regularly. This will help them stay healthy and look their best.

First, prune plants that are getting too big for their containers. You can also prune them if they are leaning over the edge of the container and looking messy or untidy.

Second, prune some of the tallest stems (if there are any) so that they don’t grow above the rim of your pot/container. 

This will allow more sun to reach other parts of your plant and give it more room to grow in its designated space.

Third, if you have several different types of plants growing together in one container, you may need to trim some back so that they don’t get tangled up with each other or block light from reaching other parts of your garden.

Finally – even though it may seem counterintuitive – sometimes you should trim off leaves from tall stems; this allows more sun onto shorter stems!

Use A Mist Sprayer On Hot Days

Mist sprayers use less water and are better for the environment than sprinklers. They also mist, rather than soak, the soil which is better for your plants as it encourages deep root growth and helps to keep the soil moist without wetting down leaves that could be damaged by moisture until they dry off again later.

Conclusion

Don’t worry about making mistakes. The most important thing is to have fun with the process and enjoy being outdoors. 

You’ll find that a stunning container garden can give you an amazing amount of pleasure, which will make it worth all of your efforts!