Although I’ve lived in my apartment for more than a decade, my home’s outdoor space has never been used to its full potential. That is until this year, when I decided to take on the challenge of growing my own vegetables and herbs right outside my kitchen window.
Though container gardening can seem like an intimidating project at first especially if you’re not used to tending plants there are plenty of ways to get started with minimal effort or experience. In fact, with just a little know-how and some basic supplies from your local hardware store, anyone can grow their own herbs and veggies at home!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Expert tips for a flourishing container garden |
| How to optimize container gardening for small spaces |
| Useful tips for growing a beautiful container garden |
| Why container gardening is becoming increasingly popular |
| Step-by-step guide for creating a stunning container garden |
Understand The Root System
The root system of a plant is its most important part, because that’s where all the magic happens. The roots anchor the plant in place and absorb water, nutrients, and minerals to feed the rest of your plants’ body.
Most importantly, they’re what makes sure that your plants get enough water—without them plants will wither away quickly.
The root system grows out of the bottom end of a container or pot and expands outward as much as possible (usually 2 inches away from either side), but sometimes it can be even wider than that!
Depending on how big your container is, you may find yourself needing more than one pot per plant because its roots need room to spread out without running into other ones or being unable to reach their favorite spot under sunlight rays nearby.
Looking to start container gardening but have limited outdoor space? Then check out our ultimate guide to container gardening for small spaces, where we cover everything you need to know to start your own container garden!
Choose The Right Container
The first step to cultivating a beautiful, flourishing container garden is to choose the right container for your plant. A good rule of thumb when choosing a container is to make sure that it’s large enough to support the plant and all its future growth.
To ensure that your plants are well-supported, look for containers that have drainage holes in the bottom; this allows excess water from watering or rainwater runoff to drain away from the roots of your plants.
Additionally, be sure to select a material that can withstand exposure outdoors without deteriorating too quickly (or at all).
For example, if you live in an area with extreme heat or humidity, metal or plastic may not be ideal choices because they tend not last long under hot sun and frequent rainfall; instead try selecting ceramic or terracotta pots made from porous materials like clay (or even wood!) which will allow air circulation through their surface yet still retain some moisture for plant growth.
Table: Recommended Containers for Container Gardening
| Container Type | Brand/Manufacturers |
|---|---|
| Ceramic Pots | Bloomingville, Cosmoliving by Cosmopolitan |
| Fabric Grow Bags | Smart Pots, Vivosun |
| Self-Watering Containers | Lechuza, Glowpear |
| Raised Beds | Greenes Fence, Keter |
| Hanging Baskets | CobraCo, Worth Garden |
Pick Potting Soil
Potting soil should:
- be light and fluffy, not heavy with mud or clay. If it feels like a brick when you pick it up, don’t use it!
- be free of rocks, debris and small pebbles that can poke through the drainage holes in your containers and prevent water from reaching plant roots.
- be free of weeds – there’s nothing worse than a weed popping up in an otherwise beautiful garden. Buy a bag of potting soil that contains weed-and-insect-free ingredients such as peat moss (a major source of decomposition material) rather than just plain soil or composted manure if possible.
- contain no insects (because they will survive the winter season if they get into your container!).
Want to take your container gardening skills to the next level? Check out these 10 container gardening tips that will help you optimize your garden’s growth, health, and beauty!
Know How Much Direct Sunlight You Need
The amount of sunlight a plant needs depends on its type and the season. Plants need more sunlight in spring and summer, when they’re growing fast. In fall and winter, when plants are growing more slowly or not at all, you can reduce how much light your plants receive by placing them in partial shade (2 hours of sun) or even full shade (4 hours of sun).
Here’s what you need to know about container gardening:
Table: Recommended Plants for Different Levels of Sunlight Exposure
| Sunlight Exposure | Recommended Plants |
|---|---|
| Full Sun | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, marigolds |
| Partial Sun | Lettuce, spinach, kale, chives, parsley |
| Shade | Ferns, hostas, impatiens, begonias, coleus |
Knowing how much direct sunlight your plants need is essential for their growth and survival. This table provides recommendations for different levels of sunlight exposure, along with specific plant recommendations for each level.
For full sun exposure, heat-loving plants such as tomatoes and peppers thrive. For partial sun exposure, leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach can grow well. For shade, ferns and flowering plants such as impatiens and begonias can add color and texture to your garden.
Avoid Over-Watering
One of the most basic yet important things to remember when you are growing your own plants is that they require water, but too much or too little can be a disaster. To avoid overwatering your plants, check the soil before watering them by sticking your finger into it and feeling for moisture. If there’s enough moisture, leave it alone; if not, add some—but don’t drown them!
It may also help to use a watering can instead of just soaking the soil directly with water from a faucet. This will give you more control over how much water gets applied to each plant so that they aren’t being drowned or lacking any at all.
New to container gardening and feeling a bit lost? Our beginner’s guide to container gardening tips and tricks has got you covered. From planning and potting to watering and fertilizing, we’ll walk you through the basics!
Save Water With Mulch
Mulch can be made of many different materials, such as straw or pine needles. It is often used to control weeds and prevent erosion in vegetable gardens. The thickness and type of mulch applied will determine its effectiveness at retaining moisture in the soil, controlling weeds and preventing erosion.
Plant In Layers
Planting in layers is a great way to pack more plants into a container. It also helps with drainage and nutrient competition, which is why we recommend this method for all of our container gardeners!
Plants that grow in the ground can grow up to three times faster than plants in containers. So if you want to maximize your space and grow your own food as efficiently as possible, then planting in layers will make all the difference.
Why is container gardening becoming increasingly popular? Learn about the many benefits of container gardening by checking out our post on 15 reasons why container gardening is the future of gardening!
Use Fertilizer Sparingly
Fertilizer is an important component of a flourishing container garden. However, it’s important to use fertilizer sparingly, as too much can burn or scorch your plant’s roots.
It’s also not recommended to fertilize before the seedlings have fully emerged from their seed pods and started growing new leaves—if you do this too early on, you’ll risk burning the tender roots of your newly sprouted plants.
If you choose to fertilize your container plants with a balanced fertilizer (like our favorite Miracle-Gro Garden Soil), it’s best to apply it once per month during the spring through fall months (as needed). In winter months, when growth slows down significantly for most plants, we recommend skipping any additional applications of fertilizer until springtime kicks back in again and plants begin growing again at full speed.
Feed Your Plants With Food Scraps (Optional)
There is an easy way to recycle your kitchen scraps and feed your plants at the same time. Composting is a great way to turn your food waste into rich soil for the garden or lawn.
If you want to get started with composting, it can be as simple as piling up leaves and grass clippings in a corner of your yard until they decompose, or buying a ready-made kit that comes with instructions on how to make your own compost bin out of recycled materials.
Composting is so beneficial because it saves money—compost can be used instead of purchased fertilizer—and keeps more trash out of landfills by turning household waste into something useful. It also reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers that harm our environment when they leach into groundwater supplies (a problem known as “groundwater contamination”).
Ready to create a stunning container garden that will impress all your visitors? Check out our post on how to create a stunning container garden in 15 easy steps for the ultimate guide on how to design and decorate a container garden that is both beautiful and practical.
Recycle Containers And Seeds
Use containers that are already in your home. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start small with one or two plants and then gradually expand as you gain more experience. In the meantime, your kitchen is full of potential planting pots: jars and cans that can be used as planters; glass bowls and vases; even empty cups from takeout coffee shops!
Use seeds from plants you have purchased or grown before. Many gardeners use leftover seeds from their current crops for the next season—but if those aren’t available to you, don’t panic! You can buy new ones at any nursery or hardware store, or order them online (just make sure they’re labeled “suitable for container gardening”).
Stock Up On Other Supplies Before Planting Time
If you’re new to container gardening, here’s a checklist of supplies to buy before planting time:
Purchase the right size container for your plants. If you want to grow dwarf fruit trees and other small plants, choose a pot that is at least 10 inches deep; if you want to grow tomatoes or peppers, go for a 12-inch pot.
Buy potting soil with composted bark in it for easier drainage. This kind of soil also contains more nutrients than regular garden dirt does, which makes it ideal for growing flowers and vegetables.
Choose the right kind of seeds or seedlings—and don’t forget to mark them so they aren’t accidentally planted out of season!
For example, carrots can be sown as late as July; lettuce shouldn’t be planted until early spring because it doesn’t like hot weather very much (it’ll get bitter). Tomatoes should be planted in pots during March; squashes need several weeks longer than that before they will begin producing fruits on their vines (but if you live somewhere where summers are short but warm then this won’t matter).
Conclusion
With these tips, you’ll be ready to start your container garden. There is a lot of information to digest and you may need a few trial-and-error attempts before getting everything right. But with the right tools, knowledge and dedication, your plants will thrive!
Further Reading
If you enjoyed reading this article and are looking for more information on container gardening, check out these useful resources:
Secrets of Successful Container Vegetable Gardening: Learn about key principles and techniques that can help you grow healthy and delicious vegetable plants in containers.
10 Container Garden Tips for Beginners: Discover useful tips and tricks that can help you get started with container gardening and avoid common mistakes.
Tips for Beautiful Garden Containers: Get inspired with a range of ideas and strategies for designing and planting stunning container gardens.
FAQs
What is container gardening?
Container gardening is a type of gardening that involves growing plants in containers instead of in the ground. Containers can range from pots and planter boxes to buckets and even old containers that have been repurposed.
What are the benefits of container gardening?
Container gardening is a great way to enjoy gardening on a smaller scale and is especially well-suited for urban and small-space dwellers. It also allows for greater flexibility in terms of plant selection and positioning, and can be used to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.
What types of plants can be grown in containers?
A wide variety of plants can be grown in containers, including flowers, herbs, vegetables, and even small trees and shrubs. However, the type of plant you choose will depend on several factors, including the size of the container and the amount of sunlight and water it receives.
What are some tips for starting a container garden?
To start a container garden, first choose your container and soil. Then, select your plants and decide on their placement. Be sure to water and fertilize your plants regularly, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
Can container gardens be moved around?
Yes, one of the advantages of container gardening is that containers can be easily moved around to different locations, allowing for greater flexibility in terms of plant positioning and access to sunlight.
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.