Gardening Tips Pro » Container Gardening

59-Winter Container Gardening

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:03:02 +0000

Most peoples? biggest complaint about the cold winter months, besides the frigid temperatures, is that the overall appearance is drab and depressing. Despite the colorful holiday displays, November through February are truly uninspiring in terms of natural color and plant life. Believe it or not, it is possible to display a lovely winter garden. Winter container gardening is a beautiful accent to the front of a home or an adornment on a patio or deck. All you need is to know some of the basics to take advantage of this unique growing season.

In most container gardening any type of container you wish to use is perfect. Winter container gardening containers need to be handled a little differently. You need to choose a pot that is frost proof. Terra cotta and ceramic aren?t usually good choices as both are prone to crumble in extremely cold conditions. Wood, metal, and resin pots work beautifully for this type of gardening. Like with any container, make sure it has a drainage hole in the bottom.

Once you have your temperature appropriate container ready to go it?s time to add the soil. Choose a soil mix that contains sphagnum moss and peat. Due to the dry conditions of winter, extra moisture is a must in winter container gardening. Many experts also recommend adding water retaining polymer granules to the soil mix. Fill the soil to the top of the container and get ready to plant.

Here comes the truly inspiring part. Planting winter friendly plants isn?t as difficult as it sounds. Use an ornamental cabbage as the focal point of the display. The next step is to place smaller plants around the cabbage. Variegated sage looks beautiful as does acorus grass and ornamental chard. Your local nursery will probably carry these plants starting in the fall months. Pansies are a lovely addition and do quite well in winter container gardening. They are known for their ability to bounce back after a hard freeze and add much needed color to the display. Ivy is a good plant to use for its graceful effect. It softens the look of the container by trailing elegantly over the sides.

Winter container gardening is well worth the time and effort that goes into it. It adds a splash of color in an otherwise drab environment and serves as a reminder to all that see it, that spring will eventually be here. The ornamental cabbage and chard can even be a part of your holiday table decorations. Winter gardening adds much needed warmth and appeal to the cold winter months.

56-Florida Container Gardening

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:03:02 +0000

Those lucky enough to live in the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida already know they are fortunate to enjoy a warm climate year round. This state is known for its delicious oranges and exotic flowers. Since many residents of Florida are retirees, a growing trend is to enjoy the benefits of Florida container gardening. Due to the lovely climate and long, if not indefinite growing season, this hobby is something gardeners can participate in all year and be creative with their choice of containers and plants.

There are a few hints and tips that will help ensure the success of a Florida container gardening experience. The pots are the first step in beginning your experiment. Choose containers that accent your home and are appealing to you. The size only matters in relation to the size or number of plants you plan to put in it. Containers should also have or be able to be modified for drainage holes. Prepare only the number of pots that you feel you have the time to care for.

Florida?s warm weather gives the container gardener a lot of different choices in plants. You could design a beautiful display of succulents to enhance your Florida container gardening or even create a unique arrangement of cacti. The choice is really up to the individual. Some things to keep in mind when designing your display are to plant your flowers close together for a cohesive look and put plants with similar needs in the same pot. They are easier to take care of this way and you aren?t left wondering why some plants are thriving and others are dying.

Mother Nature is sure to help out with the watering chores, but you will need to help out too. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if the soil is dry then it is time to water. Most plants like a steady stream of water as opposed to a deluge. Water the container until there is a steady stream of water coming from the drainage holes. That way you can be assured that the entire pot as been sufficiently watered. If you have cacti or succulents in your Florida container gardening pot, watering will be needed less often as those plants store water in their leaves.

Florida container gardening is a great way to take advantage of the beneficial growing season in the Deep South. The wide variety of plants that will grow in that climate makes sure you will never be bored with the available selection of exotic plants to choose from.

42-Container Vegetable Gardening

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:03:02 +0000

There are times when planting your own vegetables is almost impossible due to poor climate, inadequate space, or physical obstacles that make it difficult to reach the ground. But if having home grown, healthful vegetables is important to you, the best way to accomplish your goal is to grow your produce using the container vegetable gardening method. Anywhere from a patio or porch to window boxes and doorsteps can be perfect spots for placing containers ready to yield a terrific harvest for you and your family.

The first step in container vegetable gardening is to determine where you want to place your container garden. Try to choose a spot that gets roughly five hours of direct sunlight a day. Also keep in mind any little hands that may want to explore your plants.

The next thing to decide is what types of vegetables you want to grow. That will dictate the container sizes. Anything that will grow in your region in a regular vegetable patch will do just fine using the container vegetable gardening method. A lot of success has been found growing squash, lettuce, and eggplant in containers. Other success stories include beans, onions, and tomatoes. Cucumbers and pole beans can do very well too, just be sure to have the space they need since they are very vine like plants. If you want, many seed catalogs offer mini versions of many of the popular vegetables.

Moving on to containers for your vegetable garden. Many people have discovered that all types of containers work very well for this type of gardening. Some of the more inventive options have been gallon cans, old tubs, and bushel baskets. Of course, the standard plastic or ceramic pots will take care of your container vegetable gardening needs as well. For the smaller vegetables like green onion and herbs, pots that are 6-10 inches will work nicely. For the larger plants, tomatoes and eggplant being part of this group, a pot that is around the size of a 5-gallon bucket is a good choice. Whichever size pot you decide you need and use make sure it has adequate drainage in the bottom.

Now that your plants are planted and sprouting up through the soil be sure to keep a close eye on them. Plants can be the targets of bugs and disease just like in a regular vegetable patch. Container vegetable gardening is easier to check on due its close proximity to the house. If you see any signs of damage from bugs or disease, pick a safe insecticide and fungicide to protect your vegetables from further damage.

Keeping these tips in mind will almost certainly assure you of a bumper crop of your favorite vegetables come harvest time, all without needing a large yard to grow them. Container vegetable gardening makes it all possible.

51-Container Gardening Design

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:03:01 +0000

For many people gardening is therapeutic and energizing. Avid gardeners often remark that the satisfaction they get from growing their own colorful flowers or healthy vegetables is worth any work involved. Gardening is a work of art. The profusion of colors and heights create a delightful display. In container gardening design the gardener has even more choice in the appearance of their creation due to the use of the container itself. The pot becomes part of the masterpiece. The great thing is that almost any container will work for this type of project.

The classic pot choices in container gardening design, like terra cotta and plastic pots are fine to use, but other more creative options create a more unique design. Many container gardeners have used baskets with a plastic liner or wooden crates to get the visual interest they want. Other choices include hollow logs or those decorative tins that popcorn comes in during the holidays. Any container can be used for visual effect. The only requirement is that it can be adapted to provide drainage holes.

The plants you decide to use in your container gardening design are truly the essential part of the design. You will want to use flowers with similar needs. In other words, they should all need roughly the same amount of sun, water, and fertilizer. As with any design, the flowers should have varying heights and colors. A trailing plant looks lovely draping over the side of the chosen container. It is also a good idea to use an odd number of plants. The use of an even number tends to look too uniform. Vegetable gardens can be used for an eye pleasing display as well. The same design theories apply here too. For a profusion of color in your garden look for variegated lettuces and peppers.

It is important in container garden design to match the plants to the container. For example, a display of spiky plants, like ornamental grass would not necessarily look right in an old fashioned wood washtub, but traditional favorites like impatiens and delphiniums would look beautiful. Don?t forget to consider the idea of landscaping rocks or stones. They can add a cohesive element to the entire design. They also help to stabilize the plants in their new home.

Container gardening design is only limited by the imagination of the gardener. A little thought and planning can produce a magnificent display for any home whether it is an apartment, condo, or a stunning decoration on the porch of a house. Be creative with the container, find appropriate plants, and get ready to receive your compliments.

49-Tomato Gardening Container

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:03:01 +0000

There are few vegetables or, in this case, fruit with the mass appeal of tomatoes. They are incredibly versatile and can be used for salads, Italian dishes, and a wealth of other culinary masterpieces. Unfortunately, in some areas, tomatoes are being priced at over $3 a pound. The up side is that everyone, regardless of their available space can grow their own healthy, delicious tomatoes by planting them in a tomato gardening container.

All that is really necessary to grow your own tomatoes is a sunny climate. Of course there are a few other odds and ends that will make it easier. You will need containers. Five gallon sized pots work well. For best results plant one tomato plant per container. You will also need the tomato seeds or seedlings, soil, and wooden stakes to hold the plants up when they grow too tall. String is helpful for attaching the stalks to the stakes. You may find fertilizer and a plastic tray for drainage to be useful as well. Drainage is important in your choice of tomato gardening container.

Certain types of tomato plants seem to grow better in containers than others. Many experienced growers of container tomatoes suggest using the bush varieties of plants. Cherry tomatoes are popular because of their smaller size, but don?t let that stop you from experimenting with the full sized versions. Early Girl and Celebrity do well with tomato gardening container use, as do Sweet 100s and Christmas Grape. Decide what size of tomato you want to grow and what purpose you want them for. For example, if you were planning to use your tomatoes primarily in salads, cherry or grape varieties would be an excellent choice.

Of course sufficient sunlight is vital with any type of plant. Before planting your tomatoes check the area you want to place your containers for roughly 4-6 hours of sun. Sunlight promotes good, steady growth. The right balance of water and sunlight is crucial for tomato gardening container success.

With all of the recent attention given to pesticide use in the media, growing your own tomatoes is one way to ensure you know exactly what you are getting in your produce. It is also economical and convenient. There won?t be any more need for a trip to the store because you forgot tomatoes. The containers don?t take up a lot of space and only one tomato plant can yield all the produce one family needs. The low cost of a tomato gardening container is minimal when compared to the high price of tomatoes in a grocery store. What are you waiting for? Pick your favorite tomato, select a container, and enjoy the benefits of tomato container gardening.

48-Herb Container Gardening

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:03:02 +0000

Few things enhance the flavor of a home cooked meal like fresh herbs. Herbs add lots of full flavor without the additional of unhealthy fats and there is no discounting that intense flavor that comes from herbs. Spices and herbs are notoriously high priced in the grocery stores. There isn?t much that can be done about the price of spices, but you can avoid the high prices and low quality of store bought herbs by herb container gardening. After learning a few tips and tricks you?ll be using the lush flavor of fresh herbs in all of your favorite dishes.

Choosing the correct containers for your herb garden is simple. They don?t need to be large and the common plastic pots will work beautifully. You can always use small terra cotta pots or ceramic containers for a more finished look. While the kind of pot isn?t important, the drainage is. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes. Herbs don?t like to sit in water and that is the fastest way to damage or kill your plants. A coffee filter in the bottom of the container is a good way to stop any soil loss through watering. Herb container gardening is easy when you use caution in watering your plants.

The best types of herbs to grow are your favorite herbs. In other words grow what you love to eat. For the first time herb container gardening experiment there are some stand bys that the experts suggest. Chives, rosemary, and oregano are good choices for a first attempt. They grow more slowly than other options and are relatively small in size. Basil, thyme, and sage fall into this category as well.

You can purchase your herbs either in seed form or small seedlings. The choice is yours and remember to expose your new plants to the outside slowly. It?s a great idea to keep the new plants on a porch, protected from the elements for a few days before moving them to their final growing spot.

Soil is important for all growing things and herbs are no exception. You want to choose a light soil with the addition of vermiculite for drainage. Herbs aren?t picky, but they do appreciate the proper soil for growth in herb container gardening.

Harvesting your fresh herbs is a simple process as well. Most people harvest by taking a few pinches at a time as needed for cooking. The plants will need to be clipped back at some point though. You can freeze, dry, or share your herbs with friends or family. Fresh herbs make an excellent gift for the budding chef in your life.

Herb container gardening is a sure way to add some flavor to your life.

58-Container Gardening Ideas

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:03:02 +0000

Everyone likes for their home to be appealing to visitors and occupants alike. Nothing adds visual appeal like beautiful plants delighting the eye and maybe hiding some imperfections. An excellent way to use plants in decorating is in containers. Since they are portable they can be placed anywhere you may want a little color. This form of gardening is simple and can be used for the outside as well as the inside of the house. All you really need to create stunning masterpieces in a few container gardening ideas.

Having a bouquet of fresh cut flowers on a table is certainly not a new idea. However changing it up a bit and placing small containers of live plants on the table is a unique spin. Keep the pots small and the plants short. Nothing is more irritating than not being able to see your dining companions due to overdone arrangements. This is one of those container gardening ideas that aren?t often seen, but add a lot of character to a room. Just be sure to choose pots that compliment your d?cor.

Many people are stuck on the idea that gardens are to be placed on the ground level. The beauty of container gardening is that you can choose to draw the visual interest to a higher level. Hanging baskets are one option, but consider a tower or wooden rack to place plants higher on a patio or deck. You will also need to be able to reach the plant containers with a hose as using a watering can will be difficult at that height. Placing or hanging your tall arrangements in the vicinity of a plot flowerbed for a uniform look is another one of those good container gardening ideas.

If the area you want to beautify doesn?t get a lot of sun, shade loving plants may be just what you need. Petunias and Begonias are good options for spots like doorways overhung with a porch roof. The important thing to remember when framing in a front doorway is to think big. Use big containers filled with lots of colorful flowers. Choosing plants with gorgeous foliage is another one of the great container gardening ideas to consider with front door designs. That way after the blooms are gone, you will still have an impressive display.

There are many resources for helpful, useful container gardening ideas. The Internet, books, and your neighborhood green house are all excellent places to go for the latest information in this growing trend. Container gardening is a creative hobby that will add a lot of color and beauty to your home.

57-Container Gardening Drainage

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:03:01 +0000

Container gardening is a great method to use for saving space, limiting a lot of maintenance, and still reaping the benefits of a garden. Whether it is a vegetable container or one with a stunning arrangement of flowers, container gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby. One of the biggest mistakes new container gardeners make is not providing adequate drainage for their plants. Container gardening drainage is a vital, important aspect of successful gardening. Without it, vegetable plants won?t produce as much and flowering plants may not survive at all.

It is true that almost anything can be used as a container for planting. The standard plastic pots usually can be bought with drainage holes already added. But for a more unique look, container gardeners have gotten creative and used items like old boots, hollow logs, and galvanized buckets and tubs as planters. These items and a host of others work perfectly well as long as they are equipped with drainage holes. Many experts recommend putting drainage holes in the bottom of the pot or container as well on the sides. By all means, have fun with your choice of container, after all it is supposed to be fun, but supply proper drainage for your plants. Container gardening drainage is one of the most important factors in successful gardening.

The physical placement of the pot is vital to proper container gardening drainage as well. In order for the container to drain well it is a good idea to place the whole arrangement on blocks or bricks to give the water a place to drain. If the planter container is left on the ground or flat surface the water pools at the bottom and root rot is more likely.

The tools you will need to make container gardening drainage holes depends on what the container actually is. If it is made of metal the best option is to use a drill to make the holes. In the case of a thin metal, like aluminum, it may be faster and simpler to make the holes using a punch of some kind. Drills also work well with wood containers and, if used carefully, ceramic pots. Your container choice was creative; it only stands to reason that the method you use to make drainage holes may have to be as well.

It can?t be stated enough that the one important key to container gardening is to provide sufficient drainage for your plants. Root rot and over watering is a sure way to ruin even the most well thought out plant display. Adequate container gardening drainage almost guarantees the garden of your dreams every time.

49-Tomato Gardening Container

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:03:01 +0000

53-Container Gardening Supply

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:03:01 +0000

To participate in any hobby, the first thing you have to have is the necessary supply. Container gardening is no exception. Fortunately there are many places to find an adequate collection of container gardening supply. Everything from the containers themselves, through the proper soil and fertilizers, to the plants are available in a number of different places, sold by reputable companies.

Neighborhood green houses and nurseries are good places to start your container gardening supply search. One benefit to choosing local places is that they are knowledgeable about the climate, growing season, and other important details about your area. These people know what they are talking about because many of them grow their own gardens and know what works well and what doesn?t. Another advantage is that you can see the supplies up close and personal and eliminate the surprise of an item that looked different in the catalog or online. Local, small gardening stores are always interested in going the extra mile for their customers and quality reflects that.

If local green houses are in short supply in your area, the larger national chains, like Lowe?s and Home Depot are another option for container gardening supply. Like with smaller stores, employees are often well trained in their specific departments and have first hand knowledge of gardening. Their selection of merchandise usually has more to choose from and can be specially ordered if necessary. These stores are also stocked with how to books and creative ideas for container gardening.

Like everything else, container gardening supply sources can be found on the Internet. There are many gardening companies that maintain websites for their clients. Along with the supplies themselves they also offer advice articles and pictures of container gardening examples. Some sites specialize in plant gifts for special occasions and offer excellent shipping options on both gardening supplies and gift giving. These websites are also adept at providing hard to find items as they are independently owned and have the freedom to stock as they wish. An Internet search for ?container gardening supply? will result in all the choices a container gardener could wish for.

Not knowing where to find your container gardening supply source is no excuse for delaying your gardening experiment. There is a wealth of information concerning supplies everywhere from the local phone book to the international Internet. Check out those options and don?t forget that active gardening friends and family are excellent sources for places to get the best container gardening supplies. A little bit of research is all it takes to find the high quality products you need.

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