Garden of a Victorian English house, UK. Gravel and oak sleeper raised beds with flowers and vegetables

Space can be at a premium, particularly nowadays when apartments and condos are so common. An easy solution for those wanting to grow at least a few essential vegetables and herbs is to grow in containers. Maybe you don’t have enough opportunity to maintain a huge vegetable garden, or you have a physical condition that prevents you bending down or using the typical gardening tools. Whatever the reason, container gardening can be a excellent way to create some of your natural food requirements.

Container Gardening Benefits

While container gardening might have its limitations, there are a number of fantastic benefits.

    • You have the benefit of being able to bring containers inside through the coldest part of the winter.
    • Your baskets / containers may create a focus on a balcony or terrace space, adding interest, foliage or colour.
    • Planters can be made out of nearly any kind of container that holds dirt and allows adequate drainage.
    • Potting mediums are simple to work with as they are the right pH.
    • Weeds are not as likely to develop into a problem.
    • Less likely to be assaulted by snails and slugs or soil borne diseases.
    • The smallest distance – even a windowsill can be used to make a few fresh herbs

Soil

You want to obtain premium potting mixture for growing in containers. Don’t hesitate to use soil from the garden on your pots because it will get thick and compact, not allowing water to drain well. A premium potting medium is crucial. It’s lighter and so provides excellent drainage.

You’ll have to offer all of your plants nutrients as most potting mixes don’t arrive with organic fertilizer. Remember that more isn’t better when it comes to applying fertilizer. Even organic, too much fertilizer in touch with your plant’s roots will burn them. Always follow the instructions on packed fertilizers. There are lots of organic fertilizers available to pick from so search for mixes appropriate to the sort of plant you’re growing – leafy, flowering, vegetables, etc..

Container plants need watering more often than ordinary garden plants, and because of this the water leaches out fertilizers. So container grown plants benefit from liquid packs on a regular basis during their growing season. You can buy organic liquid fertilizers if you do not have room to create your own. Use them for foliar feeding and drenching the soil around your plants.

Watering

Because container plants are over ground sunlight and wind will dry potting soils out faster than crops grown in the ground. During summer you’ll have to take care your pots don’t dry out.

Water containers once the soil dries out to a thickness of 1-2cm (1/2 inch). Apply water using a gentle flow to be gentle in your plants and the soil. In very hot weather I usually re-water about 30 minutes after my first watering. This can be beneficial in containers as plants can’t always take the water up quickly.

It’s important to be certain your containers have sufficient drainage or your plants will suffer and finally die if the roots are permanently sitting . If your containers sit on the floor bottom holes might not drain easily. If they’re on a terrace or are just off the floor, there should be no issue with bottom holes. If you are not sure, make holes.

Pieces from an old broken clay pot or fly wire placed over the holes are going to keep the potting mix from packing around the pockets and reducing drainage, in addition to keeping it in the pot.

You may add some mulch to bigger pots in summer to help prevent them from drying out. I love to use pea straw.

Choosing the Correct plants

When you are growing in containers you’ll have to search for varieties which are the most appropriate for growing in tiny areas. Many herbaceous plants make excellent container specimens. You could begin with a few of the smaller vegetables such as radishes, lettuce, onions, capsicum or chillies, eggplant, brief types of carrots, bush beans etc.. Container planting is best to test out some companion planting methods. You’ll have better success if your plant mixes are happy ones! If you plant in 3 weekly successions you might have the ability to attain continuous production of some crops.

You can even try some climbing plants that you’ve got some trellis or railing for support. Strawberries grow well in containers, especially hanging baskets if they’re not allowed to dry out.

Location

Choose a place for you container crops in which they get about six hour sunshine daily, preferably morning sun as opposed to afternoon sun. Ou may also have to protect your plants from falling over in strong winds. If you have many pots they may offer some protection for one another. Place the tallest plants along walls or trellises.

Many traditional anglers wind up with more than only a couple plants growing in containers. I would not think of any other means to grow mints as they’re merely hopeless if they escape into the garden. And how many individuals have the space for a full grown bay tree, when they just use a few leaves each week?

Yes, they take a little more care, but we’re well rewarded with our bounties. Try developing a few pots together. They look great and they give a suitable micro-climate for one another. Good luck with yours!