It’s time to pull out the garden gloves and start thinking GREEN. And don't let a lack of space prevent you from growing. You can let your green thumb loose and grow your own vegetables and flowers in small space friendly containers. Starter plants are available nearly everywhere right now.
Container gardening is great when space is limited. A variety of vegetables and herbs can be grown to supplement the family food budget. Colorful flowers can be cultivated to grace a patio or porch. Container gardening is much more manageable than yard gardening. Tending and enjoying a small container garden can be a relaxing way to end a long hard day. Gardening in containers has other advantages too.
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| Barrel Container Affixed to Wall |
One of the biggest advantage is being able to easily move the container or situate your garden box to nicely fit a plant’s sunlight needs. A container of leafy vegetables generally requires at least five hours of sunlight daily. More if possible. Vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage and leafy greens herbs require as much direct sunlight as possible. Container gardens require less weeding and container-grown plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Getting Started
Select a container suitable for what you intend to grow and its ability to enhance the decor of your space. Plants can be cultivated in planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets, and large flower pots.
Wooden containers can are very susceptible to rot. Wooden pots that have been treated with creosote and other toxic compounds can damage plants. Ask your garden center about which containers are untreated
Plants require adequate space for their root systems to spread out to produce good sized produce and healthy flowers. Containers for vegetables should be as large as possible. Purchase good quality potting soil like Miracle Grow that allows proper drainage while retaining moisture especially if you are an inattentive gardener.
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Decorative Galvanized Tin Container
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Drainage
Proper drainage in both the container and the planting medium used is important. Insufficient drainage promotes root rot and eventually kill the plants. Planter boxes should be elevated so that excess water can drain away from the roots. Whatever the container, it should have drainage holes where excess water can exit. Water catch trays reserve hold a bit of this excess water for use during times of dryness.
Container gardening can be easy and fun for the whole family. Give kids their own little pot of flowers or herbs to grow and help foster a love of nature. Check out the many helpful container gardening tips on GardenGuidelines.com for all the information you will need to get started and enjoy the benefits of growing your own vegetables and flowers.
