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Container gardening is a great way for people to exercise their green thumbs even if they live in very confined spaces. In todays urban environment outdoor living space could be limited to a very small patio area or perhaps just a balcony. These areas although small can be transformed into lush green zones through the practice of container gardening. Containers of plants can be hung from railings, sat on windowsills, swinging from overhangs or just arranged on a patio.
One of the benefits of growing in small containers is the fact that they can be moved around to suit the occasion. When a few friends pop in it is easy to move the containers to make extra room on the patio. Another benefit of the containers’ versatility is the fact that you can adapt it to simulate any environment depending on the type of soil you fill it with and where you place it. So in the shady corner wild jungle plants can thrive while in the hot sunny corner flowers, patio tomatoes, herbs, or even cacti will do great.
When trying to make an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of containers and plants, adjusting the containers to be at different heights by hanging them from the ceiling or placing them on supports works very well. Hanging them allows utilization the most of the space you. This is called "vertical gardening". When done right, the results are a very pleasing arrangement of plants while conserving valuable space. One method of vertical gardening is the use of an old wooden step ladder. Paint it up, lean it against a wall and fill the steps with cascades of beautiful containers of flowers.
The maintenance of container plants takes some time compared to plants in the ground. Containers will dry out quickly and each container will need to be watered individually. There are moisture retention products on the market which when mixed with the soil will help hold the water until the plant needs it. It is important not to over-water your container plants, as this can be just as fatal to their health as under-watering.
When choosing containers for plants, Try to buy them all at once along with some extras in case they get broken or more plants are added later. They do not need to be all the same shape and size, but definitely they should be the same style so that the compliment each other. Plastic containers are the best as they require the least amount of watering. If clay or earthen pots are used it is a good idea to use a plastic liner. This will help retain water because the clay is very porous and will allow water loss.
Another thing to remember when buying pots is the fact that the size of the pot will ultimately constrict the size of the plant. Making a careful choice of pots according to the plant to be grown in each one is wise. Plans have different root space requirements. This can even be an advantage when dealing with large plants or aggressive growing plants. By limiting the available root space it is possible to keep the plants size under control.
The benefits of container gardening are not just limited to the urban environment. A few containers of herbs are a great fresh addition to any kitchen. Plants in containers can add appeal to any deck or patio area. Plus, these containers can be easily moved around to change the look of an area in just minutes.
There is no reason for a persons green thumb to get fat, flabby and out of shape just because there is no room for a garden. There is always room for a container of plants somewhere.
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