Container Gardens
June 13th 2006 00:13
The Garden in a Pot
Many of us live in city apartments, and units, with not much avaliable space for even a small garden, let alone a front garden and lawn. But it doesn't have to be all concrete and gloom, with a little ingenuity, container gardens can transform your living space and outdoor balcony into flourishing beauty.
To acieve this however, we need to think about a few things in order to get some healthy plants blooming in beauty. The following tips have been provided by about gardening:
Container size
Have a think about how big the plants will grow before you put them in a container. Upright plants will need a wider base for the root strusture, and crawlers will need a pot deep enough to lazily drape over.
As the plants grow, the soil will dry more as the roots will be more demanding of water. Water them more often as they get bigger!
Drainage
All pots should have drainage. This can be achieved simply by usig the plastic pots one sees at a nursery, or even just using 5cm or gravel at the bottom of a container.
Soil
Don't use the dirt from the garden. Potting mix should be used (preferably a good one!). This can be bought at the local nursery. Chunky potting mix is better as the soil will remain more loose, and for those who want to go a little further, mix in a little peat or perlite to retain the soil moisture for longer.
Plant selection
It is important to choose plants that require the same amount of water, light, heat and food. For example, the amount of sun exposure required for one plant could kill another. It also helps to choose plants that can withstand a lot of sun exposure, and the dry soil of a container.
Plant Size
Cotainer gardens look best when you can see the container. Choosing plants that will dwarf the container/ smother the container should be avoided.
Sun Exposure
Keep in mind that container gardens dry out more quickly than a garden bed, and although the species you select may love to sun-bake, it always help to position the container so that it gets at least a little shading during the day.
Also think about light that can be reflected off walls during the day.
Water, the Elixer
In summer, you should be checking the soil twice daily to see if it is too dry. Water often in summer (up to twice a day), and less in winter. Remember that the container dries quickly, and this can be a swift death to your baby.
Food
You can buy potting mixes with fertilizer already mixed in. Either way, you're going to have to replenish the soil eventually. You can mix in a time released fertilizer at the planting stage, and use water-soluable fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
Ch- ch- ch- ch- Chan-ges
If a plant is fading, change it. This keeps the pot looking rejuvenated all-year round. The sequence of bloom for different species is up to you, a little homework goes a long way.
So here we are, these tips should help you on your way to getting a little blooming to liven up your living space. Enjoy.
To acieve this however, we need to think about a few things in order to get some healthy plants blooming in beauty. The following tips have been provided by about gardening:
Container size
Have a think about how big the plants will grow before you put them in a container. Upright plants will need a wider base for the root strusture, and crawlers will need a pot deep enough to lazily drape over.
As the plants grow, the soil will dry more as the roots will be more demanding of water. Water them more often as they get bigger!
Drainage
All pots should have drainage. This can be achieved simply by usig the plastic pots one sees at a nursery, or even just using 5cm or gravel at the bottom of a container.
Soil
Don't use the dirt from the garden. Potting mix should be used (preferably a good one!). This can be bought at the local nursery. Chunky potting mix is better as the soil will remain more loose, and for those who want to go a little further, mix in a little peat or perlite to retain the soil moisture for longer.
It is important to choose plants that require the same amount of water, light, heat and food. For example, the amount of sun exposure required for one plant could kill another. It also helps to choose plants that can withstand a lot of sun exposure, and the dry soil of a container.
Plant Size
Cotainer gardens look best when you can see the container. Choosing plants that will dwarf the container/ smother the container should be avoided.
Sun Exposure
Keep in mind that container gardens dry out more quickly than a garden bed, and although the species you select may love to sun-bake, it always help to position the container so that it gets at least a little shading during the day.
Also think about light that can be reflected off walls during the day.
Water, the Elixer
In summer, you should be checking the soil twice daily to see if it is too dry. Water often in summer (up to twice a day), and less in winter. Remember that the container dries quickly, and this can be a swift death to your baby.
You can buy potting mixes with fertilizer already mixed in. Either way, you're going to have to replenish the soil eventually. You can mix in a time released fertilizer at the planting stage, and use water-soluable fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
Ch- ch- ch- ch- Chan-ges
If a plant is fading, change it. This keeps the pot looking rejuvenated all-year round. The sequence of bloom for different species is up to you, a little homework goes a long way.
So here we are, these tips should help you on your way to getting a little blooming to liven up your living space. Enjoy.
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