In recent years container gardening has become very popular mainly because this sort of gardening is both attractive and convenient. Containerized gardening is perfect for those with little or no garden space such as people living in apartments, condominiums, or small lots. This form of gardening is appealing to anyone with little time to spend cultivating, weeding, fertilizing, etc. Even though the same or more attention must be paid to container gardens, it takes less time and some jobs (like weeding) are greatly reduced. Gardening this way is more economical in the long run; you will require less water, less soil, less fertilizer, and so on. Container gardening is ideally suited for those with limited mobility like the elderly or disabled who wish to grow a beautiful garden or their own vegetables but are unable to do so in the conventional manner. Finally, container gardens simply look good and many gardeners use them to supplement their own garden beds.

 

 

Containers

 

There are a wide variety of container types available for planting. What must be remembered is that they all require decent drainage holes (if this is impossible then a layer of rocks or Styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the pot will work if a layer of fiberglass screen or landscape fabric is added on to prevent soil and plant roots from growing amongst the rocks) or the soil may retain water and roots can begin to rot. Drainage can be increased by raising the pot off the ground an inch or so with 'feet', wedges, or blocks. It is also important to keep in mind that the top of the plant is usually proportionate to the roots. Therefore, large tomatoes require a large pot otherwise they can become root-bound and will require constant watering.

 

Wood is a very popular form of container because it is attractive, fairly lightweight, and blends in well with most homes. Woods like cedar provide some resistance to rot and are usually the best to use. Try to stay away from pressure treated woods or railroad ties as they emit chemicals that are harmful to plants.

 

Clay, terracotta, and ceramic containers are often used. Indeed, few things look nicer than an herb garden or annual arrangement in a terracotta pot. The main drawback of ceramic is that it wicks water away from the soil because it is porous. As a result they may have to be watered more often. Always bring ceramic pots indoors or store somewhere dry during in the fall; our winter weather with its cycles of freezing and thawing can quickly destroy these pots.

 

Another commonly used type of container is plastic. These are light, inexpensive, and usually have pre-drilled drainage holes (and if they don't it is easy to make your own). Be careful not to use dark or black pots for sun-loving plants. The dark color absorbs light and heats the soil, increasing water evaporation.

If a permanent location has been selected, large containers made of concrete, iron, or metal can be used but always make sure they have proper drainage. A similar look can be achieved with lightweight foam pots.

 

 

Soil

 

Generally, it is not a good idea to use garden soil or top soil for containers planting. The high clay content of garden soil will not provide adequate drainage and is not conducive to root growth. If allowed to dry out, garden soil separates from the side of the pot and is hard to re-wet. Container plants should be grown in a light, airy soil capable of holding water and nutrients while at the same time draining easily. It is best to use a soil-less potting mix made up of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. There are even some mixes that are made specifically for container garden with moisture-retaining crystals and/or wetting agents. Adding charcoal will help to sweeten the soil. Finally, make sure the soil is only filled up to within two inches of the top of the pot to allow space for watering.

 

 

Fertilizer

 

Container-grown plants require a lot of water over the summer and this will flush out fertilizer quite quickly. This can be counteracted by mixing a slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting. A consistent fertilizing program every two to four weeks as per the fertilizer instructions will keep the plants fed if a slow-release fertilizer is not an option. Make sure you do not over-fertilize. The salts and nitrogen in fertilizer can easily burn tender roots.

 

 

Water

 

Careful watering is perhaps the single-most important aspect of container gardening. In a normal summer containers dry out faster than the ground (hanging baskets dry out even faster) because they are exposed to the drying effects of the wind and the sun. Containers will require watering at least two to three times per week during a normal season. In wet periods water less or the roots will sit in water. In dry times water more often, up to twice a day for some plants. To tell if watering is required watch for wilting or test the top inch or so of the soil. If it is dry then water until water flows out of the drainage holes. Some containers need to be watched more closely like terracotta, smaller pots, dark pots, and hanging baskets.

 

 

Planting

 

There are a few general tips for planting container gardens. For more specific information please refer to that particular section in the guide. Do not crowd too many plants together since they will require room to establish themselves. Remove dead flowers and prune back leggy plants to encourage bushy growth. Watch for insects and diseases on your container plants as the plants are stressed. Finally, be sure to stake climbing plants or rig up a trellis. If this is done use a very heavy pot or anchor the container to prevent it from blowing over.

 

 

Annuals

 

Annuals, lasting only a single season, are the most common plants found in containers. Flowers and foliage plants can be mixed or all of the same type. It is important when planting a mixed container that all plants have the same light requirements. Growth habits must also be considered; place tall plants like dracaena or canna lilies near the back or center and trailers and low-growing plants like petunias or bacopa on the outside of the planter. The following is a list of light requirements for commonly grown annuals. For further information on these plants refer to the annuals tables. NOTE: for Supertunias it is vital that they be watered daily.

 

 

Vegetables

 

Planting vegetables in container gardens can be fairly simple, convenient, and rewarding if a few steps are followed, though productivity will vary depending on variety and season. Vegetables require a sunny location and a large container. Root vegetables need a lot of soil while large plants like tomatoes require a lot of space for root development and to ensure that the soil does not dry out too quickly. The following is a list of vegetables that can do well in containers arranged by growth habit. Further information can be found in the vegetable section of this guide.

 

 

Summer-Flowering Bulbs

 

Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils rarely survive a winter in a container. However, summer-flowering bulbs, corms, tubers, etc. do very well in large containers for the growing season. Try dahlias (especially dwarf varieties), begonias, glads and specialty bulbs such as the climbing gloriosa lily.

 

 

Herbs

 

A very popular container-grown crop, fresh herbs can be grown close to the back door for convenient harvest as long as there is sufficent light. Please see the herb section for details.