Self Watering Container Gardening

Self watering container gardening is easy to do just as long as you have a self-watering container which you can make on your own using a hard plastic or buy a ready-made container; it looks like a tray with soil in it and a basin for water down below as plant roots absorb water when they need it the most.

Self watering containers can be used to generate a small harvest of vegetables, herbs, or even flowers. This allows people without a big yard, like those who live in an apartment or a small house with no garden location to still enjoy gardening.

The Earth Box is a sample of a self watering container for gardening. The price of the kit is around $50, but it still depends on where you’re buying it. Buying an Earth Box will help you save time compared to making your own container. However, If you have a lot of spare time and want to save up, you don’t have to be bothered because there are instructions on the net on how to make a self watering container. The size of typical containers is about 30 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches in depth. When water and soil are present, it should weigh around 70 pounds.

One advantage of self watering container gardening is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time worrying about whether your plants have enough water or too much water – simply keep the reservoir full and your plants will always have the perfect amount.

Ideally, self-watering containers should be refilled once a week especially if the plants are still new. However, the rate of recurrence for watering still depends on the plant’s access to sun light, temperature, and the size of the plant. When it’s really hot and the plant has ripened, it is advisable to water it once a day.

It is very easy to maintain a self watering container garden, all you have to focus on is the water refill and fertilizer. If you place a level of fertilizer followed by the soil, the water underneath it will probably raise the nutrient for the plant to absorb.

It’s amazing how you can harvest plants by yourself at your own home. With self watering container gardening, it’s easy to grow your own vegetables, herbs and flowers; it will save you money from buying your vegetables and herbs for cooking – plus you’ll always have fresh food for your family!

Patio Container Gardening

Patio is Spanish word that means “back garden” or “backyard”. We often see picture of beautiful patios that are decorated with beautiful plants and flowers to depth and dimension in magazines and on TV. One way to achieve this with your own patio is with patio container gardening.

If you’re planning to make a patio garden, make sure that you have a definite design in mind so that you won’t have to remodel again and again. A simple design would is easiest for maintenance and often more appealing as well. There should be spaces allotted for green plants, as well as flowers and you really need to put a lot of thought into arrangement. Varying, color, texture height and shape will add appeal to your patio garden.

Remember that patio container gardening is not just about simple gardening of vegetables, fruits, flowers other plants, it involves skills and talents for landscaping as well. It is advisable to get a good-looking container, something that will reflect the look of your garden. Ceramic pots are wonderful for container gardens but remember to buy different shapes and sizes for visual appeal. When using a big and heavy pot, make sure that the plants inside it are the ones who won’t easily die during winter so you won’t have a hard time moving it inside your house.

When you are living in an apartment, you can still make your own beautiful garden by using containers for your plants. Container gardening in a small balcony can be a wonderful option, especially if you’re interested in making your balcony look more alive. Plants are a good source in making a more peaceful surrounding especially if they are well-maintained. One thing good about a patio container is that you can move it anywhere you want; you can arrange your plants in different styles. When it gets cold, you can put potted-plants that are vulnerable in winter inside your apartment or house.

Patio container gardeners can choose from different containers like wooden boxes, ceramic planters, hanging pots, and plastic or resin pots. On the other hand, plastic pots are not really that advisable since they don’t last long due to the weather. Plastic containers can get too soft when exposed to too much sun light and can crack easily.

If you don’t want to flood your plants with water, remember to cut holes about half an inch at the bottom of your container to make way for excess water. Do not cut big holes to avoid soil breakage or loose soil.

Proper lighting should be noted as well. Remember that any plant grows better when exposed to proper sun light. However, do consider watering the plants regularly so that it wouldn’t end up too dry and die. Do not over do it for too much water can also kill the plant.

If you want to make your patio more beautiful and enjoyable for your family and even for yourself, try patio container gardening. It will definitely add more color to your life!

Tips For Growing Herbs In A Container

Considering the changing seasons especially if you live where there are four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall), it is advisable to put your desired plants in containers so that during winter, the plant can be brought inside. Growing herbs in a container can be easy as long as you know that they need fertilization every mid-season and regular watering as well as a good sunny window.

An advantage of growing your herbs in containers is that you can move them as you see fit. You can cover them from strong winds or raise them up from occurring and unexpected floods.

Growing herbs in a container has many uses. If you want to save space in your garden, can also use stands to level the plants and organize their placement. It’s up to your creativity on how your herbs are arranged. Some people like to buy decorative containers to make them more appealing and others put the plants in containers with different sizes and arrange them by height. You can experiment on the container as well; it can be a pot, a barrel, or even an old watering can. Another advantage is that containers prevent weeds from taking over your plant.

Do not fret if your plants wither during autumn, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fresh herbs during winter. You can always bring your potted herbs inside your house to shield them from the cold. Take note that the plants should adjust slowly to the changing atmosphere so better put them in the house an hour or two each day starting in early fall to regulate their growth. Eventually, place them one by one temporarily inside your house until the chill of winter is gone.

Apartment dwellers who want fresh herbs should consider growing herbs inside a container. An example of a plant that grows perfectly well in a container is basil. Another is mint; the growth is so fast and beautiful that you can eventually transfer it to a barrel. Parsley is used frequently in cooking and also does will in a container.

When growing herbs in a container, you must check the condition of your potted-plants during summer should not be forgotten in order to avoid dryness that might make them wither. Putting moss or small rocks on top of the container will help keep the water from pooling at the roots and causing root rot.

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The Benefits of Container Vegetable Gardening

Not having a garden shouldn’t stop you from planting vegetables. Container vegetable gardening will help you grow your vegetables even without a big space. All you need are containers that will perfectly match your gardening needs. It’s that easy!

There’s no need to buy vegetables in the market if you can harvest them at your house. No need for big gardens! There are a lot of vegetables that are suited for container vegetable gardening like corn, tomatoes and more. Larry Bass, a Horticultural Specialist from the Department of Horticultural Science in North Carolina University can attest to that, “Plant breeders have helped to make container vegetable gardening more practical by breeding plants with compact growth habits and relatively high crop yield. Almost any vegetable can be adapted to container culture.” In addition, container gardening helps you position the vegetables in places where they can get optimum sunlight like in balconies and windowsills.

Sounds impossible to grow corn and other vegetables in a container? Of course it isn’t. As long as there is an ample of sunlight and water, with added fertilizer to nourish the plant, you are surely on your way on making it possible. Organic manure can even be used as fertilizer to your vegetables and help in their process of growth.

Do not do away with the role of the containers because it is very important. Growing a big vegetable means putting it inside a big container, but small vegetables like tomatoes can even be placed in a small hanging container. For lettuce that is medium-sized, average-sized pots that are a bit wide are advisable; you cannot use hanging containers because the weight of the lettuce might be pulling it down. Larry Bass added in his research that all containers, whether clay, wood, plastic, or ceramic, should have an adequate number of holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Imagination can also play a part in container vegetable gardening because the choice of containers and the style you want to impose in them is really up to you. You can arrange them by colors or play with their sizes.

The choice of soil adds to the growth of the vegetable. Synthetic soils are the best option for vegetable container gardening. Synthetic soils are mixtures of sawdust, wood chops, peat moss, vermiculite or anything that are closely related to those. However, you must also free it from weeds to maintain the safety of your plant.

To prevent insects and diseases from deteriorating your vegetable, plants should be occasionally inspected. If you’ve spotted some disease or insects feeding on your plant, then it is advisable to spray approved gardening insecticides on your vegetables.

Don’t forget to harvest your vegetables during the peak of their growth when the flavor of the vegetable has fully been developed.

Container vegetable gardening is great for vegetable lovers because they get to harvest vegetables fresh from their containers and in their house. Vegetarian gardeners will surely enjoy not only eating, but the fruits of their labors as well.

Planting a Container Garden

If there are two words that best describes planting a container garden that would be – flexibility and mobility. If you love areas that show off attractive and extravagant garden plants, attention-grabbing plant life and the breathe of nature, you probably need one for yourself.

But how are you going to get through all these goals if you only a limited area to garden in?

The idea of pursuing a container garden can shun all the qualms of having a small area, as the flexibility of retaining an extravagant, attention-grabbing and true nature’s scenery are all on the cards with the use of container gardens.

What are Container Gardens?

Container gardens are a whole new way of creating your own patch given a limited plot. This setting is also meant for those people wanting to fashion a full garden theme but who only possesses a restricted corner. If you only have a patio, deck or rooftop as a place to form your garden-like setting, using a container garden theme will do wonders.

If you still do not get the gist behind the concept of a container garden, these following advantages might shed light in ultimately acquiring a container gardening theme of your own. Read on.

Container Gardening’s Adaptability

Planting a container garden gives you the ability to adjust to various settings whether it is an indoor or outdoor garden. This means that even if your idea of a garden is on your balcony, in window boxes or out on your deck, your container garden as well as the plant life will grow and adapt to the kind of environment it is in. In addition, the adaptability exhibited by container garden plants allows them to survive on differing weather conditions.

Container Gardening’s Movable Concept

Unlike other garden settings where you plant flowers and trees into the soil and which must remain permanent and stable to where it is planted, container gardening eliminates traditional gardening by means of planting your plants directly into the container which can be transferred from one spot to another. This has advantages in different whether conditions, as you can move plants to a warmer location or in and out of the sun as need be.

Container Gardening’s Captivating Adornment

Just imagine how attractive and fascinating a bevy of green plants will look on your patio, how about blossoming periwinkles and blooming birds of paradise in your deck? These are all possible with the help of container gardening. Just remember to consider the arrangement of each of the flower types along with its relation to the others in creating your garden.

In general, planting a container garden be it in wooden containers, plastic pots or clay, the organization and arrangement of plants and flowers along will facilitate in nourishing your green thumb and give you a garden space you can call your own.

Choosing The Right Soil for Containers

Choosing the right soil for containers does not predominantly necessitate using garden soil for your plant life. No matter how tempting it is to use garden soil, it should be avoided as a lot of garden soils are known to be prone and predisposed to bacteria and weed seed. Even if it seems as if it is a good idea to use garden soil in your container gardening setting, this concept will only create heavy mass on plants and will eliminate proper absorption of fertilizers that could lead to dry and damaged plants in the process.

Opportunely, the use of potting soil, is considered to be one of the most essential elements used in container plants and makes it unnecessary to use garden soil. Also known as the potting medium, potting soil contains properties that facilitates properly growing plants in containers that garden soil does not provide.

You might come to ask, why there is a need for a specialized soil for containers. The answer is simple. Potting soil has the capacity to provide rapid draining of water from the container and at the same tim also helps in preserving moisture. These specialized potting soils are made up of organic matters such as redwood, fit bark, compost and fertilizers. One of the main advantages of using potting soil in container is the ability to provide varying mixes to scores of plants in facilitating growth factor.

As garden soils are a big no-no in container gardening, opting for a potting medium will insure an adequate supply of moisture to create breathing spaces among the roots of the plants. Failure to provide your plants with proper soil may result to withering and on worse cases, dead plants. At present, the balance between air and moisture has greatly defined the outcome of your container gardening.

Moreover, as the quality of soil is considered to be the backbone of container gardening, it is important therefore, to find the right kind of quality soil to be used. Keep in mind, sandy soils will only dry and drain the areas where plants are potted on. This is similar with clays on containers, as it only makes the entire surface dense.

You can also generate the concept of soil mixture specifically on large containers, but you better be sure that what you mixed and put together are essential elements in growing the plants.

With all these given facts about the right soil for containers that can also be in the form of soil mixtures, one thing you need to consider is the fact that the soil should be damp but not too wet. One trick that allows you to discern if the soil is moistened or not: If you take some handful of soil and water comes out when you squeeze it, the soil is too wet. However, if the soil breaks, the soil is dry.

In brief, the concept of container gardening might require some basic knowledge when it comes to the quality of soil to be used especially when attending to other needs of an array of plants. Nevertheless, once you get accustomed to all these, you will surely enjoy every single budding flower and amazing sight of foliage in your container garden setting.

Designing a Container Garden: Learning the Art of Balance, Beauty and Functionality

Awaken those imaginative minds, get those hands to labor and toil, and kick off those shoes for some challenging work. This is what it takes when designing a container garden and expressing your artistry can be very well exhibited through this unique gardening concept. Attaining an impressive and expressive statement can be done through color coordination, groupings of flowers and plant life, geometry and most importantly, the pot or the container itself.

Giving your container garden a different kind of style can be a budding image of your entire personality. Embellishments and decorations will serve as an extension of ones individuality as a lot of out of the ordinary and appealing possibilities are endless in this kind of garden setting. So endless that all it takes is an expression of oneself in coming up with the right one.

Your container garden can be chilling out in style and flair with these easy tips.

1.    Bring out the magic from simple plain pots to captivating and attractive ones. Who says pots should remain basic and ordinary? You can make pots artistic by painting them with the color or theme you want your container garden to look like. If  you want to create color coordination among your pots then paint them in different textures using the same colors or make each one with a different design. If you want to create a place with extremely conducive comfort, the pots and setting should display intimacy. Conversely, if you want something loud and happy, painting and designing pots with bright and vibrant hues to create a container garden in high spirits is a sound option.

2.    Consider the kinds of containers to use.  When designing a container garden, you should choose the container to go together and match with the kind of foliage and flora you will put in itt. This should be something that takes in to consideration both the visual and purposeful aspect of the container. Without forgoing the aesthetic value, choosing the right pot for hot climates is essential so as to provide proper care for theplants. And the best pot for hot and humid weather is light-colored for better heat absorption and in avoidance of growing asymmetrical roots.

3.    Make the stature and size sync. This is another consideration in creating a different style and design for your container garden. If you are decorating a small space like window boxes and smaller patios, it is a sound option to go for small to medium size plants. While small patios can accommodate big growing plants, if you go for the aesthetic value, maintaining a few large containers and opting for more small ones will make your patio appear balanced and not crammed full.

Designing a container garden does not have to be difficult or expensive. All it takes is a transformation of the basic, the synchronization of themes and the organization of pots and foliages that go together to bring out the sense of balance, beauty and functionality.

Choosing A Container

Choosing a container from the huge selection that is available can be difficult. However, the search becomes twice as complicated if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. Planning for a container garden can be a bit stressing and tedious, but once you know the crux of the matter in selecting the right pots and containers, you will indeed attest that growing plants and flowers in containers is an easy task.

Wooden Containers

If you will ask groups of people specializing and designing garden containers of their own, wooden containers acts as the most widely held kinds of pots. These containers are designed for flowers and plants that have more than one season to last. Perennial plants are ideal for wooden containers and those plants that have wider leaves and body to grow. These kinds of containers might be a little pricey, yet its durability outweighs the negative.

Plastic Pots

These are considered to be the most economical when weighed against other pots used in container gardens. Although plastic pots are cheap, they do not guarantee durability. Hence, if you are planning to engage in container gardening for a shorter period of time, these pots are for you, however, if you plan on gardening for a relatively longer duration then try choosing a container made from ceramic or terra cotta – they will look better and last longer. Plastic pots no matter how they seem to be sturdy and durable on the outside, will only pave way for cracked container in the long run.

Terra Cotta Clay Pots

These pots are known to be second to plastic containers when it comes to cost and durability. This is due to the fact that, even if it is deemed as one of the most economical types of pots, they break pretty easy because they are so porous. If you have vegetations and foliages planted on terra cotta clay pots, you need to consider that this type of container does not have the ability to stand wintry and cold weather. With this, you better not use these pots on winter seasons.

Ceramic Containers

If you are opting for ceramic pots, you will have some advantages over other containers being used. First, if you favor more on the aesthetic side, ceramic pots are just the right ones for you. These pots are characterized by a smooth finish and are considered to be hardwearing and durable. However, when choosing ceramic pots, you need to make certain that there are drainage holes found at the bottom part of the pot. These holes will help you release and give off excessive water and other matters found in the pot.

Resin Pots

Tera cotta and ceramic pots are vulnerable and susceptible to container breakage. With this, going for resin pots which is also another type of plastic will help you eliminate the risk of breaking your pots and provide lasting containers to be used.

Choosing a container need not be a tedious job, all you have to consider are pots for your plants and flowers’ varying needs. There are pots designed to deteriorate UV rays, pots that are not susceptible to rot, and those containers that lessen heat absorption. With all these selections, the choice is definitely yours.

5 Flowers that Grow Well in Containers

Not all flowers have the ability to grow well in container gardens. There are flowers meant for a container garden setting which can grow just as well in a pot as on the ground. Therefore, opting for container gardening necessitates identification of perfect flowers that grow well in containers. When you finally hit upon the right flowers to plant into your backdrop, these flowers and plants will surely create a refreshing change in scenery.

Here are 5 flowers you might consider for your container garden:

1.    Geraniums – these flowers are considered the best plants to grow in containers. They are easy to grow in gardens specifically container gardens. Geraniums are considered to be perennial flowers in places that have warm weather conditions. Then again, it is also considered an annual on other climates since it dies in one growing season. Opting for geraniums opens up three different types such as scented, ivy and zonal geraniums.

2.    The Yucca Flaccida or the ‘Golden Sword’ –This plant can dramatically change its shades such as yellow stripes, green, white and blue-green. Its leaves are known for their thorny and spiny endings and can be stretched in length up to 2 to 3 inches. This yucca plant during summer season grows bell-shaped flowers in white with a hanging weight similar with that of a pendulum and grows to a towering 8 feet over its point of origin.

3.    Marigolds – These flowers that grow well in containers are considered the work horses of the garden and are known for their adaptability and for not being too selective regardless of weather conditions and areas where it will be planted. These are deemed to be perfect for garden containers and can grow up to 3 feet in height. This can also produce a lot of flowers specifically during spring time and are generally in shades of yellow, orange and cream.

4.    Variegated Red Twig Dogwood – this is also a perfect garden container that is characterized by a red bark which is in complete contrast with its white margins and green center leaves. This is also known as a fruit bearing plant that normally yields berries on seasons like winter and fall.

5.    Snapdragons – there are 3 types of snapdragons to choose from in sizes known as: dwarf, medium and tall. From these three sizes, dwarf snapdragons can grow up to twelve inches; medium size eighteen inches and the biggest one can grow up to three feet tall. The snapdragons are mostly used for flower bouquets and this particularly necessitates proper maintenance so as to preserve its long straight stems.

Flowers that grow well in containers are aplenty and discovering each of them is considered to be one of the best things you’ll ever provide your container gardening theme. As all  flowers and plants are different, it is vital to identify perennials from annuals and which ones will work best for your container gardening settings.

Container Garden Plans Aren’t Always On Paper

Are you having trouble setting up your container garden?

Planning your garden is easy once you have an ideal design and theme for it. However, it is still possible to make the best out of your container garden even if you don’t have an exact plan yet, all you have to do is try arranging the containers in different styles and looks, then eventually you can pick the best look for your garden. Try having colored pots and pots of varying shapes and sizes to make your garden will look it’s best, then just move them around until you get the perfect fit. You see, you don’t have to stress yourself just because you have no container garden plans in hand, you can experiment and come up with a beautiful plan on your own!

When I say experiment, do not over do it. Sometimes less is more, so try having a just a few pots to start. Another thing you should remember is the placement of the pots. Never place small pots in areas where people would probably just step on them by accident because they are not properly positioned. Small pots would do better on top of a table or in areas where they are easily noticeable.

However, having  container garden plans will definitely add to your convenience. Knowing what you want for plants and where you want to place them will make garden arrangement faster. Another tip would be to know the pots you want to use and make sure you get the right sizes for the plants you want to grow.

When it comes to the sizes of your pots, consider your garden space also. If it’s too small, don’t put too many big pots for they might just eat space in your garden. However, if you’re fortunate enough to have a big garden, then you are lucky because you can experiment with the size of your pots without worrying about the space, but remember to not over do it. You want to leave enough space so you can tend to the garden and too many pots is not as pleasing as having “just enough”.

With a big or a medium-sized garden, you can also play with the size of your plants. Height can vary and can contribute to a different feel in your garden. You can even put those kinds of plants in a big container and place them beside a door or a corner. Most people have done that and it looks nice making the area look friendlier.

Play with colors and set a theme for your flowers. If you want to play with sunset colors, try red, orange, and yellow flowers. If you prefer bluish night colors, then blue, purple, white colored flowers will suit your garden.

When you are finished with your container garden plans, do not forget to maintain cleanliness in your garden. Plants in containers need to be watered frequently, but avoid giving them too much water because this will weaken them. Remember to always check your containers especially ceramic pots for breakage.