Personally, I think gardening in containers is the best thing since sliced bread! The possibilities are endless - you can create gardens of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flower! How great is that!
Household containers become garden art (recyclers rejoice). A little ingenuity you can turn items that originally were not designed as planters but have great potential into garden containers. For instance:
1) Big plastic party bowls (usually reserved for chips and dip) can be useful and colorful.
2) Large metal or plastic buckets are attractive because they are deep and wide with the added bonus of handles (easy to move).
3) Wire baskets (wicker is good also) - just line with plastic or moss
4) Large old toys like a dump truck or wagon - especially if they still have wheels.
Just one rule to follow - no matter what the material - it must have drainage holes.
As a container gardener you do have an easier time then the "traditional gardener". You can make use of the smallest of space. Smaller space means less variables to deal with. Skip the backbreaking work of tilling and adding soil amendments to the beds. Harvesting is easier - you can bring the pot to you! Almost never have weeds. Containers are mobile - regroup them into pleasing combinations and take advantage of the changing season.
What about that old saying -"location, location location"? Anyone with a speck of outdoor space can enjoy the therapeutic and rewarding pursuit of gardening. Balcony or porch, deck or patio
even front or back steps - are places to display year round interest. Fill the pots with sweet smelling plants and welcome your visitors with a heavenly aroma.It is an easy way to bring the garden closer to you! Or a window box planted with herbs - easy picking for the salad! Even out in the garden integrate garden containers into the overall scheme, fill in seasonal gaps and take advantage of specialized micro-environments. Put each container where it fits best and move it aside when it is past it抯 prime.
There are many great books that can offer advice on preparing and selecting plants, choosing containers from hanging basket to window boxes and creating various themes. Books that can be a guide for anyone wishing to transform even the smallest corner with flair and confidence.
Make efficient use of your space with container gardening, where you can grow good things to eat or just look at! Even with one container and a little planning you can have a garden for all seasons!
