Loading ...
Container gardening is a great way to bring beauty to your yard. Plants aren’t picky about where they’re put as long as they have enough room for their roots grow, proper waterings and drainage, and good soil full of necessary nutrients. You can have total control over your garden with containers, and it’s easy to stay on top of your plants’ needs when they’re contained in, well, a container.
With container planting, there is less chance for pests and diseases, and if you do start noticing a problem, it’s easier to manage and remedy. You can also control the soil balance, pH levels, sunlight exposure, and water amounts easily. With the ability to move the pots around, you can extend the growing season by bringing plants inside the garage when needed or by starting the growing season indoors before it’s safe to do so with possible frosts outside. Plus, with the many container options, you are able to bring uniqueness and personality to your yard.
Get your creative juices flowing and explore the many options for container planting. We’ve seen amazing gardens in old bathtubs, wheelbarrows, five-gallon buckets, dug out tree stumps, repurposed barn wood, and even vintage truck beds. The versatility of materials makes container gardening a fun and enjoyable project. Just make sure you add some drainage holes about a half inch wide to avoid clogging issues and that you don’t use a product that can leach harmful chemicals or substances into the soil.
One critical aspect of container gardening is the soil. You may think it’s okay to pour in some dirt from your garden, but that isn’t ideal for your plants. The dirt will harden too much when it dries, and it won’t have enough important nutrients for your plants to thrive all summer. Instead opt for a high-quality potting soil that contains peat, manure, and perlite, such as our 100% organic Garden Soil Plus. This product is perfect for veggie or flower gardens as well as containers and planter boxes, and you can plant directly into this soil—no need to mix with other products.
Even with a quality soil, you’ll want to fertilize your container gardens. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize about two to four weeks after planting and then reapply about once every two weeks. Some plants, especially veggies, may require more or less, so read the labels or come in and ask us for assistance. You can also add mulch to your container to maximize water retention and preserve the nutrients all season long. We call mulch your personal helper in a garden because of its many benefits. Protect roots, prevent weeds, repel pets, and be water wise with proper mulch application.
Container gardening gets more popular each year, and with good reason. Container gardening is great way to have control over your plants throughout the hot summers. We have a lot to say about container gardening, so be sure to check our Part 2 of this blog series.
