Container Flower Garden

A container flower garden is an excellent alternative for those who are short on space, or short on yard – such as condo or apartment dwellers. While you may not be able to plant all of the plants you’d like due to the lack of space, you can certainly plant many different plants and vegetables in containers, just as you would in the garden. Vegetable container gardening is an excellent way to grow your favorite vegetables even if you do have enough room in your yard!

To establish your container garden, you’ll want to select the containers or pots in which you’ll use for your plants. You may be reusing some old containers that you have on hand, or you may be purchasing new containers. When selecting your containers, make sure that you select those that have proper drainage. Many of the containers available at garden supply stores are self-enclosed, meaning that there are no pre-drilled holes in the bottom for good drainage. You can plant certain annuals in these pots, although it is risky. Plants need proper soil, water, and air in order to grow to their full potential. Pots with no drainage holes are lacking the air element, and this can be extremely problematic and lethal to the roots of the plants. It is also quite easy to over-water plants in these containers as the water tends to pool at the bottom of the pot.

I have two such containers on my patio that I have planted with petunias and sweet potato vines. They have done very well in these containers, however they are also easy to grow plants. When they were lacking in water and appeared droopy, I watered them and they perked right back up. When they were near death from drowning after a particularly rainy period, they perked right up after they dried out. Not all plants and vegetables are as forgiving, and it’s best to have a proper drainage system.

It is possible to purchase a self-enclosed pot, and then drill your own holes in the bottom for drainage. If you go with this option, you’ll need to water regularly, maybe as often as daily, because there is no place for the water run-off to be stored as the plant dries out. Or, you can purchase a clear water tray from a garden store to place under the pot, allowing the excess water to be collected and used by the plant as it dries out. Depending on the size of the pots in your container flower garden design, it may be a good idea to have the container placed on a dolly or a plastic tray with castors. The second option allows for water run off to be captured, while also making it easier to move.

Remember that utilizing a container flower garden means that you will need containers that are large enough to hold the fully developed plant. When soil is placed in the container, and your plant grows to mature size, it can become quite heavy and therefore difficult to move. Depending on the plant, you may be relocating it inside for the winter, and need to be able to move it as easily as possible.

As stated before, using containers for vegtable gardening is a wonderful option! You have the ability to place the container in the most optimal location for sun, you can easily keep the weeds at bay, and you have more control over plant fertilization. Tomatoes respond particularly well to vegetable container gardening. This planter that I have placed in my front yard produces all of the tomatoes that I will need for a season. This planter even produced more tomatoes than the plants in my garden, which is fairly impressive considering the fact that it does not get as much sun as it should during the day.

Other plants that do well in hanging baskets are herbs and spices, particularly if they are in easy reach of the kitchen. A container flower garden done indoors is also well-suited for growing herbs and spices, as long as there is a nice sunny location.

I found an excellent, comprehensive article written on vegetable gardening in containers (opens new window). Feel free to browse this or any other sites located on this page to assist you with establishing a container flower garden in and around your home.