With more and more people living in apartments and condominiums, and moving into neighbour hoods where backyards are smaller than driveways, container gardening is becoming increasingly popular.Container gardening is a hobby that is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Not only is it relaxing an enjoyable, but you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are growing your own plants. With more and more stories on the news about various planting and growing methods with fertilizers including harmful chemical substances as well as genetically modified crops, many people are finding it important to start growing as much of their own produce as possible.
Setting up your first container garden is neither difficult nor too expensive. It is very easy and can be quite inexpensive.
The first step to start container gardening is the purchase of containers or pots. Terracotta is the material that has an advantage over plastic in that it is porous. Glazed earthenware and porcelain pots have been fashionable for years. Whatever the material, make sure your container has adequate drainage holes. Nothing will kill your plants faster than wet feet.
The next step is regarding to soil. Don’t use real soil in your containers and pots. Real garden soil compacts over summer and turns into concrete under the pressure of regular watering. When it does, plant roots stop growing because they require good open spaces to move into and absorb nutrients. Hard, compacted soils do not grow good plants.
Using a mixture of organic compost and peat moss (mix together one part peat moss with five parts organic compost) makes it reusable in the next growing season. I’m reusing my potting soil from year to year. Dump it out of the pot or container, chew it up with a shovel to cut up all last year’s roots and add approximately 10 % by volume of compost. The compost increases air spaces and gives plants a boost in healthy nutrition.
Than plant your seeds or plants. For seed simply make holes in the centre of each pot with your finger. Put about three seeds into each hole. Then cover the seeds with soil. Water lightly and place the pot in a sunny spot (for example a windowsill).
In order to care for your plants, all you need to do is water them regularly and keep them maintained. Check the soil daily for moisture. Whenever the soil feels dry, water it.
Feed your plants weekly. Nitrogen, the engine of plant growth, is water soluble and as you water your containers from the top the dissolved nitrogen is leaving from the bottom. You can use any liquid plant food to promote growth. Compost tea is the Cadillac of liquid plant food and if you make your own compost tea, your plants will respond with better growth.
Finally, no matter the size of the container or pot, it is important to soak it all the way to the bottom at each watering. Continue watering until water emerges from the pot bottom. This ensures the roots can reach all parts of the container and grow properly.
It is really simple to start a container garden. You can apply this method to practically any herbs, small vegetable, or flower, with only minor modifications.
Get ideas on how to start and with what to start container gardening. Start small and when you see the results expand your garden experience. Do one thing at the time.
The next blog will give you some creative ideas of container gardening. Even in a small spot you can do so much with plants. There is no limit and everyone of us wants to have a little heavenly place to enjoy.
Visit ‘Garden Lover’s Paradise’ and do a search for garden books, tools, ideas.
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