A Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening

Gardeners or interested individuals who live in apartment complexes or a temporary home benefit from growing a container gardens. A container garden is easily transported from place to place unlike plants that have established themselves in the earth. Therefore, raising plants in containers is the practical way for an urban gardener or gardener on the move to maintain a relationship with their plants for years to come. If you’re new to gardening, it may be helpful to read about how to grow any plant from seed.

To Begin Container Gardening One Must Purchase Several Necessary Supplies

Containers: the size of container that you buy depends upon how much time you are willing to spend growing your plants. If you cannot devote at least one hour a week to your plants, you should buy a large container; at least two gallons. However, if you can dedicate more time to your garden, buy a smaller container; about 1/2 gallons. Since plants grow as much as their containers allow, a smaller container will yield a faster growing plant whereas a large container will slow growth but contain the plant for years to come. Choosing to plant in a small container will require repotting once a year but will also free up a small container for a new plant each year. Therefore, you can rotate your plants and containers annually.

Soil: Choose a potting soil with moisture control and one that contains pearl light. Be sure to buy from a reputable company because it is easy to purchase soil that has not been sterilized; containing larvae of some sort.

Gravel: Gravel may be purchased or harvested for free in a local parking lot. Obtain about 1/2 of a gallon for each container that you plan on planting. You should count on having a surplus of gravel because it comes in handy every time a plant is potted.

Fertilizer: purchase a liquid fertilizer from a reputable business, the fertilizer will feed your plants and keep them alive.

Plants: The last items that must be purchased are the plants that will grow in the containers. It is not recommended for novice gardeners to begin by planting seeds because they require intensive knowledge and care. Instead, consult a professional and choose a hardy plant that will grow well in your specific climate.

Now that all of the necessary materials have been acquired, it is time to begin planting!

• Step one: fill the bottom of each pot with about one inch of gravel. Gravel ensures that your containers will properly drain.
• Step Two: fill the remainder of the pot with potting soil; leave an inch of space at the top of the container.
• Step Three: create a small indent in the middle of the pot; this is where the future plant will be placed. Remove your plant from the container it was purchased in and gently break up the root ball. Breaking the root ball encourages the plant to explore its new container and create more roots. Place the plant into the indent that was created earlier.
• Step Four: pack potting soil around the freshly planted plant and firmly press down to crush any air bubbles in the soil. The pot should not be filled to the brim, but it can be filled within a half inch of the top.
• Step Five: water in the plant by pouring enough water into the container for it to drain out of the holes on the bottom of the container.

Once all five of the steps have been properly executed, the containers should be cared for like any other houseplant. Water when the soil has completely dried; fertilizing every other time you water. To avoid over fertilizing do not fertilize until two months have passed and the nutrients in the potting soil have diminished.