Creative Container Garden Designs

As long as a few rules are followed, setting up creative container garden designs can be a lot of fun for both adults and children. The biggest rule when making container garden designs ultimately revolves around the homeowner and each individual plant. A container garden must meet the needs of the homeowner, of course, but each container must also meet the needs and requirements of the garden plant that is potted within the container garden. Additionally, the design must meet the layout of the home as well as the landscaping that surrounds the home, patio, porch, backyard or steps where the container garden will be placed.

To keep things simple, map out the house and grounds, read seed packet labels for planting information and always ask for help at the garden center when purchasing gardening containers. Different plants require different attention and care, and not every container will be correct for every plant.

Container Gardening Design and Location

Several different areas are perfect for container gardens. One such area is what is typically referred to as a flower box. A flower box can be filled with flowers, or it can be filled with something entirely different. For instance, flower boxes are great for herbs and several small vegetables such as peppers.

Another great area that is often utilized when making a container garden is the back steps. If a container garden is to be located on the back steps, ideal garden pots will be medium sized square pots or short squat round pots. A square pot will distribute weight more evenly on the step and be less likely than a round pot to blow off the steps. If using round pots, use pots that are heavy and/or stocky. If the steps are used, place one or two pots on each step and always position them to the opposite side of the railing. This will prevent pots from getting kicked or knocked off the steps when people are moving up and down them.

If the garden is located on the veranda or balcony, garden containers should be positioned near the railing, but, if possible, leave a small section open for sightseeing while that morning cup of java is enjoyed. Balconies generally get plenty of sun, but remember that not all plants will thrive in full sun, either. Know what each plant requires before planting it and incorporating it into a container garden.

Patio Container Gardening

Another area that is ideal is the patio. Patio container gardening is the perfect type of container gardening, especially if there is an existing deck fence or line of bushes near the patio to act as a wind block. Patio container gardening simplifies a project of this type because there is already a large foundation or base floor to work with.

If the foundation is a simple slab of cement, patio container gardening is made that much more simple because there is no motif or theme to worry about; however, if the floor is slate (or concrete) discoloration can occur if garden pots remain in the same location overlong. If the patio is covered in gravel (ideal for drainage) there should be no problem with possible discoloration to worry about.

Organic Container Gardening

Organic container gardening means using garden pots and other gardening containers that are either biodegradable or made of natural ingredients that will not leach into the soil. Organic container gardening also means that no pesticides or chemicals will be used in or on the garden. When organic container gardening is the goal, and pests are a problem, try using a safe pest control method by mixing one part liquid hand soap with 100 parts water and spraying the plants twice a week as well as after each rain shower.

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