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Container Gardening in the Metro
For most of us, gardening means two things: a) farm and b) soil.
Hardly anybody knows that a nature-filled activity doesn't have
to be that far and tedious, and can actually take place at the
heart of the dirty metro, right in the comforts of your
condominium.
There are people who resort to other types of gardening
especially when their vicinity calls for it. Most people who
live in a condominium, hotel, or any place that is not suitable
for the usual way of gardening go for some container gardening.
Container gardening is suitable for some indoor gardening.
Through this, people can grow flowers and vegetables in their
doorstep, deck, terrace, or lanai. Container gardening is
applicable to just about any place that can be a great spot for
a practical and pleasing presentation.
However, container gardening still requires the element of light
coming from the sun so as to grow a healthy plant. That's why
it's a must for a person who wants to try container gardening to
consider light as the primary factor in gardening.
Container gardening, as the name suggests, uses containers
instead of the usual seedbed or area typically used for backyard
gardening. Barrels, hanging baskets, bowls, crocks, boxes for
plants, flowerpots, sacks, bowls or peat moss containers are
some of the containers that can be used in container gardening.
In choosing containers for container gardening, there are
certain factors that need to be considered. Any containers can
be used as long as it can provide good drainage. Containers with
tight opening should be avoided.
When considering the material used in the make-up of the
container, it's best not to use terracotta pots and bargained
plastic pots. Terracotta pots can dry out fast and becomes
brittle; while plastic pots may weaken when exposed to sunlight.
The plant selected establishes sizes of containers that are to
be used in container gardening. These containers should provide
enough space for the plants to develop and grow roots.
The next thing to consider in container gardening is the mixture
of soil. The soil mixture should be well ventilated and fluffy.
It should be easy to drain excess water at the same time
maintain abundant moisture. The soil mixture should be rich in
nutrients.
Good soil mixtures can also impede root rot trouble. Root rot
problem can be avoided if the same soil mixture is used all
throughout the container.
According to some container gardening experts, soil mixtures or
"soil less" mixtures bring about the best results. These soil
mixtures can be obtained from commercial garden centers. Some of
the soil mixtures that are used in container gardening are Metro
Mix, Pro-Mix, Redi-Earth, Jiffy Mix, and Super Soil.
However, for budget
conscious people who still want to try
container gardening, you can opt for a more affordable soil
mixtures. That is, you'll make your very own soil mixtures.
Homemade soil mixtures are composed of one part of sharp sand or
vermiculite, one part potting soil, and one part compost. If
you're thinking of a hanging basket for your container
gardening, the soil mixture is more of lightweight materials.
The mixture is composed of equal parts of vermiculite, peat
moss, and perlite.
Generally, since container gardening uses containers that have
holes for water drainage, water retention is not that high.
That's why container gardening involves a lot of watering
especially during the hot season.
Fertilizers are also important in container gardening. Though,
this must be applied in considerable proportions since overuse
of fertilizers can do more harm than good. Too many fertilizers
may smolder and destroy your plants.
The last thing to consider is the type of plant you will use in
your container gardening. Basically, container gardening doesn't
need a special type of plant. In fact, plants that grow in a
typical backyard garden can also be used in container gardening.
If you would like to grow vegetables, you may opt for green
onions, beans, lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, parsley,
radishes, and peppers. These are the vegetables perfectly
fitting for container gardening.
If you want some flowers, you can go for Dusty Miller, Geranium,
Begonia, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum, or Shasta Daisy. Any type of
flower is suitable for container gardening.
You can also grow herbs in containers like basil, anise, dill,
coriander, and chervil. You may also want to try growing chives,
mint, tarragon, thyme, fennel, and caraway. Using herbs in
container gardening will not only offer you with a beautiful
display but can also provide you with useful herbs you can
instantly use in your cooking. What's good about that is that
you get it fresh and absolutely free.
That's why most people who go for container gardening do not
only see this as a hobby or a recreational activity. Most of
them realize that this can also be profitable and practical.
Vegetables and herbs that grow in containers can be instant
sources of ingredients in your recipes.
So, for people who still don't know the benefits container
gardening brings, now is the time for you to find it out.
Container gardening is definitely a feasible activity that
brings about a thousand benefits right in the heart of the busy
metropolis.
About the author:
Subscribe to "Gardening Secrets Unearthed" 7-part e-mail
course from http://GardeningSecretsAndTips.com! Discover the
keys to having a garden a professional landscaper would envy.
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