The growing number of urban gardeners signifies a major switch in gardening approach. No longer do people believe that growing tree, flowers, fruits or vegetables are undertakings suitable only for country dwellers. Indeed, through the magic of container planting, many urbanites are growing part of their own food!
By Esmee McCornall
Container planting is the absolute hottest trend in the garden marketplace today and rightly so. Even a small balcony, porch or patio can hold containers big enough to grow herbs, vegetables or flowers.
Containers come in all shapes and sizes: half whiskey barrels, metal, plastic or wooden planters, hanging baskets and plain old flowerpots will all work, but to make your urban container garden shine, use these guidelines for choosing appropriate containers:
Make sure that container openings are wide enough to accommodate plants and your hands; eschew containers with narrow openings.
Leave inexpensive plastic pots for less knowledgeable buyers; cheap plastic deteriorates in sunlight.
Clay and terra cotta pots are fine, but remember that they lose moisture rapidly because clay is porous. And monitor plants closely to make sure they aren’t drying out. be monitored closely for loss of moisture. Glazed ceramic pots are great choice provided they have several drainage holes so plants don’t get “wet feet”.
While redwood and cedar planters are relatively rot-resistant, any wood container can rot over time. When buying treated wood containers, avoiding those treated with creosote or other toxic compounds that create plant-damaging vapors.
Buy containers that hold anywhere from 15 to 120 quarts; smaller containers keep roots from spreading out and soil dries out too quickly in them. Vegetables and other naturally deep rooted plants require deep pots.
Just like fish in a pond, the larger the container, the larger your plants will grow. If you want to restrict growth, use smaller containers that are 15-20 quarts (generally around 12” top rim diameter). If you want to plant a shrub and have it grow substantially and flank either side of your terrace French doors, purchase larger containers that are at least 36” in diameter.
Drainage holes in any should be 1/2 inch wide. Line the inside of the pot with newspaper to allow drainage without losing soil.
If you live in a hot climate, use light-colored containers that absorb less heat to encourage root growth
Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.
To retain moisture in hanging baskets, line with sphagnum moss and keep out of direct late day sun.
Soil or Potting Mixture
Choose a planting mixture that drains rapidly but retains enough moisture so plant roots remain evenly moist. Add compost to your potting mix; if compost is not available, buy a good quality potting mixture or make your own from equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and peat moss. Remember that because potting soil mixes drain well, fertilizer also washes away more quickly and compensate for this by fertilizing your container plants more frequently than you would plants planted directly in the ground.
By Esmee McCornall
Container planting is the absolute hottest trend in the garden marketplace today and rightly so. Even a small balcony, porch or patio can hold containers big enough to grow herbs, vegetables or flowers.
Containers come in all shapes and sizes: half whiskey barrels, metal, plastic or wooden planters, hanging baskets and plain old flowerpots will all work, but to make your urban container garden shine, use these guidelines for choosing appropriate containers:
Make sure that container openings are wide enough to accommodate plants and your hands; eschew containers with narrow openings.
Leave inexpensive plastic pots for less knowledgeable buyers; cheap plastic deteriorates in sunlight.
Clay and terra cotta pots are fine, but remember that they lose moisture rapidly because clay is porous. And monitor plants closely to make sure they aren’t drying out. be monitored closely for loss of moisture. Glazed ceramic pots are great choice provided they have several drainage holes so plants don’t get “wet feet”.
While redwood and cedar planters are relatively rot-resistant, any wood container can rot over time. When buying treated wood containers, avoiding those treated with creosote or other toxic compounds that create plant-damaging vapors.
Buy containers that hold anywhere from 15 to 120 quarts; smaller containers keep roots from spreading out and soil dries out too quickly in them. Vegetables and other naturally deep rooted plants require deep pots.
Just like fish in a pond, the larger the container, the larger your plants will grow. If you want to restrict growth, use smaller containers that are 15-20 quarts (generally around 12” top rim diameter). If you want to plant a shrub and have it grow substantially and flank either side of your terrace French doors, purchase larger containers that are at least 36” in diameter.
Drainage holes in any should be 1/2 inch wide. Line the inside of the pot with newspaper to allow drainage without losing soil.
If you live in a hot climate, use light-colored containers that absorb less heat to encourage root growth
Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.
To retain moisture in hanging baskets, line with sphagnum moss and keep out of direct late day sun.
Soil or Potting Mixture
Choose a planting mixture that drains rapidly but retains enough moisture so plant roots remain evenly moist. Add compost to your potting mix; if compost is not available, buy a good quality potting mixture or make your own from equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and peat moss. Remember that because potting soil mixes drain well, fertilizer also washes away more quickly and compensate for this by fertilizing your container plants more frequently than you would plants planted directly in the ground.
The Hottest Trend in Urban Gardening: Container Planting
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