CONTAINER GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS
🌱 Take a sip into the world of gardening 🌱
What You Should Know as a Beginner Gardener
If you have a backyard area or patio, whether large or small, container gardening introduces all types of flexibility in your greenery. Whether you decide to grow plants to create an aesthetically pleasing display throughout your space, or if you enjoy adding fresh elements to your meals (yes, please!), you can definitely use gardening to maximize any living space.
You can grow several plants in containers, ranging from flowers and shrubs to fruit and vegetables. Although the options are endless, it is important to understand that container plants only thrive in the best conditions. Plants grown in containers require a bit more TLC than plants grown in soil. One downfall is that plants in containers (or pots) lack the nature-built ecosystem that in-ground plants have. This makes container gardening a little more high-maintenance, but we love a challenge!
via GIPHY
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BEGINNERS:
Location, location, location…
The right location is extremely important. Like, the-thing-between-life-and-death important. Place your containers in a place where the plants growing in them will survive. Placing your container in the wrong location can lead to plant damage and disease caused by overexposure to the sun, cold weather, wind, and pests. It is a smart practice to place plants that need more sunlight in a south or west-facing location and for plants that require less sunlight, put those in a non-elevated location or, if indoors, behind blinds. Always choose the most suitable location for each particular plant.
Pick a Container or Pot
photo by Unsplash
Plant containers vary in shapes, colors, sizes, and the materials that they are made from. You can choose to use the usual types: conventional terracotta (our personal fave), plastic, or ceramic pots. You can also utilize your creativity by using untraditional “pots” instead such as recycle tins, bathroom furniture, buckets, or whatever else you can find lying around. The most vital thing to note is that any container must have enough space to accommodate the plants’ growth, allow proper water drainage, and give them the room they require for growth. Make sure there’s drainage holes or remember to let your plants drip dry after watering—most plants hate soggy roots.
Potting Mix/Soil
You can use many types of soil to fill your container prior to planting, ranging from store-bought potting mix to homegrown compost soil. Just be sure to buy actual potting mix not ground soil (been there, done that). Potting mixes are super nutritious for your plants and help them retain moisture and grow. There’s plenty of potting mixes out there, so be sure to explore your options before investing in a huge 20lb bag.
Watering
Plants = sun + water. Container plants have limited access to moisture, unlike plants in the ground. Container plants, therefore, they will require consistent and/or frequent watering, especially on hotter days (basically everyday in Louisiana) when soil can dry out quickly.
Ensure that you water your plants at least once a day, sometimes twice a day if they need it. If accessible, place your containers in proximity to water sources, to make watering easier for you. A watering can is also a great idea for those in smaller spaces or apartments.
Fertilizers