Category: Container Gardening

container-gardening

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End of season maintenance of garden

end of season maintenance of garden

At the end of the gardening season, discard the entire contents of each container or add them to the compost pile. More often than not, the growing mix is not suitable for reuse the following season as it is deprived of all nutrients and plant roots present in the mix need time to decompose. In addition, you do not want to run the risk of spreading diseases that may be present in the mix, so it is usually best to start with a fresh batch.

Wash each container to remove any fertilizer salts and disinfect it with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution if needed. Non-porous containers (plastic) may be left outside over the winter. Porous containers retain moisture and should be brought inside to prevent them from freezing and cracking. Now is also a good time to inspect your containers and perform any necessary maintenance.

If your container garden is planted with perennials and you want to leave it outdoors over the winter months, extra care must be taken to protect your plants. Container-grown garden plants are more susceptible to freezing and must be protected from the cold; how much protection is required depends on just how cold your area gets (see the Plant Hardiness map). Snow will generally offer some insulation but mulching with leaf mold or straw works well too. Using wind screens or burying the container in the ground is also very effective. Some experimentation may be required to find the optimal solution for your climate but it is well worth the effort and will end up saving you money over time.

End of season maintenance fall
End of season maintenance spring

Vegetable Growing Sheet

vegetable growing sheet

Herbs Growing Sheet

herbs growing sheet
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Harvesting

harvesting

Enjoyment of the fruits, as well as herbs and vegetables, of your labor starts with a good harvest. Pun intended.

Herbs are best harvested just before the flower buds appear since this is when they are at their most flavorful. You’ll want to trim them such that you leave at least four inches below a pair of leaves in order to promote good regrowth.

Vegetables are best harvested as early in the morning as possible because sunlight raises their pulp temperature. The lower the pulp temperature at the time of harvest, the longer the shelf life of the harvested vegetables, so the earlier you start the better. Tomatoes are especially susceptible to chilling injuries and should never be refrigerated, while leafy greens will keep longer if picked directly into a bucket or bowl of cold water. In order to extend their life, leafy vegetables like lettuce can be harvested a few leaves at a time. Start with the outside leaves and leave the center of the plant to continue to grow.

Removing mature vegetables encourages the plant to set additional blossoms and yield more, so harvest them often. When vegetables like beans and tomatoes are allowed to over-ripen, they produce a chemical that inhibits further blossoming. As you approach the end of the growing season pinch off the last blossoms to redirect plant energy to maturing vegetables that have already set.

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Taking care of plants

taking care of plants

Watching and caring for your plants is one of the most rewarding experiences that gardening has to offer. Your first job is to ensure your plants have the necessary nutrients for them to thrive. The basics are covered in the Nutrients section.

A few other clever tricks will also help you to push your plants to reach their maximum potential. For example:

  • Flowers will bloom more abundantly if blossoms are removed as they wilt and fade. This process is referred to as dead-heading and it prevents flowers from going to seed.
  • Vegetables produce better yields if fruits are picked as they mature.
  • When choosing a container for single perennials and houseplants, choose one that is 1 or 2 inches larger all around than the previous pot. Plants do not like new pots to be too big, although they do like to be able to grow into them a little.
  • Plants that wilt even though you water them frequently may be suffering from heat stress. Try placing the container in a spot where only the leaves are exposed to direct sunlight, or insulating the pot by placing it in another larger container to create a rudimentary airpocket to help regulate temperature. Garden365 planter are double walled for that purpose.
  • Pinching out the growing tip at the top of a plant a little before it reaches its maximum height will encourage branching and bushiness, creating a fuller and healthier looking plant. This can also encourage further flowering and fruiting in some plants.
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Selection of plants for a container garden

selection of plants for container garden

With a little care, just about any type of plant can be grown successfully in a container garden but smaller plants are better adapted to thrive in containers. Vegetables and flowers can also be combined to make very attractive displays. Companion planting, covered in Natural Pest Control, is a great way to arrange plants so that they will benefit each other.

The seed packet is a good place to start when contemplating the depth and spacing requirements of your plants. If you’re planting directly in the container it is better to overseed and thin the plants later to prevent them from overcrowding. If you’re planting in seed starter kits, you won’t have to worry about depth and spacing until your seedlings have grown big enough to transplant into their container. Seeds sprout best in warm and moist conditions, so make sure they get both. Let them grow until they’re stocky enough to survive transplanting but do not let them bloom in the seed starter.

To get the most bang for your buck, you may want to overcrowd your container garden. Crowded containers definitely look more spectacular, so go big right from the start. Just keep in mind that plants in overcrowded containers will need extra organic fertilizer and micronutrients in order to thrive, and that this approach is best suited to ornamental plants and herbs, rather than vegetables that produce fruit, like tomatoes and peppers. Don’t forget that that you can always trim plants back later if needed.

selection of plants for container garden
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Importance of Drainage in container gardening

Importance of Drainage in container gardening

Drainage is especially important when it comes to container gardening. Excess water around their roots can deprive plants of oxygen, eventually drowning them. Similarly, a moist oxygen-deprived environment is the ideal breeding ground for root-killing molds. Make sure your growing medium drains well (see Growing Medium) and that your containers have ample drainage holes. One of the handy features of specialized containers is that they have threaded drainage ports which can be opened or closed as needed. This allows you to close the drainage port when you bring your container garden indoors and vice versa. You can also use the ports with automatic watering systems or to control where water drains.

There is a lot of debate in the gardening world about the use of a drainage layer made of stones or pebbles at the bottom of container gardens. In my opinion, this is unnecessary and deprives plants of much needed growing space. This layer may also retain moisture, causing more problems than anything. Using a properly formulated container gardening growing medium is a much better option.

If you’re gardening on a deck or patio, be mindful of where containers are draining. Excess moisture underneath your planter can damage wooden decks and runoff can stain various surfaces. Elevate your container gardens to provide airflow and eliminate moisture issues. There are plenty of elevated and mobile container gardening solutions out there and they’re well worth the investment. You can also make your own stand if you’re DIY inclined.

Importance of Drainage in container gardening
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Growing medium for container gardening

Growing medium for container gardening

In order to grow healthy plants, a growing medium must be able to consistently supply water and nutrients, as well as, provide a structure in which your plants can take root. There are two categories of growing mediums typically used in container gardening: soil mixtures and soil-less mixtures.

Soil mixtures, which are widely referred to as potting mixes, are often heavy and hold water and nutrients more easily than soil-less mixtures. They are traditionally composed from soil, compost or peat moss, and vermiculite or perlite. Composted manure can also be added to soil mixtures to increase water-holding capacity and the abundance of nutrients.

These mixtures are typically cheaper than soil-less mixtures, and those that contain compost or composted manure require fewer applications of fertilizers and micro-nutrients because they already contain the majority of nutrients that your plants will need to grow.

However, I generally discourage the use of soil mixtures in container gardening because they are prone to compacting, which can inhibit root growth, affect aeration, and cause poor drainage. They are much heavier than soil-less mixtures making moving and handling container gardens more difficult. Soil mixtures are also more likely to contain weeds, seeds and disease, particularly when they contain compost or unpasteurized soil. The flaws seem to outweigh the benefits in most cases so soil-less mixtures are a better option for container gardening.

Growing medium for container gardening

As the name suggests, soil-less potting mixtures do not contain soil. Instead, they are commonly made from sphagnum moss, peat moss, coconut coir fiber, perlite or vermiculite. This type of growing medium is sterile, offering the added benefit of being weed, seed, bacteria and disease free. For most gardeners, this offers the assurance that your seedlings will not be susceptible to attack by pre-existing diseases and organisms, allowing your plants to thrive.

Potting soil-less mixtures are lighter than traditional soil mixtures, which make them a good choice for raised container gardens and vertical gardens, which have the potential to buckle under heavy loads. Lighter medium also means less compaction, greater aeration, and more consistent drainage. Because soil-less mixtures can be created from a variety of components, they allow you to customize the physical structure of the soil to meet specific plant needs.

In comparison to soil mixtures, soil-less mixtures do require more frequent applications of organic fertilizers and micro-nutrients, as they often lack the full range of nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. However, this factor can actually be an advantage because by ensuring that your plants’ specific nutrient needs are being met, you are also ensuring that your plant will yield abundant produce of the highest quality. Keep in mind that careful attention must be paid to the level of salts present in fertilizers to prevent buildup in container gardens. It should also be noted that due to the ease with which soil-less mixtures drain, fertilizers and micro-nutrients may need to be applied regularly.

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Container gardening and size of Container

Container gardening and size of Containers

When it comes to container gardening, size can make all the difference. The general rule of thumb is: the bigger the better. Plants need plenty of room to spread their roots in order to thrive.

When growing vegetables in particular, the best yields are obtained when plants are grown in a container which as at least half as deep as the plant’s mature height. Therefore, most vegetables require containers that hold 6 to 8 inches of potting mix. Tomatoes, squashes and other large plants require deeper containers, as do root crops such as carrots and beets. However, the growing medium in deeper containers is more prone to compacting, so 12 to 15 inches is all you really need to grow most plants. Even fruits like lemons, blueberries and papaya can be grown in containers of this size with regular attention.

Large containers are also more forgiving as the extra soil or growing medium provides insulation for the plants’ roots; they are less likely to dry out than smaller containers, and also take longer to heat up on sunny summer days, preventing heat stress and wilting. However, there is an obvious trade-off between size and portability, so chose the container that best accommodates your needs. There are many dwarf varieties of plants that have been developed specifically for container gardening and are more likely to thrive in smaller containers if your place can’t accomodate a larger one.

Container gardening and size of container
Container gardening and size of containers

Recommended minimum container size for various plants

NamesHanging planterSmall 4”-6” planterMedium 8”-12” planterLarge >12” planter
VEGETABLES
BEANS (BUSH)green tickgreen tick
BEANS (POLE)green tickgreen tickgreen tick
BEETSgreen tick
BROCCOLIgreen tick
CABBAGEgreen tick
CARROTSgreen tickgreen tick
CAULIFLOWERgreen tick
CORNgreen tick
CUCUMBERSgreen tickgreen tick
EGGPLANTgreen tickgreen tick
LETTUCEgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
MELONSgreen tick
ONIONSgreen tickgreen tick
PEASgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
PEPPERSgreen tickgreen tick
RADISHESgreen tickgreen tick
SPINACHgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
SQUASHgreen tick
SWISS CHARDgreen tickgreen tick
TOMATOgreen tickgreen tick
CHERRY TOMATOgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
TURNIPSgreen tickgreen tick
HERBS
BASILgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
CHIVESgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
DILLgreen tickgreen tick
LAVENDERgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
MINTgreen tickgreen tick
PARSLEYgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
ROSEMARYgreen tickgreen tick
SAGEgreen tickgreen tick
SUMMER SAVORYgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
WINTER SAVORYgreen tickgreen tick
THYMEgreen tickgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
FLOWERS
ANNUALS <12” IN HEIGHTgreen tickgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
ANNUALS >12” IN HEIGHTgreen tickgreen tick
ANNUAL VINESgreen tickgreen tickgreen tickgreen tick
PERENNIALSgreen tickgreen tick
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Containers for Container Gardening

containers for Container Gardening

One of the most exciting aspects of container gardening is the huge number of container options available to suit your gardening needs. Almost any type of container can be used for gardening as long as it large enough and provides for adequate drainage. You can choose from sleek ready-made container gardens, re-purpose an existing container, or make your own from various materials such as wood or concrete. Look for containers that are:

  • Large enough to sustain the plants you are trying to grow;
  • Offer good drainage; and
  • Are appropriate for your gardening space.

The material that containers are made of plays an important role in the rate at which water evaporated from the soil or other medium that sustains your plants. Containers typically fall into two categories: porous and non-porous.

Plastic, metal, glass and glazed ceramic containers are non-porous and are great for outdoor use because they slow the rate at which water will evaporate from the container. This means that your plants will have more consistent access to moisture, and you will have to water them less often. In addition, non-porous containers can be left outdoors over winter because they don’t absorb water and are therefore less likely to crack when temperatures dip below freezing.

Porous containers, such as those made of clay, fabric and wood, are all popular options but do require a little extra care. They’re not as good at slowing evaporation and as a result require more frequent watering. Since they do absorb water, it is better not to leave them outdoors over winter in colder zones where temperatures dip below freezing.

If you do decide to go with a wooden container, stay away from pressure-treated lumber; it is impregnated with toxic chemicals which are likely to leach into the soil, and can be absorbed by plants. The same can be said for shipping crates, which are often used to make small vertical gardens. Safer options include redwood and red cedar, both of which are naturally water resistant and make an excellent choice for container gardening. Other types of wood may also be used, but should be sealed or lined with plastic in order to decrease evaporation and prevent the wood from rotting.

One of the main advantages of using containers specifically designed for container gardening is that they provide handy features that are not otherwise available in conventional pots. Many solutions are mobile so they can be taken indoors during the colder months, or moved around to receive maximum sunlight. Self-watering and wicking containers, which help to reduce the evaporation of water, are also widely available. Elevated gardens are easier on the knees and back and are generally more enjoyable to use. They’re also an excellent choice for decks and balconies where railings screen out the sun. Vertical and hanging planters are great for making better use of space and can be used to grow many plants upside-down. The images below depict some of the many different options available today.

containers for Container Gardening Regular Plant Pot
Regular Plant Pot
containers for Container Gardening Buckets
Buckets
containers for Container Gardening Container Garden Planter
Garden Planter
containers for Container Gardening Hanging Garden
Hanging Garden
containers for Container Gardening Elevated Garden
Elevated Garden
containers for Container Gardening Mini Elevated Garden
Mini Elevated Garden
containers for Container Gardening Mobile Garden
Mobile Garden
containers for Container Gardening Mini Mobile Garden
Mini Mobile Garden
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Location for Container Gardening

locations for containers gardening

In real estate and gardening alike, location is of critical importance. You may not always get a choice but if you do, try to locate your container garden in an area that:

  • receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day;
  • has good air circulation but is not too windy;
  • is close to a water source; and
  • has convenient access to tools and equipment.

Light is the most important of the above considerations by far. Most plants require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day so choose your location accordingly if possible. If you’re gardening indoors, South facing windows offer the most light. If gardening location options are limited, you can always supplement the sunlight received by your Indoor garden with artificial growlights designed to mimic natural sunlight. These are readily available at most garden centres and hydroponic supply stores.

location for container gardening
locations for container gardening

If you’re gardening outdoors, keep track of shadows cast by the house, trees, railings, and any other obstacles. If such obstacles are unavoidable, consider gardening in elevated or mobile containers in order to ensure that your plants receive sufficient sunlight. Containers are very versatile and are one of the most flexible gardening solutions to suit all conditions and spaces. They will easy adapt to your gardening needs.

Location Hardiness Map

The North America Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a particular location.

Location for Container Gardening- hardiness map
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Couples Gardening For Better Overall Health

couples gardening for better health

Couples Gardening For Better Overall Health:

Many men and women love to garden and they typically gain substantial health benefits from the process. Gardening is a great hobby for couples to do together. It serves to get partners moving together and it helps to reduce stress and other mental health issues. It may take a bit of work for find the right rhythm in gardening as a couple, but the rewards can be substantial.

Plan ahead to keep gardening with your partner harmonious

Female First suggests that couples take some time to discuss their plans before planting a garden together. For example, you may want to discuss what type of garden you plan to have, whether it be focused on vegetables, fruits, flowers, or a combination of items. It can also be helpful to discuss the various tasks related to garden upkeep and determine who is responsible for what so nothing is overlooked and nobody gets frustrated over something not getting done.

Some pairs may decide to divide the gardening space so that each partner can do as they please with their space. NPR details that it can be challenging for partners to agree on aesthetics in a garden plan as everybody’s personal taste and style plays a role in how the space is utilized and what plans are chosen. While there are benefits to partners sharing a gardening space and plan, breaking the space up may work best in some scenarios.

Of course, working together successfully on a shared area can bring a major sense of accomplishment and the process of deciding what to plant where can bring an opportunity to work on problem-solving as a couple. As the Statesman Journal shares, gardening is also a great outlet for socializing and it can provide much-needed time for busy couples to reconnect and communicate with one another.

An ideal outlet for physical exercise with a partner

Many couples like to find physical activities they can do together, but different skill levels or interests can make traditional workouts challenging to do in pairs. According to Prevention, couples who tackle a fitness program together are more likely to stick with it in comparison to going it alone. Gardening is an ideal physical activity to do as a couple, as each partner can easily dig in at different paces and nobody gets frustrated trying to keep up.

Whether a couple works side-by-side on planting, weeding, and tending to the plants or they divide and conquer with each partner taking on different tasks, everybody gets to be active and benefit from some quality exercise. It may come as a surprise to some, but gardening can provide a serious workout for both men and women. For example, the Daily Mail notes that research has shown that three hours of gardening can provide similar results to an intense hour of working out in the gym.

Gardening sparks substantial mental health improvements too

The physical benefits that come from gardening can do wonders for couples, but the mental health benefits may be even more substantial. Study results shared via NCBI detailed that gardening can significantly reduce feelings of depression. While exercise in general has a major impact on improving one’s mental health and decreasing depression, gardening seems to have a particularly positive effect on one’s mental well-being, and this can have a significant impact on a couple’s overall relationship.

Gardening is a great activity for couples looking to connect with one another in a relaxing setting, and it provides an opportunity for physical activity too. Not only can couples improve their physical health by gardening together, but they can improve their mental health and reduce stress levels and issues with depression and addiction as well. In fact, some would say that gardening may well be the total package when it comes to an activity that partners can enjoy together while also improving their overall health.

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Pro Flower Container Ideas and Tips

Growing flowers in containers

Pro Flower Container Ideas and Tips:

I hope these flower container ideas and tips spark your imagination. Let’s start by covering some basics. Flowers typically fall into two categories; annuals and perennials. Large outdoor planters are the perfect way to grow these living bouquets! Many are easy to grow from seed, meaning that you can experiment with a variety of different types of flowers very economically, and even save your own seed. Annuals are often purchased as pre-planted flowering pots. Countless varieties are available at hardware stores, supermarkets, and garden centers. These plants can add instant color to a container garden, and are an excellent way to quickly replace an under-performing plant in an otherwise stunning display. However, because they have usually begun flowering well before we buy them, they do not bloom for as long as plants grown from seed nor are they as hardy.

In order to extend the life of your flower displays, keep the spent flowers trimmed off. This is called “deadheading.” Removing the flowers before they can set seed encourages the plant to produce even more flowers. Flowers make excellent displays on their own, or can be combined with herbs and vegetables for a stunning and edible display! Edible flowers, like nasturtiums and pansies, make a fantastic addition to summer salads. Because annuals live only one season, you can choose a new look for your container each year. When you design your annual container, keep in mind these flower container ideas and tips:

  • Consider foliage plants with interesting shapes, colors, or textures as the “background” of your composition.
  • Keep the color wheel in mind: If you want the colors to pop, choose colors from opposite sides of the wheel—like purple and yellow. If you want a more soothing look, choose analogous colors—those that are next to each other—like shades of pink and pastel oranges.
  • Shapes of flowers add interest to the arrangement. Use a variety for best results.
  • If plants get leggy or overgrow the container, trim them back. When they are truly spent, did them up gently and replace them.
  • Plant more flowers than you would normally plant in a garden. You want to keep the bloom dramatic.

Good choices for containers in sunny spots are marigolds, geraniums, sunflowers and petunias. In part-shade, alyssum, lobelia, nemesia and nicotiana all bloom well. In very shady areas, try impatiens, pansies and violas. Perennial foliage plants like yucca and lamb’s ear, or attractive herbs like lavender, mint and thyme, make excellent foliage plants as the “background” to a composition.

Popular Flower Choices

Below is a list of 25 popular choices suitable for container gardening:

flower container ideas

Share Your Flower Container Ideas

I hope this article sparked some flower container ideas and I would love nothing more than for you to share them with us. Nothing sparks creativity like inspiring images of beautiful arrangements. Please use the form below to share your creations with the rest of our community. Thank you for stopping by.

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Growing Perennials In Containers

Growing Perennials in Containers

Growing Perennials In Containers:

Perennials are plants that die back to their roots in winter and grow back again in the spring, year after year. Growing perennials in containers is not difficult. There are lots of beautiful perennials to plant. Many perennials bloom for a long time. Another advantage of perennials is that they save you money over time because you don’t have to buy new plants every year.

Care of perennials is similar to that of other plants. One difference is that if growth becomes less vigorous after a few years. When your plant starts looking weaker, it needs to be divided. This means that when the plant is dormant (not in the active growing season) it should be dug up refresh the root ball. The procedure is simple. You dig up the root ball and cut or pull apart the clump of roots. Keep the younger, healthier-looking parts of the roots and replant them in the soil. Your perennial may appear a little weaker right after division, but will bounce back with a burst of vigor.

Perennials

Perennials can do very well in container gardens. If you live in a very cold climate, the delicate perennial root system can freeze over the winter. Always choose plants that are suitable for your growing zone and use large containers. The larger the container, the better chance the plant will have to survive the cold. If you live in a warm climate, planting the perennial in the fall gives it a good chance to develop a strong root system over the winter for spring growth.

Popular Perennials For Containers

Below is a list of 25 popular choices suitable for container gardening. Perennials that grow and are more likely to survive the winter frost in containers include salvia, campanula, phlox, scabiosa, and daylilies.

Growing Perennials In Containers

Growing Perennials In Containers

Growing perennials in containers is rewarding year after year. Beautify your home with a gorgeous floral arrangement. You can also grow many different edible plants. Whichever route you choose, container gardens are an excellent way to grow these very resilient plants.

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Hanging Tomato Planter Setup

hanging tomato planter

Hanging Tomato Planter Setup:

Hanging tomato planters will make growing tomatoes on your deck, balcony, or patio a cinch. They offer many advantages over conventional planters. Tomato plants can grow very large and require a lot of support to keep the vine from failing under its own weight. Hanging tomato planters eliminate that problem. Plants in conventional planters are also prone to getting damaged by getting knocked over by accidental bumps, gusts of wind, and boisterous pets or kids. A hanging tomato planter will put your plants out of harm’s way.

I designed the Garden365 Hanging Garden specifically for growing tomatoes upside down. There are many hanging tomato planter choices on the market but none offer the same blend of function, versatility, and style. I tested them all. My patented design offers the ability to grow plants on top and bottom, a large water and soil volume, and a very versatile hanging bracket. You can hang it on just about any wall, railing, or fence (including chain link).

Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Installation

Planting Tomatoes Upside Down

Planting and growing tomatoes in the Garden365 hanging tomato planter is easy. Start by removing the drainage platform from the planter. Fold back the triangular plant clamps. If your plants are large, plant clamps can be cut off altogether. Place the drainage platform back in the planter.

Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Drainage Platform
Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Drainage Platform Details
Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter View From Above

Remove your tomato plant from the blister pack and break apart its roots. Roots should be free to grow in all directions as shown below.

Tomato Plant Root Preparation

Push the roots through the planter and the drainage platform. This step may take a bit of patience with larger plants, depending on the size of the root bulb.

Inserting Tomato Plant into Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter

Once the root bulb is inside the hanging tomato planter, fill it with a quality potting mix. Soil-less potting mixtures offer many advantages over conventional soils, especially when it comes to growing tomatoes in pots.

Roots of Tomato Plant Inside Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter

Hang your planted hanging tomato planter on the fence or wall. At this point you can plant other plants in the top. Tomato plants are demanding and are best paired with less demanding herbs. Some good companions include chives, basil, or oregano.

Hanging Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter On Fence

Hanging Tomato Planter Examples

A hanging tomato planter is a great option for any urban gardener or gardenista. Tomatoes are not the only plants that can be grown upside down. There are many other choices worth experimenting with. Here are several images kindly shared with me by some of the early users of the Garden365 Hanging Garden along with some of my own.

Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Example
Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Example
Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Example
Garden365 Hanging Tomato Planter Example
Thank you for taking the time to view my post. Please use comment section below to post photos or share your experiences with hanging tomato planters. I’d love to hear all about it. Let’s grow happily ever after.

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Growing Tomatoes in Pots and Containers

growing tomatoes in pots

Growing Tomatoes in Pots and Containers:

Growing tomatoes in pots is a great way to make the most of your patio or balcony garden. With a bit of care, growing tomatoes in pots can yield sweet, large and delicious fruit. Start with the right variety of tomato plants. Tomatoes can be demanding and not all varieties do well in containers. Cherry tomatoes are hardy and are an excellent choice. Other varieties of tomato plants have been bred specifically for container gardening. Some good container tomato varieties include:

Most reputable garden centers usually offer several different container tomato varieties. Finding one should not be a problem.

Growing tomatoes in pots - popular varieties.

Use a Soil-less Potting Mix

Choosing the best potting soil for your pot is also very important. I recommend soil-less mixes for container gardening because they’re light. They also provide good aeration and drainage. They’re not as nutrient rich as soil based mixtures so periodic use of organic fertilizers is highly recommended when growing tomatoes in pots.

Morning Sunlight is Best

Tomato plants love sunlight and should get at least 6 to 8 hours of it per day. Morning sunlight is better than harsh afternoon sunlight. Study your space and choose a location accordingly. Pots are easy to relocate so growing tomatoes in pots makes it easy to experiment with different locations.

Water Regularly

Water tomatoes regularly and don’t let your pots dry out. Larger pots are more forgiving in this respect and many offer a self watering feature. Water your plants at the soil line because plants absorb water through the roots. Moisture on leaves can also lead to problems. Watering in the morning is most recommended.

Use a Large Pot

When it comes to growing tomatoes in pots, not all pots are created equal. A large pot will provide more nutrient rich growing mix so your plants are more likely to thrive. They’re also less likely to dry out on hot summer days. My hanging garden was designed specifically for this purpose so it’s always a good choice. There are many other large pots you can choose. Look for a large pot with good drainage.

Grow Tomatoes Upside Down

Growing tomatoes upside down offers several advantages over growing them right side up. Tomato plants are vines and vines have to be supported by staking or caging. An upside down tomato planter eliminates the need for support. Plants hang freely and are less likely to break under their own weight. Also keep in mind that tomato plants can grow very large. Growing them upside down puts them out of harm’s way. They’re far less likely to get knocked over and injured by an accidental bump, gust of wind, or a boisterous pet or child.

Growing tomatoes in pots with Garden365 Hanging Garden

Growing Tomatoes in Pots

Growing tomatoes in pots is a great way to grow these delicious fruits. Following above guidelines will help you to grow large healthy plants. Using the right pots for the job will make that job much easier. Please consider my Hanging Garden Planter which was designed specifically for this purpose.

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Container Gardening For Beginners

couples gardening for better health

Container Gardening For Beginners:

Container gardening is a great way for beginners to get growing. Many popular herbs, vegetables, and flowering plants can be grown with ease in container gardens. The first step starts by deciding what you want to grow. Just about everything commonly grown by gardeners can be grown successful in containers. Herbs are perhaps the easiest plants for container gardening for beginners to start with. Growing tomatoes in pots is always a great choice. Once you decide on what you want to grow, it is time to connect the rest of the dots. Here’s a summary of the general guidelines for container gardening for beginners.

container gardening for beginners

Choose The Right Potting Mix

Choosing the right potting mix is essencially important when it comes to container gardening. There are many potting mixtures to choose from. Choose a mixture that is best suited to what you want to grow. This will ensure your plants get the right combination of essential minerals and organic materials they need to grow. As a general rule of thumb your soil should be well aerated, not compacted. It should feel almost fluffy as it sifts through your hands. Soil that is not well aerated or too densely compacted may have problems draining. This can lead to problems with the health of your plant’s root systems. There are special mixtures formulated for container gardening for beginners that come enriched with fertilizers. They’re a good place to start.

Choose The Right Gardening Container

Choosing the right container garden planter is very important. Portable planters can extend the growing season since you can move them indoors and outdoors as needed. Some plants are sticklers when it comes to their ideal growing temperatures so having a portable planter at your disposal is very handy.

Elevated planters are great for growing on balconies or patios. They’re higher up so they’re not shaded by railings and are more comfortable to garden in. Your lower back and knees will love them. They’re also less accessible to common garden pests, weeds, as well as, house pets. As such, they cut down on maintenance quite a bit. They’re a great container gardening option for beginners and experts alike.

Vertical gardening planters are a great choice if you’re tight on space. They’re especially handy if you’re interested in growing tomatoes. Growing tomatoes upside down offers many advantages over growing them right side up. Upside down tomato planters eliminate need to support the vine. They’re a must have if you have pets.

container gardening for beginners

Pick the Right Spot

The old adage that a gardener with a green thumb can grow anything is not always true. Some plants just simply don’t do well under certain conditions.
Find out how much light your plants require and choose a growing spot accordingly. Most plants come with a tag which specifies their light and growing requirements. If your location choices are limited, a good container can offer unique options. For example, if you’re growing plants on a balcony which is shaded by a railing, an elevated or vertical garden planter may be a good way to go.

container gardening for beginners

The Right Amount of Water is Essential

Water is the source of life. The trick is getting the right amount of water your plants require right. Before you even begin, make sure your planter has proper drainage to reduce the chance of root rot. Overwatering your plants is a common beginner mistake. It leads to many critical root problems and should be avoided at all cost. It is usually best to let the soil in your container to dry between watering.

container gardening for beginners

Container Gardening for Beginners

In summary, container gardening starts with choosing what you want to grow. A potting mixture must then be chosen to best suit the needs of your plants. A suitable growing spot along with an appropriate container garden planter must then be selected to meet the sunlight needs of your chosen plants. Last, but not least, your plants must be watered according to the needs of your plants.

Thank you for reading my article on container gardening for beginners. I hope you found my advice helpful enough to get you started. As always, I invite you to share your experiences, comments, and suggestions with me using the form below.

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Organic Garden Pest Control For Container Gardens

organic garden pest control for container gardens

Organic Garden Pest Control For Container Gardens:

Organic garden pest control is a great way to grow healthy plants without the use of harsh chemicals. There is no shortage of tiny, opportunistic insects ready to invade your garden. With planning and basic care these pests can be managed without sacrificing your favorite plants. Here are few tips for organic garden pest control.

Prevention

The easiest form of organic garden pest control is prevention. Container gardens offer a unique advantage over earthbound gardens in that they can be moved and sterilized with ease. Pest control doesn’t have to be hard. Try planning your pest management methods as you plan for your new garden each spring. Companion planting is a great way to grow plants such that they repel different pests.

The first step in organic garden pest control is to wash your container gardens thoroughly. Washing helps to ensure that no insect eggs are present in the container as you begin to plant. Next, consider using a sterile potting mixture. This will prevent insects and their eggs from being transplanted from the soil into your garden.

Many garden pests enter your home and garden with new plants. Insects will often hitch a ride on store bought plants, so check them thoroughly before purchasing. Check the undersides of leaves as they are often a hiding place for small insects and their eggs. If you purchase a plant with signs of insect damage wash the plant thoroughly to ensure that all pests are gone. Delay planting a plant that shows signs of recent infestation to ensure it will not infest other plants in your garden.

Locate your plants in a room, balcony, or patio according to the conditions they grow best in. When left in the proper environment, plants will thrive and are more likely to resist infestation by insects. If you notice your plants are looking spindly or wilted, move the container garden. Having a mobile container garden is especially handy in this case

Treatment

Many of the large insect pests such as tomato hornworms and caterpillars can be removed by hand. Make sure you wash your hands after touching infested plants. It is all too easy for an intrepid aphid to hitch a ride on your fingertips to a new container garden. Tools should also be cleansed after working in an infested garden. Use a garden hose to wash down plants infected with smaller bugs such as aphids.  The stream of water emitted from the hose will remove most insects.

Plants that have severe infestations should be removed from planters to prevent further infestation. Keep an eye on the remaining plants to ensure that they do not show signs of pest damage before replanting.

organic garden pest control - common garden pests

Organic Garden Pest Control

Knowledge is power in organic garden pest control. Get to know your common garden pests before choosing an appropriate treatment. Use the handy reference guide above to identify the culprits. Having a better understanding of their life cycle will help ensure successful management. There are a number of unique organic gardening products on the market to help treat insect infestations when physical removal does not work. Choose products carefully and be sure to read the label thoroughly before use. Take extra care in choosing products to use on edible plants. As always, please share your tips for organic garden pest control using the comment form below.

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Making organic fertilizer instructions

organic fertilizer

Making organic fertilizer instructions:

It doesn’t matter how expansive your raised garden is. Whether you only have a small container garden, or even if you are exclusively an indoor gardening enthusiast. Your plants can all benefit from the use of an organic fertilizer. There are numerous organic fertilizers for sale at any garden center; however making your own fertilizer is possible. Making organic fertilizer is more cost effective, even if you have a more limited urban living space.

Go Natural while making organic fertilizer

An organic fertilizer is one which has its origins in all natural and renewable resources. This means no harmful chemicals or other non-natural additives have been included in the creation of the fertilizer. As an informed container gardening enthusiast, you are well aware of the dangers of using chemicals on your plants and in your home.  Especially if you are growing edible plants, you can feel safe in knowing where your fertilizer came from and that its 100% organic. The benefits of making organic fertilizer for your raised garden go beyond this reason, however.

  • Soil Improvement: Fertilizing composts can add to the soils ability to retain and drain moisture. This is essential for a container garden. The quality of the soil in your elevated garden can be improved greatly with the added nutrients organic fertilizers bring with them. If your soil is healthy then your plants will be healthy.
  • Easy & Inexpensive: Making organic fertilizer at home is a lot easier and a lot more budget-friendly than you may have thought it to be. Buying organic fertilizers from your garden center can be rather costly, especially if you have a fairly large collection in your container garden. With just a few simple and inexpensive tools, you can make your own!
  • Reducing Waste: Do you recycle tin cans and cardboard from your home? Let’s hope so. Do you throw out the left over organic materials produced in your home? Coffee grounds, eggshells, newspapers, and vegetable waste often just end up in landfills. If you opt to incorporate these organic-based materials into your homemade fertilizers, you’ll be doing your part for the health of your plants and for the planet!

Here few dos and don’ts while making organic fertilizer.

Start With the Right Container for making organic fertilize

There are several types of composters available. These range in price from the extremely budget-friendly to the less-than-budget-friendly. There are also several composters designed to fit under your kitchen sink. This makes them an ideal choice for if you live in an apartment or town home. These little composters will happily accept all of your household compostable scraps and transform them into organic fertilizer. Your plants will simply love these fertilizers.

making organic fertilizer

There are a few things you avoid sticking while making organic fertilizer:

  • Meat should never be used to make an organic fertilizer, especially for a container garden. Not only are you risking the spreading of various harmful bacteria, but you run the risk of attracting insects.
  • Animal waste is not a good idea to add to your homemade fertilizer for much the same reasons as you should avoid adding meat. The waste from animals like rabbits, horses, and cows might be okay to use but it should come from a reputable source and should be composted for up to six months, preferably outdoors.
  • Dairy products are another item to avoid adding to your organic fertilizer. The smell of these, especially if you are indoor gardening, will be enough to remind you of the reasons to avoid dairy products! Dairy also includes bacteria that shouldn’t be introduced into your compost.

These all things play a great role in making organic fertilizer. You can use these homemade fertilizer with all the container gardens.

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Growing Anti inflammatory herbs

growing herbs

Growing Anti Inflammatory Herbs:

Anti inflammatory herbs make an excellent addition to your garden and dinner table. These delicious plants are rich in bioflavonoids and polyphenols. Both of these beneficial substances help reduce free-radical production in the body. Anti inflammatory herbs can be added to your diet in several ways. Making herbal tea can be refreshing and comforting. Seasoning cooked meals is always a good option. However, eating freshly picked herbs is most effective in reducing inflammation so consider adding them to your salad. You can also use them raw as a garnish. Adding a fresh leaf of mint to your chocolate dessert won’t turn it into a healthy meal but it’s not a bad place to start. One of the best aspects of growing anti inflammatory herbs is that you do not need a large garden. These hardy plants are easy to grow in container gardens all year long. Let’s take a look at the most popular anti inflammatory herbs.

Parsley

Parsley is rich in vitamins E and B6. It can be used to add flavor to any number of meals, including stews and pastas. This sun loving herb prefers at least six hours of full sun. Your parsley will flourish by a sunny window. If your ledge is not wide enough for a planter, consider using a raised container garden. Parsley comes in many varieties so have some fun with two or more different types.

Rosemary

This popular herb is incredibly heat-tolerant. It can also winter well outdoors. Rosemary is a foodie favorite. It is both aromatic and flavorful and can breathe life into various dishes. Sprigs of rosemary can also be used to add a lovely aromatic fragrance to your home.

Basil

Basil is a sun loving herb. It prefers temperatures over 40 degrees Fahrenheit and will flourish outdoors in the summer. Take it indoors over winter but ensure that it gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Basil is an excellent addition to your container garden for its companion planting benefits as well.

Mint

Just about all gardeners can agree that mint is best suited for container gardens. This anti inflammatory herb will grow wildly and has a tendency to spread if left unbound. Mint can be used to flavor curries. It is also great as a garnish for chocolate desserts. Tea lovers will surely enjoy the refreshing benefits of mint tea. Fresh mint is your best option but it can also be dried or frozen

Chives

A must-have for any kitchen, chives are also very easy to grow. They can be grown indoors or outdoors. These hardy herbs can be used to flavor anything from eggs to stews. Remember, like most herbs, the more you cut the more they grow. Chives a herb that keeps on giving.

Anti Inflammatory Herbs

Freshly picked anti inflammatory herbs are not only delicious, they’re full of health benefits. It makes sense to grow them year round if possible. You can grow them just about anywhere although mobile container gardens make it especially easy to move them in and out of the house. If an outdoor garden is your only option, consider drying or freezing your summer harvest of anti inflammatory herbs for use over winter. They won’t be as fresh or beneficial but it’s still better than nothing. Whatever option you choose, these herbs are sure to thrive in your capable hands and will help you thrive in return.

Written by: Tom Korzeniowski
Garden365 | Founder

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Best potting soil for Container Gardening

best potting soil

Best Potting Soil For Container Gardening:

The first step to creating a flourishing planter is to choosing the best potting soil that will work with you. In order to grow healthy plants, a growing medium must be able to consistently supply water and nutrients as well as provide a structure in which your plants can take root. There are two categories of growing mediums to choose from; potting soil mixtures and potting soil-less mixtures.

choosing the best potting soil

Potting Soil Mixtures

Soil mixtures are often heavy and hold water and nutrients more easily than soilless mixtures.  They are traditionally composed from soil, compost or peat moss and vermiculite or perlite. Composted manure can also be added to soil mixtures to increase water holding capacity and the abundance of nutrients. Soil mixtures do come with a few disadvantages. First, soil mixtures are prone to compacting, which can inhibit root growth, aeration, and cause poor drainage.

They are also more likely to contain weeds, seeds and disease, especially when they contain compost or unpasteurized soil (Source 2).

Potting soil mixtures are more appropriate for garden beds, or when needing to add extra organic material to an existing garden. Due to their weight, they are not appropriate for a movable container garden, but can be used in a stationary planter. Potting soil mixtures rarely require the addition of fertilizers due to the presence of pre-existing nutrients and minerals.

choosing the best potting soil

Potting Soil-less Mixtures

As the name suggests, soil-less potting mixtures do not contain soil. Instead, they are commonly made from sphagnum moss, peat moss, coconut coir fiber, perlite or vermiculite. This type of growing medium is sterile, offering the added benefit of being weed, seed, bacteria and disease free. For most gardeners, this offers the assurance that your seedlings will not be susceptible to attack by pre-existing diseases and organisms, allowing your plants to thrive.

Potting soil-less mixtures are lighter than traditional soil mixtures, which make them a good choice for raised container gardens which have the potential to buckle under heavy loads. Lighter soil also means less compaction, greater aeration, and consistent drainage). Because soil-less mixtures can be created from a variety of components, they allow you to customize the physical structure of the soil to meet specific plant needs

Unlike potting soil mixtures, potting soil-less mixtures often lack the full range of nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. For this reason additional organic fertilizers and micro-nutrients will need to be added to meet the nutrient needs of your plants. Careful attention must be paid to the level of salts present in fertilizers to prevent buildup in container gardens. It should also be noted that due to the ease with which soil-less mixtures drain, fertilizers and micro-nutrients may need to be applied regularly.

Best Potting Soil Mix

Now that you have the facts about best potting soil and best potting soil-less mixtures you might be wondering which to choose? The key to making the “right” choice for your garden is to look at the type of planter you are choosing and the type of plants that you wish to grow. If you’re growing in a small, raised container garden, you might want to try a soil-less potting mix for its light weight and sterile quality. However, if you’re growing plants that require a large proportion of organic matter in a stationary planter, a soil based potting mixture would probably be the right choice for your garden.

Take your time planning out your new container garden or redesigning a pre-existing one. You’ll be amazed by what the proper growing medium can do for your plants!

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Edible Flowers List: Tasty Colorful Blooms For Your Garden

edible flowers

Edible Flowers’ List: Tasty Colorful Blooms For Your Garden:

Flowers are the perfect complement to container gardens. We hope our edible flowers list makes it easier for you to incorporate them. Brightly colored and sweetly scented, they liven up any green space, especially patios and balconies. But a culinary delicacy as well? Why not? Some special blooms can also liven up salads, cakes and punch bowls.

The Edible Flowers List of Precautions

Like wild mushrooms, you wouldn’t want to start munching down on any old flower. Do your research before tasting any unknown blossoms, because they’re certainly not all edible. And do make sure your breakfast bouquet hasn’t been sprayed by chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Preparation

Edible flowers can be enjoyed raw, cooked and candied straight from the garden. The blossoms should be used soon after harvesting to preserve their taste and appearance. Wash the blooms gently and remove the stems, stamens, pistils and sepals of the flowers before serving. These can lend a bitter taste to otherwise sweet blossoms. Don’t remove the sepals from johnny-jump-ups, violas and pansies, or the flavours in these particular flowers won’t fully blossom.

The Edible Flowers List : Our top 5

5. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)

Kicking off our edible flowers list is the vibrant nasturtium flower. Popping up in bright shades of red, orange and yellow, these blooms add a peppery bite to salads. Plant them in direct sunlight to achieve maximum blossom potential. Don’t use fertilizers in these outdoor gardens. They’ll cause nasturtiums to grow many leaves but few flowers. Use fertilizers sparingly in indoor gardens.

4. Violet (Viola Odorata)

Care for a side of flower with your afternoon tea? These perky, sweet tasting perennials can be eaten fresh or candied and come in at number 4 on our edible flowers list.  Blooming from April to May, violets prosper in moist, well-drained soil in sunny to partly shady locales. Despite the name, violets are available in a wide variety of colors.

3. Anise Hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum)

Put away the twizzlers and go au naturel with this tasty treat coming in the middle of our edible flowers list. The lovely purple blossoms of anise hyssop taste sweetly of licorice and–as the name suggests – anise. Self-seeding, this perennial will come back year after year in your container garden. The anise hyssop prefers well drained soil and sunny locations with some shade.  Flowers appear in July and continue blooming until the first frost of the season.

2. Pansy (Viola x Wittrockiana)

Coffee breath preventing you from getting to close to anyone? Skip the Tic-Tacs and give a pansy a try. These delicate annuals have a wintergreen flavor when eaten whole. Short in stature, pansies can be great choice for an elevated garden.  Pansies blossom from May to July. They should be planted in rich soil in cooler locales. Cooler weather = cool, minty breath.

1. Bee Balm (Monarda Didyma)

This spunky bloom ranks #1 on our edible flowers list because it’s beautiful and tasty, and it might also bring a little wildlife to your container garden. This cheerful plant comes in a variety of colors and has been known to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and–as the name suggests–bees. Given the great bee and butterfly decline, planting bee balm is the least we can do to keep the species alive. And with a delightful citrus and minty taste, bee balm can also be used in salads and made into tea. Bee balm does well in a container garden, and prefers a well lit, sunny spot with rich soil. Blooms appear in July and August.

Any suggestions for our edible flowers list? We’d love to hear from you so please post your favorite bloom to snack on below.