Container Gardening
by Molly Ring of Skewed View Studio
Container Gardening means having a garden anywhere (and I mean anywhere) except the ground. It covers hanging baskets, window boxes, clay pots, and barrels, whatever you can think of. Container gardening is the most versatile method of gardening out there. If you're short on time or space, container gardening is the way to go. Maybe you have a jug or bowl stashed away in the rafters that you absolutely love but can't seem to find a purpose for — you can transform it into a charming objet d'art in an afternoon. It just needs to be able to hold some dirt, and of course, plants.
After juggling family, work, kids, and all their activities, time in the garden is way down the priority list. Take heart, even the busiest of schedules can make room for container gardening. After a few basic items (some of which you may already have), you'll be well on your way to becoming the envy of your neighbors.
If you're a first-time gardener, container gardening is the perfect place to get your hands dirty (so to speak). You can decide before you begin how big, or small, you want to go. Generally, annual flowers (the ones that only live one season or can't handle our winters) have a bit more color and punch. Perennials (the ones come back year-after-year, but generally NOT in a container due to the fact that the roots freeze) include some wonderful flowers, textures, and green trailing options. Pick a variety of both. Unusual plant combinations will give your containers an invigorating twist. An upright plant can serve as your focal point, mounding plants can fill in gaps, and trailers will mask the edge of a less-than-perfect pot.
The Container
It can be anything as long as it meets these three conditions.
1) It needs to be able to drain excess water out of the bottom somehow.
2) It needs to be able to hold the soil well enough so that it doesn't wash away from the roots.
3) It needs to allow for plant growth.
Virtually anything with these three attributes can be used, from four inches across to as big as you can handle. The small ones work well for miniature herb and succulent gardens. The extra large can work for vegetable gardening (yes, you can do vegetables in a container, and very prettily, too!) or large mixed plantings. Store bought pots are probably the easiest to find, but scavenged treasures are always more interesting.
Soil
There are many options out there: types to avoid are regular yard dirt (black dirt) it packs too hard, severely retarding root growth, and is usually loaded with weed seed and contaminants, all of which can hinder your success. All-purpose potting soil is cheap (for a reason) but also packs too tight; you will have to amend it to lighten it up (a lot) like adding peat or another similar additive. There are many premixed ready-to-use types, some with fertilizer additives, which may contain inadequate amounts, or too much. A good, safe bet is to ask the grower where you buy your plants what they use. If they don't have it available for sale, find one that does. If you have a problem, the grower knows where to start because he's familiar with the plants and products you're using.
Food and Water
Most plants come with care tags when you buy them (good thing, too!). The tags tell you what they need as far as soil moisture, what to feed and how often, and it should also give light requirements and growth dimensions. All of which are important when planning your planting. You should buy plants with similar requirements. If one needs full sun and the other likes shade, one of them is NOT going to be happy.
Plants
Well, let's just say you get what you pay for. If you want quality results you need a quality beginning. Look for good color and a vibrant root system. Ask for assistance if you need it. If you see bugs of any size, stay away. If the grower's stock is good they will be happy to show you all that they have. There are crop problems that happen to all growers, but when you find a good one (I mean a grower, not a retailer) you'll find those problems are minimal. For consistent success you want someone who knows what they are doing and is passionate about their plants. You might need to pay a little more for good quality and service, but it's still cheaper than buying them twice.
The Plan
Next, you'll need to develop a plan — color, height, growth habits, and sun needs, are the things to consider when putting plants together. It may sound like a lot of work and can seem overwhelming so don't be shy — ask for help. If you've gardened before, you know your favorites so start there and then add new ones. If you're a rookie, look to see what your grower (or neighbor) has put together and work off of that, or just experiment with new varieties.
If you know someone who is an avid gardener, ask! I assure you, all the gardeners I've ever met are happy to help someone get started. I think it's so they don't feel so alone with their addictions. Keep notes and tags for reference. Soon you'll find yourself knee (or elbow) deep in beautiful container gardens. Remember to have fun with it. Put your containers where you'll be able to see them and appreciate them all summer long. You may find that after the summer ends, when we're all knee deep in snow once again, you'll be thinking about what plants you're going to experiment with come spring…
I would like to extend my thanks to Mykel Barthel at Erickson's Greenhouse for his invaluable assistance in the writing of this article.
