If you’ve ever considered growing your own plants in containers, but were unsure what to grow, here are some plant suggestions for containers. These include the right Materials to use, Plant combinations, and Soil. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of container gardening. Also, check out our article on Plant combinations for containers! It has everything you need to grow beautiful and tasty food! This article will also give you a few ideas to try!
Plants to grow in containers
There are many types of containers for growing vegetables and fruits. The type of container you choose will depend on how large you want your plant to grow. Some plants grow better in a smaller container than others, so it’s best to choose a plant with similar growth requirements. Tomatoes are an excellent choice for containers because they can grow well in small pots and are incredibly versatile. In addition to being delicious on sandwiches and in salads, homegrown tomatoes are easy to grow. Container gardening is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, and certain types of vegetables will do well in a smaller container.
When choosing container gardening, consider your climate. In summer, you may have a hot or dry climate. If this is the case, choose plants that do well in a cool climate, such as lantana. In the winter, choose a plant that can withstand light frost. A good perennial for container gardens is the New Zealand flax. It’s hardy, low maintenance, and can grow to be up to 4 feet tall.
Berry bushes are excellent container plants. They look gorgeous and produce delicious fruit. They’re easy to grow in a container and are easy to feed with fertilizers. Berry bushes require well-drained soil and regular watering. Similarly, succulents thrive in containers and can tolerate part-shade conditions. Their soil needs to be a bit moist, but they can tolerate full sun. You can also move the pots around to boost the berry production and early fruiting.
Materials to use
There are many different containers you can use for container gardening. Some are made of concrete, which can be heavy and difficult to move around. Others are made of resin, which mimics the appearance of other materials but is cheaper. A classic example of a container is a half wine barrel. If you don’t want to use a functioning fountain, you can get rid of the labels and use the barrel to grow herbs and other plants. Another popular option for container gardens is a wire basket, which is designed to drain water and has a built-in drainage system. Neither has a lining, but a cocoa mat can be used as one.
Potting soil is not enough for successful container gardening. You must prepare the container with other materials as well. You can use compost tea or kelp extract. You can also add mulch to retain moisture and protect plants from pests. While containers are often resistant to pests and disease, they are not immune to fungal spores. To prepare the soil for container gardening, follow the instructions on the container label. If you don’t have any instructions, ask your local nursery for help.
Wood is a good choice for container gardening, as it won’t crack in cold weather. However, wood is slow to dry, so you should line the container with plastic before you plant. Another option is metal, which is durable but heavy. However, wood doesn’t rot easily, and a metal pot may be unsuited for a container garden. If you want to avoid metal, choose a molded wood-fiber container instead, which is durable and lightweight.
Plant combinations
When you’re considering plant combinations for container gardening, you may be wondering which types of container plants are best for your garden. Plants that thrive in shade or are drought tolerant are excellent choices. They also require little maintenance and look great in container gardens. Consider the following five plant combinations that work well together. Perch Hill uses an eye-catching combination of plants, including Panicum elegans ‘Frozted Explosion,’ Dahlia ‘Totally Tangerine’, Salvia ‘Amistad,’ and a variety of lilies.
Companion plants are helpful to each other. In addition to helping each other grow, companion plants attract beneficial insects that eat problem pests. Herbs, for example, repel insects that might otherwise destroy your container garden. Basil is another great plant companion. Basil repels flies, thrips, and mosquitoes, and it makes tomatoes taste better. Use a larger pot for a determinate tomato for the best results.
To get a tropical look in your container garden, plant an abundance of Colocasia. This elegant show-stopper pairs well with other plant combinations. Trailing snapdragons and purple sweet potato vine make good container companions. The snapdragons can benefit from the shade provided by the palm. Alpine strawberries are also an eye-catching herb. You can add decorative pebbles and colorful geraniums to your container garden for an extra pop of color and aroma.
Soil to use
Soil for container gardening will be labeled “potting mix” or “coir.” While garden soil, which is often made from topsoil and other bulk materials, is great for growing plants in the ground, it is too heavy for the containers. It is also often not sterilized and may contain seeds, spores, and disease. While top soil may sound like the most economical choice, it is not the best soil for container gardening.
Soil for container gardening always needs to be modified to provide proper drainage and support for your plants. It must be moistened before planting. If you don’t have garden soil, you can make your own container mix using one part garden soil and two parts peat moss or perlite. However, do not use fine beach sand. You’ll need to amend the soil first before planting. A container containing succulents or succulent-friendly plants will need extra amendments.
In addition to garden soil, it’s also necessary to amend potting soil. Mix it in a one-to-one ratio with a moisture retention and drainage component, perlite, and a balanced fertilizer. If you’re using a potting soil mix, consider adding a little compost to the mix as well. Water-soluble fertilizer can also be added later if you’d like to have flowers.
Watering
Container gardens are not for everyone, but even a small one can provide a basic amount of food. You can mix different types of plants together and create a polyculture, which will prevent weeds from growing and preventing plant-specific diseases from spreading. Using a mixture of species will also attract beneficial insects from the wild and draw pollinators. Plants with brightly colored blooms are easier to spot than those that grow in clumps.
Container plants can become dehydrated much faster than plants in hanging baskets, so water them when they’re dry in the afternoon. You may need to water three times a day, if the weather is especially dry. To avoid this, water your plants every morning and in the evening. It’s also important to remember that small pots may need watering twice a day. However, this should be avoided if you’re trying to save water.
If you’re trying to save water, consider buying a self-watering container garden. These have a water reservoir at the bottom to keep the soil moist and have a hole for excess water to drain out. A 4″ perforated corrugated drainage tile will fit the length of the container and has a hole in the bottom to allow water to drain out. You’ll want to add soil and planting soil to your containers, then add water through the fill tube. The water will drain out the overflow hole.
Designing a container garden
There are several key principles in good design. You should partner your plants according to their colors, shapes, and textures. The composition of plants should also match the size and shape of the container. A planting that is out of proportion will be flat and off-kilter, while one that is arranged correctly will look lush and natural. Here are a few tips on how to design a container garden:
Identify a focal point. This could be an unusually large or artistic container. Use the base as a stepping stone for the rest of the container. In the center, plant a low-growing plant, and leave the base of that plant exposed. To keep your container garden interesting, use plant stands or empty buckets as makeshift bases. Try to use more pots in different places and experiment with height and texture.
Try to place taller plants in the center of the container. Then, place smaller, compact plants around the tall plant. Finally, add some trailing plants to the edges. By following these rules, your container garden will have a neat and organized appearance. And, because it is portable, you can move it easily if necessary. And since containers are versatile, they can fit almost any plant. A container garden is also easier to move than a traditional garden.