Advantages and Disadvantages of Large Square Pots
One of the easiest and most efficient ways of gardening is using large square pots. One can simply place these pots on the patio or deck, or just about any outdoor location. They can also be strategically placed on the porch or hung on the porch for an attractive focal point. The large square pots overflowing with lush green foliage and lovely flowers add aesthetic appeal to almost any outdoor space or room.
Because they can be placed outdoors, large square pots can also be used as an effective way of introducing plant life into a vacant backyard space. Pots planted in the outdoors tend to draw in native species of plants that would not normally be found in a given area. This is especially true when the pots are placed along pathways or around pools. Since the soil in outdoor locations is usually richer in nutrients than the soil in indoor spaces, a beautiful blooming array of blooms can be formed in a very short time.
Because these pots are large square ones, they make good container gardening plants. One finds easy growth on these pots because the plants do not have to compete with each other for nutrients. Plants will grow at a faster rate when planted together in a large container garden. The container gardening process itself is not very hard, but it does require patience. Because these pots can be placed outdoors, container gardening requires one to be prepared to care for the plants adequately.
Care must be taken to ensure proper drainage. If the pots are made of clay or some other porous material, soil should drain quickly after watering. For pots made of terracotta or other porous material, holes should be dug around the perimeter of the container to allow for draining. However, if the soil in the pots is clay-based, it should be allowed to dry thoroughly between watering.
In terms of appearance, plastic pots tend to be attractive, but they are not very practical. In addition, these pots cannot be moved from one location to another. They cannot also be stored outdoors. On the other hand, containers made of porous materials and plastic can be easily transported indoors and cared for indoors.
Some of the advantages of using plastic pots over clay or terracotta planters include ease of drainage and cleaning. Clay pots tend to gather debris and sludge, making it difficult to clean. Containers made of plastic, do not pose any such problems because solid soil is drained through drainage holes. Additionally, plastic pots may be painted to match one’s home or other outside decor.
While using plastic pots, it is important to make sure that the pot drains properly. This is because excess water left in a pot without drainage holes could cause the water to mix with the soil and cause soggy spots on the container wall. Also, make sure that the pot does not have sharp edges or corners that could injure children. If the pot has drainage holes, you can set a small amount of sand inside the bottom of the container wall and fill up the rest of the pot with topsoil or loose dirt. In this way, water drainage holes do not become a problem.
Containers may also be painted with various patterns. If so, you should first make sure that the paints for plastic pots are safe for the plants. Paints may also fade or start to peel off if exposed to too much sunlight. If you prefer plants that have leaves, you should consider using a pot cover instead of a container wall. Plastic pots are great for growing exotic flowers that will flower all year long.