Visit our online shop for 100% made in Canada products and gifts!
Are you a new or experienced gardener? If so, you know that one of the joys of the season is: gathering supplies
- dusting off your garden tools
- and getting started planning out your next gardening project.
Trust us, we’ve all been there at some point as gardeners. You know you have the gardening bug when you have more gardening ideas than you have space available to grow in. If it’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, space is something that we can all use a lot more of!
Helping you with container gardening
To help you find new spaces for growing we have a great blog today for you. We’ve put together a quick guide which introduces you to container gardening as an easy space saving strategy. Over the years in our own gardens, we have experimented with growing in containers. We have found that container gardening can maximize your garden production in smaller spaces.
What is container gardening?
Container gardening involves using containers of various shapes and sizes with soil to grow plants in. If you are adding colour to your yard with flowers or to create your own kitchen garden to harvest your own food, growing in containers is a great option. It allows you the flexibility to create beautiful and productive gardens in spaces you never would have thought possible.
Benefits of growing in containers
Container gardening is popular in many urban gardens. It has gained a lot of popularity among those gardeners who have limited space for growing. Container gardening is also a great strategy for those gardeners in rural settings. It is helpful for those who are looking to take advantage of smaller spaces of their yard that are not as viable for growing. Are you are gardening in a congested urban centre or on a large acreage of land? If so, finding areas of your garden for containers will be a space saving strategy. It can be a very budget conscious, eco-friendly way to add new depth and layers to your garden landscape.
Popular containers for growing in small spaces
Plastic containers and pots
Today, you can find plastic pots and containers for growing all garden centres or nursery. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. Often they are a lightweight alternative to many heavier ceramic pots. The upside of using plastic containers for container gardening is that they are reusable. Also, you can wash and sanitized at the end of the growing season. They are easier to store than some more cumbersome options. Compared to other options, plastic containers can be a more cost effective and budget friendly option. This is great for gardeners who are getting their feet wet with container gardening. Be careful when selecting plastic containers if you are growing your own food in them. Always look for options that are made with food safe plastic to avoid harmful chemicals leaching into the soil.
Ceramic pots
Ceramic pots come in a variety of different shapes and patterns which can add a very unique touch to your container gardening projects. These containers are often heavier than plastic options. Being made from clay, they have the added advantage of increasing drainage and air flow. If using ceramic options, they can sometimes dry out quicker. This is especially true if they have a glaze on them. Keeping an eye on the water level throughout the growing season will be key to having success with these types of containers. In colder climates, ceramic pots can be susceptible to cracking. They must emptied out and stored at the end of the season to prevent breakage.
Cloth and fabric pots
Cloth and fabric pots are a more recent development in the area of container gardening. They are a popular option due to the air circulation you can achieve. Another benefit is that they are so light weight compared to concrete planters. Being light weight is especially important when it comes to re-arranging your container garden. Or moving them around to best capture the natural light within your garden it is best to go with a lightweight option. These containers often come in user-friendly sets. They also come in a variety of sizes.
Great tips for cloth and fabric pots
Much like their plastic counterparts, you can:
- wash
- sanitized
- reused over and over again
These types of containers are ideal for promoting strong and healthy root development. They allow for increase air flow through the fabric and promoting proper drainage. These containers, like ceramic options due tend to dry out fast. During hot and humid weather, it will be important to ensure that they are watered.
Hanging baskets
Have some plastic hanging basket containers left over from a previous growing season? These containers are actually ideal for growing in small spaces. This is because you can grow a variety of crops in them to harvest at eye level. Crops that grow well in these types of containers include:
You will want to ensure that the container has proper drainage. Keep an eye on the water level throughout the season. This is especially true during periods of heat and drought.
Choosing containers with proper drainage
There are so many containers options you can use for growing in. One thing to keep in mind is that you want to choose a container that has good drainage. Selecting a container with good drainage is so important. The type of container you use will also contribute to preventing the spread of bacterial and fungal diseases. Without proper drainage soil in your container can become waterlogged. This will allow bacteria and funguses can grow which can impact the production of your plants. Worse it could lead to the death of the plant. For smaller containers that are between 4-6 inches in diameter, three or four drainage holes is plenty to allow for water to flow through. Larger containers would need between 6-8 holes. Make sure the holes are at least a ¼ inch. Anything larger and too much water will drain through.
Choosing the right soil for growing in containers
The ideal soil for growing in containers is a light, loose, and well draining potting mix. When growing in containers, you want to avoid the temptation to reuse soil from the garden. Garden soil is often heavy . It does not offer the proper drainage that container gardens need to survive. This soil may also contain harmful insects and diseases. You do not want to incorporate these into your container garden. Many garden centres and nurseries will have different pre-mixed potting soil options available. Several are specifically designed for growing in containers. You can also make your own. But you will want to ensure that you have a healthy combination of:
- peat or coconut coir
- perlite
- vermiculite,
- compost
- fertilizer
Regularly feed your container plants throughout the season
Water will flow free through many types of containers. As it flows it will take vital nutrients with it. It is important to feed the plants throughout the season on a regular basis. This will help plants that are growing in containers have enough nutrients to grow and be productive. At the beginning of the growing season try adding some slow-release fertilizer. This will help to put your young seedlings on the right track. It give them the healthy head start that they need to grow. While the plants are growing throughout the season, you will want to add fertilizer twice a month. This will help if they are flowering or fruiting varieties. You will be able to ensure blossom development and to increase production. Both synthetic and organic fertilizer options are available.
Top crops for growing in containers
Many different varieties of plants can grow well in containers. Some of the more popular container varieties include :
- patio tomatoes
- lettuce
- patio varieties of cucumbers
- peppers
- eggplant
- bush beans
- carrots
- radishes
- snap peas
- onions
Vining varieties for container gardening
The vining varieties of these plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas will need to have trellis support. Many options are available including bamboo poles, metal trellises, or metal cages. Are you limited on space? Growing a vegetable garden in containers is still possible. It’s a great way to incorporate some delicious homegrown produce into your diet. Do you want to grow your plants from seed? If so, many seed companies offer varieties designed for growing in containers. Look for these when selecting crops to grow in your container garden.
Final Thoughts
Try following the tips outlined above . It will put you on the right track when it comes to getting started with container gardening. No matter your:
- level of experience
- budget
- the container options available to you in your local area
Being able to grow in containers will allow you the flexibility to make use of overlooked spaces for growing. Until next time gardening friends, happy gardening everyone!