The Hottest Trend in Urban Gardening: Container Planting

The Hottest Trend in Urban Gardening: Container Planting

The growing number of urban gardeners signifies a major switch in gardening approach. No longer do people believe that growing tree, flowers, fruits or vegetables are undertakings suitable only for country dwellers. Indeed, through the magic of container planting, many urbanites are growing part of their own food!

Container planting is the absolute hottest trend in the garden marketplace today and rightly so. Even a small balcony, porch or patio can hold containers big enough to grow herbs, vegetables or flowers.

Containers come in all shapes and sizes: half whiskey barrels, metal, plastic or wooden planters, hanging baskets and plain old flowerpots will all work, but to make your urban container garden shine, use these guidelines for choosing appropriate containers:

Make sure that container openings are wide enough to accommodate plants and your hands; eschew containers with narrow openings.

Leave inexpensive plastic pots for less knowledgeable buyers; cheap plastic deteriorates in sunlight.

Clay and terra cotta pots are fine, but remember that they lose moisture rapidly because clay is porous. And monitor plants closely to make sure they aren?t drying out. be monitored closely for loss of moisture. Glazed ceramic pots are great choice provided they have several drainage holes so plants don?t get ?wet feet?.

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Garden Tip...

If one has a fine lawn and desires to keep it so, he should never work upon or mow it when the turf is wet or soggy. The impression made by the feet in walking over the sod while in this state, will leave the surface rough and uneven afterwards. Do not water the grass or plants while the sun is shining hot, as it will scorch the leaves and make them turn yellow. All weeds, such as dandelions, plantain, etc., growing up through the grass, should be carefully and thoroughly dug out by the roots with a knife or pointed spade; if allowed to remain, they will soon become so numerous as eventually to kill out the grass and give to the lawn an appearance of neglect.
~ James Sheehan
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While redwood and cedar planters are relatively rot-resistant, any wood container can rot over time. When buying treated wood containers, avoiding those treated with creosote or other toxic compounds that create plant-damaging vapors.

Buy containers that hold anywhere from 15 to 120 quarts; smaller containers keep roots from spreading out and soil dries out too quickly in them. Vegetables and other naturally deep rooted plants require deep pots.

Just like fish in a pond, the larger the container, the larger your plants will grow. If you want to restrict growth, use smaller containers that are 15-20 quarts (generally around 12? top rim diameter). If you want to plant a shrub and have it grow substantially and flank either side of your terrace French doors, purchase larger containers that are at least 36? in diameter.

Drainage holes in any should be 1/2 inch wide. Line the inside of the pot with newspaper to allow drainage without losing soil.

If you live in a hot climate, use light-colored containers that absorb less heat to encourage root growth

Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.

To retain moisture in hanging baskets, line with sphagnum moss and keep out of direct late day sun.

Soil or Potting Mixture
Choose a planting mixture that drains rapidly but retains enough moisture so plant roots remain evenly moist. Add compost to your potting mix; if compost is not available, buy a good quality potting mixture or make your own from equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and peat moss. Remember that because potting soil mixes drain well, fertilizer also washes away more quickly and compensate for this by fertilizing your container plants more frequently than you would plants planted directly in the ground.
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Garden Tip...

All individuals of the vegetable world are so created as to reproduce themselves from seed or its equivalent. Every plant that grows seems to possess the power to perpetuate its kind. All kinds of flowering plants can be grown from the seed, providing good, sound seeds are obtained, and they are placed under the proper influences to make them germinate and grow.
~ James Sheehan
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Can I grow large plants like bushes?

In our special free report we share the best kinds of containers to be used, the ultimate potting mixes for huge harvests, how to make your own self-watering container, which pots never to buy, and much more! Claim your FREE REPORT!