The benefits of container gardens

Container gardens are perfect for small spaces, patios or flexible planting sites. They are wonderful for those with physical limitations and a great way to introduce children to the joys and rewards of gardening. They also provide an excellent way to start small if you are a beginner gardener. Another advantage of container gardening is that you don't have to wait for the tiller to loosen the ground. Soil is the foundation of plant success. Always use a good potting soil, not garden soil, in your container. I recommend Coast of Maine or Miracle-Gro potting soil. Containers are made out of many different types of material, such as terra cotta, wood, plastic or ceramic, to name a few. Terra cotta pots are porous, and you may need to water your plants more often if you use them, but they allow the roots to breathe. Plastic holds moisture longer, so you need to be careful not to overwater your plants in this container, as you may cause the roots to rot. Make sure that there is at least one hole in the bottom of your container. Pot size is the next item to consider. It is important to understand how wide the mature plant will become when mature and how deep the roots will develop in the soil. This information will help you to select the correct size container before you start. Ask the garden center staff if you are uncertain or look it up online. It is quite practical to grow in a 5-gallon bucket. If you use one, remember to drill four to five 1-inch holes into the bottom of it. Make sure that it is clean inside before planting. Vegetables have a temperature preference. They need six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Optimum growing temperature for the most popular vegetables is 50 degrees to 86 degrees, which includes tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, beans, squash, melon and basil. Cool weather crops prefer temperatures between 45-65 degrees and include: spinach, snap peas, Swiss chard, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and cilantro. Did you know that water makes up 90% of the plant's weight? Water the soil, not the plant, and you may need to water daily. Water when the top inch of your container is dry. Use the finger test: Put your index finger into the soil up to your second knuckle, and if no soil clings to your finger, it is time to water. Water slowly, making sure that you cover all of the soil area and water until you see water flowing out the bottom of your container. Then just a bit more because we want the roots to follow the water downward. Choosing plants is important. Read the plant tag and understand the plant's water and sun requirements. Ask for dwarf or bush plants such as tomato, cucumbers and green bean breeds. Don't be afraid to plant several plants in one container. You could put a basil, an eggplant, a strawberry and a marigold in a 5-gallon bucket. A window box can look beautiful, filled with lettuce and nasturtiums. Remember to fertilize. Repeat watering will leach the soil of the nutrients that the plants need to thrive over time. It is a good idea to begin fertilizing two to six weeks after planting. Read the directions on the package carefully. I like the granulated, time-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote or Miracle-Gro. Over-fertilizing, applying more than then directed, is not helpful and can burn the plant's roots. If you decide to use pest control on your plants, use the least toxic strategy available, and do not apply it when the plant is blooming. If you do, you will poison the pollinators that are needed to bring your plants to fruition. Learn to distinguish between damaging pests, and beneficial insects, which include spiders, bees, and lady beetles. Finally, container gardening is fun and easy. Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.