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Protecting container gardens from frost is something you can do with a commercial frost blanket, among other tools. Protect container gardens from frost with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Gardening in containers on the balcony is a great way to conserve space and still have a lush, beautiful garden. Garden in containers on the balcony with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, a small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
Making a self-watering garden container is a great way to make gardening as easy as possible all year round. Make a self-watering garden container with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, a small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
A container garden really makes a fun project to do during the cold winter months of the year. Get winter container garden ideas with help from a bulb and garden expert in this free video clip.
Necrotic leaf spots are a common fungal disease found on maple trees, caragana plants and various other types of vegetation. Even though the fungal disease looks unsightly, it will not kill or seriously harm the vegetation, and treating the problem is not necessary. However, the necrotic leaf spots will affect the appearance of the plant. To treat necrotic leaf growth, use a chemical fungicide approved for use on your specific species of flower, tree or shrub.
Grapevines bring rustic charm and productivity to gardens in warm areas, but struggle in colder regions. The vines need 100 to 200 days of frost-free growing, and lose their harvests when fall and winter arrive too early. Gardeners in cold zones address this problem with protected indoor gardens, which support grapevines for full fruit harvests. Choose white seedless Canadice or Interlaken grapevines for compact, manageable container growth.
Two well-known varieties of narcissus plants are daffodils and paperwhites. Narcissus are spring flowering garden plants that are grown from bulbs. Bulbs serve as underground storage systems for plants and contain everything they need to grow and flower once per year. Paperwhite narcissus flowers are petite white flowers that are highly fragrant. Daffodils are available in more color options, including several shades of yellow, apricot, pinks and white. Many daffodils are also fragrant. With proper care, narcissus bulbs can grow, blossom and be kept indoors for short periods of time to brighten the winter months.
A proper container garden offers more than vegetables or flowers for a front porch. Container gardens are sometimes an alternative for those without yard space for a traditional flower or vegetable garden. This alternative involves growing plants in pots, troughs or other nontraditional containers. Often portable, these gardens not only supply the grower with produce and flowers, but offer a form of decoration for the porch.
The name hypertufa comes from the tufa rock, a soft limestone mineral that forms underwater. Hypertufa simulates the lightweight properties of tufa rock -- although it is made from different materials -- with the look of aged rock to create a lightweight material for making planters and garden art. Composed primarily of cement, peat moss and either sand, perlite or vermiculite, and pressed into a mold to create planters or ornamental displays, hypertufa is relatively easy to make but does require curing.
Choosing the right size container for your cactus is imperative for its health. Cacti placed in too large containers leads to overwatering. A cactus growing in oversaturated soil has a high risk of contracting a fungal disease such as root rot. Other considerations must be taken into account when repotting such as the type of container and potting soil for healthy cactus growth.
You need to polish hypertufa if you want a smooth finish on the fabricated stone. The cementitious material wet-molds readily into a variety of garden containers and ornamental features due to the constituents of hypertufa, such as peat moss and perlite. An unfinished hypertufa surface feels rough to the touch, so polishing the object removes the potential for grazes. Polishing hypertufa also creates an aesthetic by changing the style from a rustic look to a sleek design.
Just because you have hard water doesn't necessarily mean your garden will suffer. Garden with hard water with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
Garden soil with calcium deficiency can prevent certain plants from growing as healthily as possible. Correct calcium deficiency in garden soil with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
If your garden soil has a fungal infection it is important to realize that this can be treated in a variety of different ways. Treat garden soil for a fungal infection with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
Removing garden soil doesn't require outside help and expensive contractor bills. Remove garden soil with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
Just because your garden is already established doesn't mean you can't upgrade the soil. Upgrade soil in an established garden with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
A good soil mix, whether its clay or just good loamy soil, is integral to the success of your garden. Learn about gardening and preparing a good soil mix with help from the owner and operator of a small, organic nursery in this free video clip.
False bottom terrarium designs help prevent the soil around waterfalls from becoming waterlogged, which can kill delicate terrarium plants. In addition to facilitating soil drainage, false bottom terrariums also prevent soil particles from clogging waterfall pumps in the terrarium. Properly covering the large holes of the false bottom base is essential to prevent the soil from washing into the water reservoir at the base of the waterfall in your terrarium.
Although clover can be part of a healthy lawn, the gardening community has been advocating clover removal for about 50 years, according to "Anchorage Daily News." In the past, lawn mixes used to consist of up to 20 percent clover. Whether you want to keep or kill clover, therefore, is a matter of personal preference. To kill clover effectively, you can choose from several methods.
While radishes are prone to some insect attacks, ants are one insect that are not a typical problem for radishes. When it comes to insect control in the garden, there are a variety of methods a gardener can use to control the other pests that do harm to radishes. Good gardening practices promote the healthiest plant growth, which will help all garden plants to overcome pest attacks.
Hypertufa is a lighter-weight alternative to traditional concrete for a number of outdoor projects, including planters, tubs and benches. Depending on the project, there are different hypertufa recipes for you to use, so planters and pots can be lighter, while garden benches should be heavier so they can handle more stress. Before attempting a more complex bench project, you should practice mixing and working with hypertufa by crafting a smaller, simple project such as a pot or a stepping stone.
Most types of cabbage grow relatively flat, thick leaves. Savoy cabbage forms a looser head than flat-leaved types because of the unique wrinkled and furrowed shape of this variety's leaves. The flavor also differs from the usual cabbage, with a sweeter taste that makes good cole slaw and mixes well into salads. Savoy cabbages, like others, yield best when the heads form in fall. Correct planting times allow the crop to mature just before the first killing frost.
Although strawberry plants are usually quite vigorous and easy to maintain, gardeners may run into a few common problems. Whether it's your first time growing these fruits, or you are suddenly experiencing problems with gardening strawberries, it is necessary to get to the root of the problem before your strawberry crop fails.
Years ago, when you were ready to sell your home, you could simply throw a "For Sale" sign in the front yard and wait for the buyers to come. But in today's real estate market, it's a very different game. "When buyers have the luxury of both time and inventory on their side, they can be -- and are -- really picky," said Tammy Kemp, professional home stager and owner of First Impressions, a home staging and interior redesign company in Pennsylvania. To impress a discerning buyer, it's important to stage your home for sale. This means cleaning, sprucing up…
Bell peppers can easily be trained to grow up a trellis. This serves to maintain air circulation on the plant, keep the peppers off the ground and give support to the plant stem to prevent snapping in windy weather. Securing bell pepper plants to a trellis can be tricky, as they must be tied firmly enough to hold but loose enough to give the plant room to grow.
Clover is a competitive weed that can easily take over a lawn or flower bed, stealing nutrients from your lush green turf or the most prized members of your garden. Keeping clover at bay is no easy task, but with proper prevention, use of herbicides and a little patience, your lawn or garden will return to its former healthy state.
Just because you're in a "low rain" area doesn't mean that garden soil can't still be properly prepared. Prepare garden soil in low rain with help from the operator of a small organic nursery in this free video clip.
Testing your soil is one thing -- understanding the information contained on those tests can be quite another. Interpret soil tests with help from the operator of a small organic nursery in this free video clip.
Glass plant terrariums, or Wardian Cases, gained popularity in the mid 1800s as a means to grow plants in less-than-favorable growing conditions. This kind of case creates an enclosed ecosystem with just the right environment for humidity-loving plants like orchids. If you want to grow orchids in a case, try miniature terrestrial orchids, which are easy-to-grow species in this setting.
Apartment dwellers have limited space compared to homeowners, but carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and flowering plants adapt well to containers. Growing your own plants adds beauty and life to an apartment, and garden vegetables -- even those grown in containers -- taste fresher and are healthier than typical grocery store produce. Apartments with balconies and south-facing windows are ideal for container gardening, but most apartment dwellers can find plants that suit their location.
Although harvesting the tasty and tender flowers of a broccoli plant is the main goal of most gardeners, do not ignore those brilliant green leaves surrounding the broccoli florets. Large and tender, broccoli leaves resemble other greens, such as collards and kale. Cut and harvest broccoli leaves as they grow on the plants. Harvesting the entire broccoli plant for culinary enjoyment can be a satisfying gardening achievement.
Elegant container gardens can add curb appeal to your home when placed on a front porch or walkway. Lovely container gardens are simple, can be assembled quickly and are not extremely expensive, especially if you use a mix of annuals (plants that usually live for one growing season only) and perennials (plants that come up year after year with proper care). They will add seasonal beauty to your home and are sure to get many compliments!
While some vegetables require bright, warm conditions for growth, others prefer cool, moist conditions and do poorly in hot weather. Cabbage is one such cool-season crop that requires very early planting dates and a cool growing season. Plant early cabbage cultivars at the right time and maintain them with good soil, nutrition and water for a late-spring cabbage harvest.
A popular ingredient in Asian salads and stir fry, the varieties of Chinese cabbage are divided into two groups based on the growth habits of their leaves. Both of the cabbages that form tight heads and those that form looser clusters belong to the Brassica genus and are related to head cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard and turnip.
We're all familiar with the plump commercial strawberries that greet us in the produce section of the market. You might be surprised, however, one day when you're walking along the sidewalk and notice strawberries creeping along the ground. There are many wild varieties of strawberries native to North America that can grow almost anywhere and are surprisingly similar in appearance to the store-bought varieties.
In addition to proper fertilizing and watering techniques, onion variety selection is an important factor in growing large onions. Long-day onions grow well in Northern regions, while short-day onions produce large bulbs in the South. The number and size of the leaves at maturity predicts how large the onions will be. More leaves means larger onions.
Cabbage grows in more than 400 different varieties. All types have similar characteristics and leaf shapes, but some species come in bold colors. Most types have round, tight heads, with outer leaves that lay more loosely around tighter, woven inner leaves. Try various types of cabbage in stews, salads and other dishes.
Red cabbage has red leaves that become darker as the soil becomes more acidic. Commercial growers raise this plant as a leaf vegetable in temperate regions throughout the world. Red cabbage typically grows as an annual crop, which gardeners must reseed each year.
Mums are a great way to decorate your fall windows and tie your home into the surrounding landscape. Mums -- the short name for chrysanthemums -- come in all forms, colors, shapes and sizes, which makes it easy to select the exact ones you want. In fact, you don't even need to plant the mum -- simply set the pot inside the window box, making sure it's secure so it doesn't tip over and fall out.
Whether you live in an apartment with only a small deck or you want to add color to the patio of a larger home, growing and maintaining plants in pots offers a way to brighten your immediate outdoor surroundings. And growing flowers, vegetables, herbs or other plants in containers is so simple that even the most novice of gardeners may do it. For experts, the possibilities are endless when it comes to design and the types of plants you may grow in pots. "This is something everyone can do," said Felix Cutrone, sales manager at Hicks Nurseries of Long Island,…
According to University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts, green beans are one of the top five vegetables grown in home gardens. Each plant produces multiple harvests when cared for properly, and the pickings can be eaten fresh or frozen to enjoy later. Green beans are a low-calorie food and an excellent source of nutrients, including vitamin B, beta-carotene, and antioxidants.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." William Shakespeare's appreciation of the rose extends to modern day, but the softness of the rose is as appealing as the scent. Many people want to keep roses lasting longer and staying soft. A rose with more petals will open slower and last longer. Roses with few petals open quicker and need to be replaced sooner.
Breaking up hard soil for a garden doesn't have to take all afternoon. Find out about a few easy ways to break up hard soil for a garden with help from a certified arborist and nursery professional in this free video clip.
Gerbera daisies are heat-loving perennials that produce vibrant, showy blooms for eight weeks or more. Though this is quite a lengthy display for a perennial, combining these long-bloomers with flowers that blossom in the spring and fall can increase the visual impact of the garden by creating a succession of color. Additionally, gerberas can be combined with plants of complementary textures or heights, creating a pleasing effect that emphasizes the contrast in each plant's size and structure.
Garden soil must be properly prepared before you can begin to plant fruits, vegetables and other types of plants. Prep garden soil with help from a certified nursery professional in this free video clip.
Slugs and snails are very similar gastropods belonging to the mollusk phylum in the animal kingdom. Because they produce such ample amounts of slime and mucous, slugs and snails are the only mollusks able to live on land. Though they may look identical, these animals do have a few biological differences.
Purdue University calls chrysanthemums the "Queens of Autumn" for their bright, late-season blooms. These sensitive perennials grow in several varieties and sizes, but always produce fall color. Plant mums in alternative decorative containers like large coffee cans, which you can place on porches and patios or bring indoors to protect them in winter. Prepare the cans with the right soil, and choose specific mum cultivars for potted growing.
Leaf lettuce is a cool weather crop that can be grown at the start and end of the growing season. Because it is a fast-growing vegetable, lettuce can be grown successively and can even withstand light frosts, making it a versatile vegetable for gardeners to grow. Leaf lettuce can be harvested as individual leaves or as heads, and the type of harvest will dictate overall leaf size.
If you do not have the space or ability to grow food in a garden area, container gardening is an ideal alternative. Lettuces are shallow-root crops, meaning they can grow well in relatively shallow containers. They also grow well in a variety of containers, so you can be creative in how and where you plant.
Like many other vegetables, radishes grow well either in the ground or in containers. Even if you do not begin radishes in a pot, you can transfer radishes from a seeding tray or from the ground and into a pot. Once you move radishes to a pot, you can help them thrive by providing the seedlings with the same care you give them in any other location.
Chrysanthemums are common daisy-like flowers that are often grown in the fall but can also be found in the spring. They thrive in the cooler seasons and offer a wide range of colors. Mums come in yellow, orange, red, purple, bronze, pink and white. They can have simple petal arrangements or double petal forms and may be tiny little pom poms or large 4-inch blooms. Chrysanthemums need little care and can be planted at any time as long as they are planted early enough to establish a good root base.
Planters can be a great tool for expanding your vegetable garden. Grow vegetables in planters with help from a home remodeling contractor and landscaper in this free video clip.
Large containers are expensive to fill if you only use potting soil. Most plants don't require the soil depth supplied in oversized pots so installing a filler layer beneath the soil and roots saves money and soil. The filler typically weighs less than soil, making it easier to move the containers around to new locations in the garden.
If you have no room for a garden, you can grow a vegetable container garden on a patio or balcony. Choose a location with convenient water, as potted plants need water more frequently than plants in the ground. They also need several hours of sunlight each day. According to Diane Relf from the Virginia Cooperative Extension, you can even grow vegetables indoors on a windowsill.
There are many reasons to plan a very small garden. Two of the main reasons are if you live in a location that allows you only a minuscule space for plants or you just don't have the time for a large-scale gardening project. Anyone can find a place for a few plants, when you consider using containers for a tiny garden. Garden containers can be located on a deck or patio, when there is not ground soil to use. Some preplanning will help to make sure you are successful in your garden endeavor. A container can hold an entire tiny…
Succulents are hardy, durable plants that require minimal upkeep as they retain a lot of water in their leaves. This makes them a wonderful backyard addition for those who are strapped for time but still want to create a backyard oasis. Succulents are unique in their ability to thrive in harsh climates and in areas usually inhospitable to vegetation. Available in a variety of interesting and unusual shapes, succulents are an ideal addition to container gardening.
Cucumber is a warm season vegetable. It does well in temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a good candidate for indoor growing. Cucumbers need between 8 and 12 hours of good sunlight, so if you live in an apartment or a house that does not have a southerly facing window, cucumbers might not work for you without grow lights. Without the proper light, cucumbers will fail to develop properly.
Slow growing alpine plants do well in planting troughs made from stone or cement. You can use old polystyrene coolers or fish boxes as planting troughs to help reduce your environmental impact, and grow your decorative alpine plants. The key is to shape the boxes with a stick and wire brush to create the texture of stone and paint them with textured masonry paint in earth toned colors. A few holes in the bottom serve as drainage for the troughs. You will be able to reduce items going into the landfill and also add decorative troughs around your home.
Decks are a place for a barbecue an outdoor table and chairs set, but potted plants really make the deck feel like a getaway, especially if you have a small backyard. Many plants grow well in contains, from flowers like petunias to herbs like basil. Container grown plants need more frequent watering than in-ground plants since they have less soil and the sides of the container absorb heat.
Strawberries are an easy-to-grow summer treat that can be grown in containers, much like perennial or annual flowers. June-bearing strawberries fruit in abundance in early summer. Ever-bearing plants bloom twice during the summer; however, these plants usually produce smaller, less abundant fruit. To avoid diseases that sometimes plague strawberries, be sure to buy plants from a nursery and use fresh potting soil.
The University of Illinois says that gardeners can harvest bell peppers at any stage. The closer the bell peppers are to maturity, the sweeter their flavor. Yellow and red bell peppers start out green; as a result, gardeners can be reasonably sure of the pepper's maturity once the bell pepper turns entirely red or yellow. Furthermore, mature bell peppers reach a maximum size of 3 to 4 inches long.
"Lady Bell" is a sweet pepper hybrid that ripens within 72 days of seeding. The variety is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus. At full maturity, the pepper changes from green to red, but it is edible in either stage. As a tropical species variety, "Lady Bell" is also a warm-season crop. Grow it as you would cultivate any other sweet bell pepper plant.
Gardening requires work, patience, care and desire. It also requires the proper tools. Find used tools at discount outlets, garage sales and from friends. Used tools are cheaper than new tools and generally as reliable. New tools are available at home improvement stores, large retailers and local nurseries.
When you want the freshest Asian vegetables for your stir-fry, in salads and soups, growing your own will satisfy that wish. If you only have a patio or deck, raising these specialty food products turns into a container gardening project. Asian radishes, often simply referred to as daikon radishes, need plenty of room to mature to their full size. With the right pot selection and attentive care, you can savor the crispy, long, white radishes by late summer through early autumn.
Dark green, leafy vegetables like collards, mustard greens, turnip greens and spinach are very different, yet they have similarities. These greens are members of the cabbage family. Greens vary in appearance, flavor, nutrition and cooking times. Knowing the difference between collards and other greens is very easy.
Traditional containers for this type of garden include terra cotta pots and weaved baskets. Make your container garden stick out from the rest by using your imagination to populate your garden with more creative containers. Just about any object that is large enough to allow roots to grow and that can have a hole drilled into the bottom for drainage can be utilized as a plant container. A few other tips and ideas put into action can also increase the aesthetic beauty of your garden.
Container-grown evergreens bring annual color to landscapes. Constant foliage gives a splash of color to patios, porches, pool areas and balconies. Evergreens adaptable to growth in containers are vast and varied. Choices include native species, flowering and foliage-only plants, as well as shade and sun lovers. Consider the plant's growth requirements when selecting an appropriate container. Most plant species will die planted in nondraining containers.
Slugs and snails can do serious damage to the leaves and flowers of the plants you are trying to raise. There are few worse garden disasters than finding ragged holes chewed into the leaves of your prized fruit, vegetable and flowering plants. The bright side is that there are many different types of cheap and effective repellents to force these slimy pests away from your garden. While these barriers will not kill invasive slugs and snails, there may as well be a wall between your plants and the hungry vermin.
Wood is a natural material that weathers with age, making it a lovely choice for container gardening. While teak, cedar and redwood are especially moisture- and weather-resistant, keep in mind that moisture and exposure to the elements will cause wood to slowly decompose. Protect your wood planters by using moisture-proof inner liners, and paint or or seal the wood using a product safe for plants.
Many apartment dwellers do not grow gardens because of a lack of space for a vegetable plot. Even without a yard, you can still grow delicious vegetables. A porch, patio or doorstep is sufficient space to grow vegetables. Many vegetable plants, especially peppers, grow well in containers as long as they receive at least eight hours of sunlight daily. Container gardens even have advantages over vegetable plots because they are not affected by soil-borne diseases or poor soil quality. Peppers grown in containers are also easily moved indoors during frost or harsh weather. With adequate sunlight, water and care, your…
Container gardening is a great alternative to planting directly into the ground. For those who live in an apartment building or condominium, container gardening is the only way to go. When it comes to planting an ornamental citrus tree, 6-foot palm, or several 5-gallon rhododendrons into one big container, preparation is key.
Drainage is a crucial element in container gardening. Containers without proper drainage can cause plants to rot and eventually die if over watered. Plastic containers especially need drainage, since they are not porous like clay pots and dry out slower. Most mass-produced pots are manufactured with at least one drainage hole in the base. If you have a container without drainage, drill holes in the base of the pot, whether made of plastic, metal, wood, terra cotta or ceramic.
Savoy cabbage, or Brassica oleracea capitata, is a variety of wild cabbage that has become a common garden vegetable. It has wrinkled leaves with a good flavor, and the raw leaves are edible. You can also steam or boil the leaves. Savoy cabbage has a high tolerance for cold. It can grow in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit without experiencing damage. Gardeners grow Savoy cabbage from seed in a similar manner to that of other garden vegetables.
Container gardening is a space-saving option for individuals with green thumbs who want to bring the beauty of nature into their homes and patios without planting vegetables and flowers in the ground. Flowers, herbs and tomatoes can thrive in container gardens; as in the case of all gardening, the right tools can make the job easier so you can spend less time laboring and more time enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Fresh broccoli from the grocery store can be expensive and doesn't taste as good as freshly harvested homegrown broccoli. This vegetable is healthy to eat and is used in many recipes. Planting the broccoli is only part of the battle. You need to know when and how to harvest the broccoli. If you wait too long, the broccoli will bolt, meaning the heads have gone to seed. Harvest time varies, depending on the variety of broccoli you are growing.
For thousands of years, people have used containers to brighten their courtyards, patios and balconies. Flowering containers are also a great solution if where you live lacks garden space or has poor soil. Place one or more containers out in the garden to create a focal point or on the deck or patio to soften the architectural features. By following a few simple guidelines, planting flowering containers can be a fun, easy project with unlimited possibilities.
Chrysanthemums (mums) are perennials reaching heights up to 3 feet with flowers in various colors including green, purple, pink, yellow and red. Football mums have flowers 5 to 6 inches in diameter and pompoms have flowers about 1 inch in diameter. Garden mums will grow in containers when planted in the correct size pot and given enough water and sunlight.
Edible container gardens are ideal for vegetable gardening in small spaces, on balconies, patios, decks and fire escapes. Gardeners use edible containers in the garden for extra growing space and for their aesthetic value. They are also an option for overcoming infertile soil or soil problems such as toxicity and nematodes. Almost any type of fruit or vegetable can be grown in containers. The right container for the plant, sunshine, potting mix, fertilizer and water are necessary for successful edible container gardening.
Many ceramic and painted dishes manufactured before 1977 contain small amounts of lead. In some cases, lead may leech into food or drinks served in these dishes. While each dose of lead is likely to be minuscule, it is still a serious concern. Lead is a cumulative toxin, which means that it is not excreted from the body and builds up over the entire lifetime of the person ingesting it. Lead has been linked to serious physical and mental damage, particularly in those who were exposed to it as children. Coffee cups are especially vulnerable to lead leaching, as the…
Fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil to provide optimum nutrition for your plants. Learn more about fertilizer from a garden expert in this free video.
Container gardens, or gardens composed of potted plants rather than those set in the ground, can be the perfect gardens for small yards and patios or indoor and mobile gardens. Even in larger yards, adding containers to your existing garden creates depth, height and interest. There are some important tips to consider when preparing to purchase your container garden materials.
Winter container gardening is not much different from container gardening in general. The first step is to choose a container that has good drainage, but for winter gardening it also must be frost-proof. Examples of frost-proof containers include fiberglass, metal and stone. A good soil is necessary, and plants with similar growth requirements need to be planted together. When caring for plants in the winter, stop fertilizing the plants six to eight weeks before the first frost date. Also, continue to water the plants until the soil is frozen in the container. Protect the plants from strong winter winds and…
Radishes are among the easiest to grow garden vegetables. Generally grown from seed, radishes sprout in as little as three days, and many varieties are ready to harvest in less than 40 days. They are exceptionally hardy plants and do well in many soil types and climates. However, radishes are not for everyone. Whether you're looking to free up garden space or want to ambush a least-favorite crop in the family garden, killing radishes with salt could be a solution. Salting crops has been used as a battle tactic since ancient times and is a time-tested means of killing unwanted…
Hypertufa is a type of artificial stone made by mixing sand, cement and peat moss or other organic matter. It is commonly used for planters, birdbaths and other garden ornaments because it weathers well and is easy to move around. Molding hypertufa is straightforward, but like any concrete, it can take quite a while to cure. But if you invest time and effort in prolonged curing, you'll have an attractive garden ornament that will last for years.
Container gardening allows you to grow flowers, ornamental trees and vegetables in small spaces if your yard has unsuitable soil. In fact, gardeners plagued by soil diseases can plant in containers without losing their vegetable crop, according to Texas A&M University. Throwing plants in pots will not produce a luxurious garden. Take into consideration planting location and types of containers to achieve gardening success.
Red leaf lettuce not only adds color to your salad, but it also contains strong antioxidants, which is what gives it its red color. Red leaf lettuce also offers loads of vitamin A and K, fiber, calcium, magnesium and selenium. Lettuce in general is a crop that requires little maintenance and grows back fairly quickly. The best time to harvest red leaf lettuce is early in the morning after the dew has evaporated from the leaf.
The cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus) is a warm-weather annual that produces green, elongated, melon-like fruit. A member of the gourd family, the cucumber originated in India and is now grown in gardens throughout the world. The fruit is usually eaten fresh or pickled for later consumption. There are many varieties of cucumber plants that produce different sizes of fruit, from miniature to foot-long. There are even varieties known as burpless, which are supposed to cause less indigestion than standard varieties. Bush-type cucumber plants are suited to growing in small spaces.
Patio container plants give you all the beauty of a garden, without the hard labor that tending a garden requires. Planting in containers lets you add a touch of color to your patio, helping to tie the outdoor living space with the rest of your yard. Containers come in all sizes, shapes and colors, so you can find the right containers for your plants. Container plants require frequent watering and fertilizing to maintain healthy plants.
Butter leaf lettuce has a soft leaf, open growing habit, smooth buttery texture and mild taste. It is considered easier to digest than most other lettuce varieties. Other names for butter leaf lettuce are Boston, butterhead and Bibb lettuce. Butter leaf lettuce is a good source of magnesium, iron and calcium. Like many vegetables, it can be grown in a container if space is limited. Butter leaf lettuce is grown during the cooler part of the year when warm weather crops, such as tomatoes, are slow to produce a harvest.
Bell peppers are warm-season vegetables, which means they cannot tolerate frost. If exposed to freezing temperatures, bell pepper plants will die and you will lose your crop for the season. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5 incorporates part of the Northeast to the Midwest states, including Des Moines, Iowa, much of Illinois and parts of Pennsylvania. Although these regions experience cold winters, they have a long enough growing season to successfully grow bell peppers.
Planting lettuce in a small home garden is a convenient way to save money and eat healthfully. Unfortunately, not all dwellings have the space or conditions required for traditional gardening methods. Container gardening, however, is a suitable alternative that allows you to use clay pots, window boxes or your container of choice for planting different types of lettuce.
Container gardens offer advantages over traditional in-ground gardens because they require no tilling or hoeing. The rare weed doesn't have much soil space to multiply in and is easy to pluck out of the container's soil. Container gardens enable the gardener to use containers that express their creativity and accentuate the home. These gardens are also ideal for people with limited time or mobility, as they do not require much upkeep other than regular watering. You can grow several types of container gardens at home.
A false bottom allows excess water and animal waste to drain to the base of a terrarium and can help maintain a healthy environment for plants and animals. While a false bottom may be beneficial for your reptiles and plants, the view of the terrarium's murky waste-filled lower region is probably not something you want to be a visible part of your room decor. Fortunately, an unsightly terrarium false bottom can be concealed in a matter of minutes with just a handful of inexpensive supplies.
Having a garden accented with trees is within the reach of almost every gardener, even if space is very limited. Container grown trees can enhance the beauty of even a large landscape scheme by bringing decorative trees to a patio or balcony for up-close viewing. Choose the right varieties of trees for your climate, provide the proper soil, and select a containers of ample size. Your nurseryman will help you choose the appropriate soil for your tree selections.
One mistake container gardeners might make is purchasing the wrong kind of seed for container gardens. Always purchase seeds that are suitable for a vegetable container garden. In other words, start your container garden with seeds that are likely to flourish and grow. Favorites for container gardens include small size tomatoes, beans, green onions, or herbs. Let's look at the best way to grow vegetable plants from seed for the new vegetable container garden.
A deck is the perfect place on which to grow a container garden. The space available on a deck means that you can house a variety of plants without having to dedicate a patch of yard to growing a traditional garden. The colors, fragrances and shapes of the different plants provide an organic element to the deck that keeps it from becoming too sterile.
Containers for container gardening can be made of almost anything that will hold soil, plants and water, from nonporous materials such as glazed pots, plastics, glass or metal, to porous materials such as clay or wood. The size of the plant dictates the size of the container. Small herbs usually thrive in a small pot, while a vegetable crop may require a 5-gallon container. All containers for container gardens should have proper drainage.
The concept of container gardening isn't a new one. Container gardening has always been practical for city dwellers where balconies might be the only strip of outdoors possessed, homes with spacious patios, or areas where weather can change drastically very quickly. Containers used in container gardening can range from wood barrels to plastic buckets and a variety of herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruits can be grown.
Container gardening can open an array of growing possibilities for gardeners with limited outdoor space or very poor soil conditions. Growers can maintain vegetable, herb and flower plants right in their small apartment, condominium or rooftop patio. Although container gardens offer a solution for anyone preferring a smaller, more maintenance-free option, choosing the proper sized container for specific plants is an important part of the process. Using garden containers that are too small for the plant may result in poor growth and development.
Choosing an appropriate container for the evergreen planting encourages proper performance from the plant. The right container allows room for growth and protection for the growing root system.
Garden containers help a gardener grow a wide array of vegetables or flowers in a limited space area or in a region that suffers from ongoing soil problems. Container gardening also provides ease of accessibility and easy mobility to create different landscape effects.
Growing roses in your garden requires ongoing care for their healthy growth. Their elegant and fragrant flowers add a graceful charm to gardens, but select rose cultivars that will grow well in your region.
A container garden allows gardeners who might not have access to in-ground gardening areas a way to enjoy growing seeds of all types. Container gardens can include herb seeds, flower seeds, vegetable seeds and grass seeds, and many of the same seeds that are typical in-ground garden seeds. Some seeds should be started indoors, and moved outside once they sprout, while others can be grown entirely indoors.
Container gardening is a versatile way to supply yourself with salads that are fresh, safe, organic and inexpensive. Lettuce is easy to grow in containers and there are enough varieties to choose from to change the menu by the week. Whether you are growing greens in a self-irrigated planter on the balcony or in a recycled soda bottle near a sunny window, you can find a tasty, crunchy lettuce plant for any season.
Container gardening, the practice of growing plants in containers rather than directly in the soil, provides several advantages. Unlike an outdoor plot of land, containers are portable, making it easy to bring cold-sensitive plants indoors in the winter. Containers also save space, providing an ideal solution for apartment dwellers who want to cultivate their own plants. Plants that will grow in containers include flowers, herbs, vegetables and succulents.
Container grown plants depend upon you for all their water needs. Whether you grow ornamental plants or vegetables in your containers, moist soil is necessary for healthy plant growth. Most container plants thrive in soil that is evenly moist but not soggy. Providing a pot and soil that helps retain the proper amount of moisture is just as important as irrigating the plants properly and regularly. Outdoor container gardens are more prone to underwatering while indoor plants are more likely to suffer from too much moisture.
Garden chrysanthemums put on their show in fall when most other flowers are entering dormancy. While mums do well as a bedding plant, growing them in containers allows you to place them near entryways or on patios to enjoy the flowers during the crisp autumn days. Mums are perennial flowers that must be properly potted to ensure they survive to bloom again next year. Good soil and an adequate-sized pot keep your flowers healthy and productive.
Containers of perennial flowers or foliage plants allow you to grow them in areas where a garden bed isn't feasible. Pots, urns and hanging baskets can be displayed indoors or out. The greatest benefit of perennial plants is they live for many years, so you don't have to replant them each year. Use half-gallon containers for most perennials, or larger containers if you want to grow more than one plant variety in the pot.
Rocks may appear to be an intrusion in a garden, but they can be used as part of the design and landscape in many ways. Many types of rocks are used in gardens -- from small pebbles to large boulders. Rocks can be placed randomly in the yard or used to build structures.
There are advantages to container gardening, especially for gardeners who lack space, who are short on time, or with stiff backs or knees. Container gardening provides a way to add style and a quick splash of color to your outdoor living environment. Choose your containers carefully but be creative. When it comes to container gardening, picking the containers is part of the fun.
A terrarium is an enclosed container used to provide added humidity to moisture-loving plants. Many home and garden centers, and nurseries sell ready-made terrariums for plant growth. You can also use any clear plastic or glass container as a homemade terrarium. Terrariums with lids provide the most humidity, while open terrariums provide slightly less but mitigate disease buildup with increased air circulation. The instructions for growing and maintaining these mini-greenhouses are easy to follow and most of the supplies are readily available.
Selecting plants for container gardens depends on the mood you want to create. A modern, metal container would look good with a single succulent or tall New Zealand flax. An herb garden in a pot could include rosemary, thyme, chives and nasturtiums. A pot for the shade could contain pastel flowers and variegated foliage. Although perennials are great plants for in the garden, annuals give the biggest seasonal show for containers.
When lack of usable space is a problem, planting vegetables in containers is a viable solution. Many vegetables grow exceedingly well in planters. Combining vegetables with similar needs enhances a container's usefulness and attractiveness.
Container gardens let gardeners play with tropical plants in bright, bold colors, creating sumptuous living flower arrangements in pots. The sure-fire formula for a spectacular container is to combine thriller, filler and spiller plants in contrasting colors and textures in a complementary colored pot. Regular watering and fertilizing will make the container plants produce lush growth and profuse blooms all summer.
If a backyard deck is your gardening space, get creative with a collection of container plants. You can make a luscious container garden in a sunny spot on a deck. Enjoy the convenience of stepping out onto your deck and into a fruitful container garden. Many plants don't care whether they grow in a container or the soil, as long as you give them plenty of room for roots and ample water. Container gardening on a deck can create a beautiful focal point in your backyard oasis.
Use decorative troughs in your garden as planters, water features or as art pieces. Combine cement with lighter elements to create hypertufa. Hypertufa troughs look as if they have weathered over the years. Hypertufa garden elements work well when you want to create Old World or rustic looks. The material is porous, so do not expect to be able to paint it to give your pieces bright colors or a sleek, modern look.
Container gardening is a convenient way to grow vegetables, herbs and yard flowers without having to dig up and prepare a garden site. Clean containers filled with a suitable potting mix are a suitable home for seeds to get their start in, even if you keep the container indoors until the weather gets warmer. For larger vegetable plants, use containers that hold about 5 gallons of soil to give the roots room to grow. Some smaller plants like herbs and flowers might only need a gallon-sized plant pot for housing their roots.
A clear glass ornament ball provides a suitable home for a small terrarium plant. The clear sides allow plenty of light to reach the plant inside, but the enclosed environment provides plenty of humidity and prevents water from evaporating out too quickly. Once planted, a terrarium requires very little care to thrive. Many terrariums can go two or more months before they require water. Most plants survive for a year or more inside the ball.
Ornamental grasses can create an illusion of privacy without a lot of fuss. But the trick to growing ornamental grasses on a deck is to put them in containers. These containers need to have a wide base and should be heavy enough to keep the plants from toppling over. They also need to have a drainage hole in the bottom to keep the plants from rotting. To keep the weight of the container from becoming overwhelming, use a lightweight potting soil mix and lightweight drainage material. Placing the containers on plant dollies will also build flexibility in design. Plant dollies…
Since 5000 years ago, rose enthusiasts have developed beautiful shades of red, pink, orange and yellow roses. However, until recently, the color blue remained intangible.
If you enjoy fresh produce in your cooking, include the vegetables and herbs you love in your garden. Experiment with the unusual varieties that you can't buy in the supermarket. If you adore roses, include a patch, or let your collection take over the whole yard. Rock gardens, water gardens and wildflower gardens all require different degrees of planning and attention. Consider the time you have to devote to maintaining your garden and those features you will most appreciate to create an outdoor space you can call home.
If you are dealing with high water bills or just want to live a little greener, look no further than the sky above your head. Collecting rainwater is a way to save money and reduce the strain on your municipality's water delivery and treatment systems. Rainwater can be used to safely water plants or to perform household chores. Though many kinds of high-tech rainwater collecting barrels exist, you can get started saving water and money with a couple of basic plastic or metal buckets.
The scent of roses blooming in the garden provides one of the great delights for home gardeners. These perennials grow as shrubs, ground covers and vines and produce stunning blooms that have long served as a symbol of love.
Discovered by accident roughly a century ago, the concept of terrarium gardening has caught the attention of both educators and gardeners. A flower terrarium can be compared to a greenhouse in its function. The glass or plastic traps the moisture and humidity that tropical flowers thrive in. Terrarium building can be a fun hobby for children and master gardeners alike. These miniature gardens are relatively low-maintenance if they are assembled and planted correctly.
Spinach thrives in cool weather and in cold climates can even be seeded through the snow. Spring and fall are the best times to plant this vegetable, but it can also be planted in hotbeds, cold frames and even in planters in a sunroom. Spinach has very few disease problems, which include blight, downy mildew and other fungal leaf problems that occur when the environment is too wet.
Cement planters make good containers for large outdoor projects such as trees and shrubs. The concrete has an insulating effect that keeps containers from freezing in winter and helps to hold moisture in summer to keep the plants cool. One of the major drawbacks for cement planters is that the cement itself is heavy. This makes it very difficult to move the plants once the containers are in place or to keep them on a balcony or rooftop. One solution is to make lightweight cement containers.
Since white clover produces nitrogen and, therefore, benefits grass, there's debate as to whether this legume is a weed. White clover isn't an invasive plant either -- it only takes over a patch of soil if the environment isn't adequate for growing grass. If you don't like white clover and it has become rampant in your yard, however, you'll have to do more than maintain the lawn to get rid of it.
Plants growing in containers must rely on you for water and nutrients. Choosing the appropriate-sized container while making sure your plants won't dry out between wateringd is the first step in designing your container garden.
One of the traditional components of an alpine garden is a trough carved from tufa, a porous limestone found in mountainous regions. Because tufa is a rare stone, tufa troughs are rare. As a substitute for tufa, some container makers have developed a recipe called hypertufa. Hypertufa combines aggregates and organic material. Once the organic material decomposes, the aggregates become more porous like tufa stone. You can easily make troughs using cement mix.
String beans, also known as bush beans, work well as a container-grown vegetable. Container-grown bush beans require a vigilant eye to make sure the soil isn't too dry and that pests haven't invaded the plant.
Selecting the proper pot size to hold plants for container gardens involves choosing a pot or planter that doesn't dry out between waterings. Container sizes range from shallow pots to multi-gallon planters that require a dolly to move them.
Green beans are a popular garden plant, normally grown in rows. They also grow well in containers, given the right care and conditions. Choosing the right container for green beans increases the chance of a healthy plant and a good yield.
Hypertufa is a method of creating garden troughs, pots and containers that mimic the look of tufa, an alpine stone. Hypertufa mixtures are made of organic materials such as peat moss, which decompose and leave behind a porous texture much like tufa stone. There is no one correct recipe or method for making hypertufa, although if you wish to create a hypertufa container that looks as good as it possibly can, there are certain steps that experts say that you should follow.
Container gardening is a great option for people who have little or no yard space. Gardening in containers can be quick and easy with just a little bit of time and attention.
Blueberry plants can be difficult to grow in the ground. The plants grow very large and are finicky about soil and pH requirements. Gardeners with less than perfect soil or with limited space can grow dwarf and half-high blueberry varieties in containers. When selecting blueberry plants, choose two varieties from the same family. For best results, establish blueberry plants in acidic soil in a sunny location, with plenty of air circulation.
A container garden can showcase your plants indoors or out. Many plants are quite effectively grown within the confines of a container. This type of garden also lets you strut your creative stuff when it comes to choosing the container. Practically anything can be used as a container in your garden as long as you can ensure high-quality soil and drainage for it.
With the right potting soil and compost, you can create winter vegetable container gardens of pansies, asters, ornamental vegetables and long-blooming perennials. Find out how from an expert in this free video on garden care.
Snapper mowers contain a variety of digits on their body such as model and serial numbers. Though the owner of a mower may not understand what these numbers indicate, a dealer who works with Snapper mowers has the ability to type a serial number in a certain database to find the year of a mower. However, when you put the digits of your Snapper's serial number on a piece of paper, do not use the serial number of the motor, but the engine to get the data you need.
The green movement is moving faster than ever. Kitchen gardens on windowsills and in hanging planters abound. Many homeowners are choosing to grow fresh herbs rather than purchase dried ones. These efforts improve the environment and help save money. However, planting systems can be very expensive. Instead of purchasing pre-made pots, green your garden even more by making pots from recycled containers. Feel free to unleash your creativity as you work.
Container gardens are a simple way to garden if your space, time or abilities are limited. Containers raise plants up to a comfortable level for gardeners with arthritis or handicapped gardeners. Container plants require no weeding and convert any patio, rooftop or balcony into a garden. Plants in containers can be moved with very little effort, especially if they have wheels. If you don't wish to purchase containers on wheels, make your own inexpensively using items found in any hardware store.
A cool-season vegetable, spinach is most productive in spring and fall. Summer heat causes spinach to go to seed, stopping further leaf production on the plant. Growing spinach in containers allows you to extend the crop into the summer months because you can move the pot to a cooler location. Pot-grown spinach is not as susceptible to rabbits and other animal pests that feed on the leaves. Container gardening also allows you to grow your own vegetables without a traditional garden bed, such as on a patio or balcony.
Collecting rainwater allows you to water your garden without increasing your water bill. You can collect over half a gallon of water for every inch of rainfall per square foot of your home's roof. A rain barrel allows you to collect and store the rain water until you are ready to use it. Nearly any waterproof container makes a suitable rain barrel, though the container may need modification before you can put it to use.
Container gardens allow you to grow leafy greens without the need for a full-size garden bed. Lettuce grows readily in containers, though leaf lettuce is more suitable for a container garden. Unlike head lettuce, leaf lettuce quickly matures and provides a harvest over a period of several months. It is shallow rooted, so it requires less space in a planter than head lettuce would. Lettuce readily grows from seed, so sow the lettuce directly in the container you plan to grow it to maturity in.
Even the most dedicated gardeners sometimes drop the ball on watering their plants. Whether a watering schedule gets confused or you simply want to go on vacation, under-watered plants suffer. You can easily fix this by creating your own automatic watering system. These systems allow your plants to water themselves and give you a break from some responsibility.
Container gardens allow you to control the type of soil and amount of water you give to your plants. One factor you can't control, however, is the weather. Frosty weather can damage plants, impugning their ability to bear fruit and seeds. Protecting your container garden from frost will help your plants grow strong and hearty. Keeping abreast of the weather in your area will help you determine how much protection from frost your plants need.
Container gardens allow you to grow vegetables, such as eggplant, outdoors in limited space. Eggplants are warm-weather plants that do not tolerate frost. The plants are often purchased from nurseries as seedlings, or the seeds are started indoors to prevent damage from frost. Growing eggplant in a container will also protect it from weeds and most insects, which enables the eggplant to remain healthy during the growing season.
Keep the beauty of your container garden going even when winter weather sets in. Hardy plants that thrive in the cold make a pretty scene on the patio, even if you only look at them through a window. Use rich, jewel-toned pots to create your winter container garden. The visual appeal lifts your spirits through inclement weather and gray, cold days.
Broccoli is high in vitamins A and D. Broccoli is also low in calories, with about 23 calories in one-half cup, making broccoli a healthy food choice. Container gardening provides apartment dwellers or homeowners with limited yard space an opportunity to grow broccoli. By starting seeds indoors in late winter to transplant outdoors in spring after danger of frost, the broccoli can be harvested in mid-summer, providing the opportunity for a second planting in the same container to yield more broccoli before autumn frost.
Gardeners may plant lettuce in a container garden and it will grow well as long as proper conditions are maintained. The container garden may be kept indoors or outdoors throughout the year.
Plants grown in containers require more frequent watering than those in the ground because water evaporates from the containers more quickly. This is especially true of unsealed clay or ceramic pots that allow the water to evaporate through the sides. Watering your plants every day can get tedious; instead, make a self-watering plant container using items you can purchase from any hardware store.
Supplement lack of ground space with a vertical garden that adds a wall of color outdoors and enhances privacy. Vertical gardens are formed by training vines of foliage or flowering plants on poles, stakes or trellises. The lower ends or “legs” of these support structures require firm placement, which you achieve by placing them in large containers filled with soil. Use your imagination when selecting containers that are functional yet decorative and enhance interest and appeal.
Display plant materials in your patio and entryway containers during late fall and winter, even when frosts and freezes dominate. Depending on your winter climate, you may be able to display cool-season annuals or opt to place a hardy shrub or tree in your containers to prevent them from looking barren and lifeless, according to "Container Gardening" authors. Remember that as long as the soil is not frozen, plants still require some watering to prevent roots and leaves from dying.
Cabbages (Brassica oleracea) are vegetables that form a rounded mass of tightly bound leaves in a rosette. They are best grown when temperatures are not overly hot and are often considered a "cool-season" vegetable crop. According to Iowa State University Extension, a cabbage plant needs a container that holds at least 1 gallon of soil per plant for good culture. Since cabbage grows best away from high summer heat, containers can be placed in partially shaded locations to keep the soil cool and moist. They should receive about six hours of direct sun daily.
Using storage bins for container gardening will allow for control of the growing environment and for increased mobility, so that you can find the best placement of plants. Container gardening makes gardening in urban areas possible because the need of a large plot of land is no longer necessary. Complete control of the plants' needs is provided to the gardener, while external factors such as weeds and disease are minimized with the use of containers.
People with limited gardening space often turn to container gardening so they can enjoy fresh herbs, flowers or vegetables in various places like a box on a sunny windowsill or a hanging container off the porch. Terrariums are a type of container gardening that utilize a see-through container with a lid that houses various plants. Terrarium means "little world" because the planter becomes a self-contained system where the vegetation grows without needing frequent watering. These mini-gardens make striking decorations around the house.
Onions are ideally suited for container gardening. Even a 6- to 10-inch container is large enough to get started, and can fit easily on a balcony or doorstep. Growing onions in containers is a perfect solution for space-challenged gardeners. As an added bonus, container gardening is easy on sore knees and backs as very little bending and stooping is required. Plant onions in spring and in a few weeks you'll have fresh, delicious onions.
Container gardening is ideal for people who do not have a lot of yard space. Container gardening also works well for handicapped and older people who are not able to move around as much as others. When you plant your garden in containers, it's easy to place it where you want. You also don't have to worry about excessive weeding. For best results, do a bit of design planning before starting your container garden.
Container gardens allow you to grow herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers when your outdoor space is inadequate. For a successful container garden, however, you need to follow a different watering schedule than you would for plants in an in-ground garden, because plants in pots do not have access to ground moisture. Still, watering a container garden isn't difficult once you learn a few tricks of the trade.
Container gardening has become an increasingly popular way to grow vegetables for those with limited space, not enough sun or poor soil conditions. While tomatoes and peppers are common container plants, you can grow almost all types of vegetable this way, including broccoli. All it really takes is the right type of container and the variety of the vegetable that is suited to being grown this way.
When limited space is a landscape problem, container gardening can be a welcome option. Container-grown trees can add interest and height to your porch or patio. Simply choosing the container size and color and the type of dwarf tree you would like can get you started. You may then place the tree its desired location and even more it on occasion to another area.
A member of the nightshade family, peppers encompass a vast diversity of colors, levels of spiciness, shapes and sizes. Commonly grown pepper varieties include sweet bell peppers, as well as hot peppers like the habanero. When grown in containers, pepper plants can add an attractive burst of color to a patio or deck while providing the family with fresh vegetables.
With enough sun and the right container, you can grow your own meals and fresh flowers all summer in Ontario. Container gardens are perfect for apartments with terraces or roof access, for townhouses with postage stamp yards, or for gardeners who don't have a lot of time to garden. Cultivate your plants upside down or jumbled together in classic clay pots or unexpected containers.
If you want the satisfaction that comes with planting your own vegetables, but lack the ground space to make these dreams a reality, consider container gardening. This type of gardening allows you the opportunity to grow all sorts of plants---flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables---in portable containers. Even many species of corn can be grown in a container garden, as long as the plants can be exposed to plenty of sunlight.
Clover is an annual weed that thrives in tightly trimmed lawns. It has shamrock shaped leaves with a white ball shaped flower in the middle. Clover creates thick patches in grass. The thick patches choke the grass and create an eyesore on a previously well kept lawn. Cover reproduces with seeds and makes use of an aggressive above and below ground root system in moist soil.
Almost any vegetable that can be grown in the ground can also be grown in containers. That includes large root crops such as potatoes. Potatoes are popular plants for mountainous terrain and will do quite well in rocky, poor soil as long as it is well drained. Because potato plants have a large spreading habit, they require large containers in order to thrive. The potatoes that you harvest will be smaller than potatoes grown in the ground, but will have a good texture and flavor.
When you have little to no space to plant a vegetable garden, growing the plants in containers is a viable alternative. Containers have benefits over traditional beds, as you have more control over the soil quality and some insect pests rarely affect container grown vegetable. Zucchini, with their sprawling growth, may seem best suited to garden beds, but they can be successfully grown in containers. Dwarf and small-fruited varieties do not sprawl as much as the larger, garden bed varieties.
Container gardening is a great solution for those who have limited space or just need a spot of color in a location where they couldn't otherwise grow plants. Typically, container gardening is planned following three design elements: thrill, fill and spill. The thrill provides height, fill are middle height, usually bushy plants and the spill specimens trail over the side of the container. Container gardens can also be brought inside in the winter, allowing you to grow plants that otherwise would not thrive in your growing zone. If you plant specimens with similar growing needs together, container gardening is only…
Air pollution is an environmental influence that can have serious effects on your garden. The impact will vary based on the amount of exposure as well as the sensitivity of particular plants. Where you live and other local influences will also affect your garden's risk of negative environmental impacts. Finally, the type of pollutant will determine how your plants are affected and, perhaps, how they respond.
Container gardening is the practice of growing vegetables and other plants in individual pots rather than in a garden bed. John W. Jett of West Virginia University Extension said container gardening provides a convenient growing method for people with limited space, inadequate environment, or physical limitations that prevent them from working a large piece of land. Terrariums are a specialized form of container gardening using a partially or fully enclosed glass or clear plastic container that creates a self-sustaining environment for the plants.
Container gardening is a way for gardeners with space limitations or poor soils to still have gardens. Container gardens can be planted in wooden containers, but because wood is a porous natural material, care must be taken when choosing and planting your container to prevent the wood from rotting. With proper care, your container can last for many years.
Fairy gardens are miniature gardens built for---or meant to look like they were made by---tiny fairies. A fairy garden can range from a small dedicated corner of a conventional garden or an elaborate series of terracotta pots and containers to a seeming random area chosen for incomprehensible fairy reasons. Fairy gardens often include tiny whimsical toys and tools to evoke their magical fairy gardeners.
Container gardening offers the grower the ability to move plants around the house and garden to maximize sun exposure. A good drainage system for a container can be as easy as a series of drilled holes from the middle to the base of the plant containers.
Growing vegetables or flowers in containers is an option if you don't have a yard for a traditional garden bed. You can place container gardens on patios, balconies or inside near a sunny window. While you need containers and other elements to start your garden, they don't have to be expensive. Recycle items you would normally throw away and reuse what you already have on hand to make your container garden work for you, without the high cost of new materials.
Choosing to use containers for a patio, yard, or small garden area is a great way to display a colorful garden and change it around every year. With containers it makes planting easy and fun. A gardener can have a choice from a variety of containers sizes, colors, and styles.
If you’ve noticed the tips and edges of your leaves are looking yellow and scorched, chances are your container garden doesn’t have enough potassium. A great way to fix the problem is to add a potassium-rich fertilizer, also called potash, which can include anything from greensand or cow manure to wood ashes. As the potash is absorbed into the rest of the soil, and eventually the plants, you should begin to see healthier plants growing in your container garden.
Container gardening is a creative way to plant an abundant variety of plants in areas where traditional gardening is not feasible or space is limited. Planting in unusual containers, boxes or pails can turn a tiny apartment balcony into a tranquil and green oasis. If you have a sunny location and limited time to tend a garden, planting cactus and succulents in containers is the ideal way to brighten your garden space.
Every container garden needs drainage. Without a drainage system, the plants will drown. Using rocks or packing peanuts at the bottom of the container is not going to work. What you end up with is a big soggy mess. Small drainage holes may seem ideal; however, they clog rather easily. Ideally you want drainage holes that are at least an inch in diameter. You may be wondering how to create drainage in a container garden. Follow the guide below to help you accomplish your task.
Gerbera daisies go by many names, including gerber daisies, Transvaal daisies, African daisies, and Barberton daisies. Yet whatever they are called, they are hugely popular in American gardens. With their large, showy blooms of white, orange, yellow, red or pink, gerbera daisies thrive in full sun, growing up to 18 inches tall.
An olive-green and pungent herb, the leaf of the sweet bay plant (Laurus nobilis) is an ancient seasoning herb that has a prominent role in Greek mythology as well as in modern-day kitchen gardens. This hardy perennial shrub is an all-season plant that moves from the fall garden to the winter windowsill without trauma when kept small, in a sturdy pot or container. Bay leaves lose much of their potency within a week or two of harvest, so keep your little bay shrub near your kitchen to give you easy access when you need a leaf or two to drop…
If you love the idea of fresh vegetables at your fingertips, but you're space-challenged, consider planting vegetables in containers. Although several vegetables are suitable for container growing, cucumbers are one of the easiest. Give the plants plenty of sun and water, and, before you know it, you'll have plenty of cool, crisp cucumbers. Cucumber seeds can be planted when the ground is warm and the daytime temperatures are about 70 degrees F.
A self-contained garden in a 5-gallon pail works great for people with limited mobility or those who have no space for a garden. Many vegetables grow well in containers and also with other plants. Sitting the pail on a patio or in a sunny location allows the vegetables to grow and be tended with little effort. Pests or other growing problems are easily spotted and eradicated.
If you are looking for an interesting and unusual garden feature, consider planting a container garden in a bathtub. Bathtubs work well as a garden planter because they are big, sturdy and look very attractive overflowing with flowers and greenery. A bathtub garden can become a creative centerpiece, attracting attention and inspiring conversation. Consider transforming a bathtub into a container garden to recycle it and provide a showcase in your landscaping.
Concrete gardening planters can add aesthetic appeal to your landscaping space. They can be used to create ornate urban gardens or to line sidewalks or patios. Building a concrete gardening planter is a project that is well within the capabilities of the average homeowner, and can be easily completed in a single weekend.
Garden mums are also known as chrysanthemums and are a fall favorite among gardeners, making great container plants. This perennial bursts forth in the fall with brilliant fall colors ranging from rust, pinks, bronze, yellow, purple and white. When choosing a mum be sure you are getting a garden mum since florist mums are cultivated for indoor use only and will last only a short time outside.
Paperwhites are spring bulbs that are commonly forced to bloom indoors in shallow containers. These bulbs can be transplanted from the containers into the garden. Proper timing of outdoor planting is crucial. After they have bloomed, wait for the foliage to turn yellow and die back. This is best time to transplant paperwhites because they have gone dormant. Transplanting at the correct time will ensure beautiful blooms the following year.
Bell peppers add color and flavor to gardens and kitchens alike. Even if you don't have time to prepare and care for a full garden, you can still enjoy this fresh produce by growing your bell pepper plants in large pots or other containers. Keeping your plants in pots will allow you to move them around, finding the best sun and protecting them from damaging weather. Weeding is much easier and watering is a breeze. With container gardening, even a beginner can produce big, beautiful peppers.
Container plants, though beautiful on decks and in gardens, have root systems that are extremely susceptible to freezing during harsh winter conditions. Their leaves, stems and branches are usually not the first to go when experiencing frost or freezing. Protecting the root system is one of the most important aspects when keeping a plant alive during the winter. Find out what you can do to winterize your container garden to maintain it till spring.
Growing plants in pots, barrels or other containers allows you to have a garden almost anywhere. A container garden can transform a barren balcony or deck into a private sanctuary. Add a small fountain and a comfortable chair, and you'll have a green retreat that could also supply you with vegetables and flowers for your table. While ambitious gardeners have managed to grow almost everything in containers, some plants are more suited to this kind of gardening than others.
The beauty of container vegetable gardens is that planting time can be year-round. In addition, it resolves the possible space problem and is easy on the pocketbook. There is no waiting game involved and it can be done in any kind of location, whether you reside in the country or the city. They can even be grown outside on your windowsill or inside on your kitchen counter.
Making your own garden containers not only will save you money but also will provide you a fun project. By planting DIY garden containers, you add a personal touch to your garden area that may become the envy of your neighborhood.
Container gardening is a way to grow almost any kind of plant in a setting where one might not normally be able to have a garden or any types of plants. Surprisingly, container gardening can be linked to the Seven Wonders of the World, back in the time of the Babylonians.
Container gardening is a great way to create a splash of color throughout the growing season in a limited amount of space such as on a deck or patio. It is the perfect type of gardening for a deck or patio because the containers are movable and take up only as much space as you have to fill. You customize the color & type of flowers to create an outdoor living room. There are a wide variety of annuals available for all types of sun and shade exposure. This article will go over the basics of container gardening to add…
Never thought an eggplant could be grown in a container? Have your family and friends told you it can not be done? That an eggplant plant gets very large and you'll be lucky if you even get one eggplant to grow in a container? Well, I have found it to be extrememly easy. Especially if your balcony or deck is in direct sunlight. Eggplant love sun....They are very colorful, so they make a great addition to the rest of your container garden.
Chives are perennial plants in the onion family. Their small size and tendency to grow in compact clumps makes them especially suitable for container growing. While the green, grasslike leaves are attractive, the edible blossoms add color. Common chive varieties bloom in pink or violet. The cultivars Corsica and Albiflorum have white flowers, as do garlic chives. The Forescate cultivar displays red blossoms. Create a group of several chive specimens in individual pots for an interesting display or plant several cultivars in one beautiful or unusual container.
Container gardens add flare and beauty to porches and patios. In the fall, when most spring and summer plants have passed their prime, give containers new life with cold-hardy plants that epitomize the season.
A container garden is an easy-to-implement option for people with limited yard space or bad soil. Container gardens can add decorative value to any yard or patio with the use of a variety of containers and clever placement.
Container gardens are popular in landscapes because they are flexible, mobile and pest control is easy. They are especially popular for small spaces, such as apartments or smaller yards. Creative ideas for planting container gardens are in endless supply.
A water garden adds interest to your landscaping with sound and texture. You don't have to go to the trouble of digging a hole and installing a liner to hold water and aquatic plants -- you can make a water garden out of a container. A container water garden is easy to build, and you can use just about any container withstands constant contact with water.
If you grow vegetables, perennial and annual flowers or shrubs in containers, you absolutely do not need to replace the soil in every pot each year. Instead, you can save money and resources by refreshing the soil each spring. Refreshing the soil each spring is a quick, easy and inexpensive process-and it will help your container gardens look lush year after year. Here's what you need to do.
Liquid fence is meant to keep animals off your property, not inside. Liquid fence is a group of all-natural spray products, and there is a different group of products for different animals. Liquid fence also has products to keep insects at bay. There are two classifications of products: one for professional exterminators and one for homeowners.
Miniature teepees covered with climbing beans create an attractive accent for the backyard. Full size teepees covered with pole beans provide kids with a shady hideaway, but those over containers aren't quite large enough. However, that doesn't mean they won't provide hours of make-believe fun for creative kids. Try arranging several container teepees in a circular pattern and allow kids to claim the center as a quiet play area.
Small on space or have poor soil? These minor setbacks need not deprive you of the pleasure of growing your own fresh vegetables and berries. Many can be planted in containers and grown on a patio, deck or balcony.
Small container gardening is easy, does not require soil or bark dust and can contain different plants in the same pot for different blooming times. Although small container gardening is easy, small containers can't hold a lot of water, so learn when to water container gardens with tips from a gardening specialist in this free video on plant and flower care.
Texture in a container garden can create visual interest when a bold, large leaf is paired with a fine-textured grass or herb. Play with different plant textures in a container garden with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Color can be used in a container garden to set the mood or theme, as complementary colors create a dramatic effect, similar colors are soothing, echoing colors in the leaves creates a cohesive design. Combine different colored plants to create an interesting container garden with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Planting container gardens begins by filling the container with potting soil, adding a slow-release fertilizer and teasing apart the roots before gently planting it into the soil. Plant a container garden, using contrasting colors, textures and forms, with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Plants that work well for container gardening include annuals, which bloom in the spring and summer but die by the winter, perennial flowers and trees and shrubs. Find the perfect plants for any container garden with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Watering container gardens is essential to their growth, and larger pots may only need water a few times a week while a smaller container requires daily watering. Keep a container garden moist, sure to provide adequate drainage, with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
When designing a container garden, consider the color, texture and form of each plant, combining bold colors with softer textures, pairing upright forms with weeping shapes and a using a variety of heights. Create visual interest in a container garden with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Using form in a container garden, combine upright plants, weeping or tailing plants and rounded shrubs together for a dramatic effect. Incorporate different forms and shapes into a container garden design with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Container gardens make a great addition to any large landscape, small yard, walkway, patio, deck or porch, and they even make a great welcoming statement to a home or office entry. Use container gardens to add a bit of nature to any space with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Fertilizer is an essential aspect to container gardens, as most potting soil does not contain right amount of nutrients for healthy plant growth, and fertilizer is available in slow-release and liquid forms. Fertilize a container garden, adding it weekly for healthy plants, with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
For container gardening, use a soil-less potting mixture that consists of peat moss, fine bark chips and pearlite to create adequate drainage and circulation for root development. Choose the right potting soil, as top soil is too heavy for container gardening, with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
Container gardens can be any size, from a couple of inches to several feet wide, and drainage is crucial for the health of any plant that is planted in a container. Assess the size and drainage capabilities of a plant container with helpful advice from a professional horticulturist in this free video on gardening.
When growing a small kitchen herb garden, remember to select a room that has enough light to grow herbs. Let herbs in a small-container garden dry out before re-watering them with instructions from a sustainable gardener in this free video series on gardening and plant care.
The nice thing about container gardening is that you can be creative with the pots and planters. And the nice thing about cherry tomatoes is that you can grow them in pots. Here's how you can grow lush cherry tomatoes using recycled plastic containers.
Container gardens allow you to grow anything from flowers to produce in small spaces. The movable gardens give you the freedom to grow plants whether you have little to no yard space, bad soil or limited areas of sunlight. Using containers makes gardening possible almost anywhere. Unfortunately, container gardens sometimes look bland and boring. With some simple design elements, it is possible to create striking container gardens for almost every situation.
Forget long, boring rows of lettuce. Add a whimsical touch of fun to your garden this year. This little red wagon is re-purposed as a container garden perfect for growing lettuce plants, spinach and herbs.
Stevia is a tender perennial plant that grows best in gardening zones 9 and 10. You can grow stevia indoors in containers in colder growing zones, although it acts as an annual in these cases. Stevia leaves are very sweet and used to make a natural sugar alternative with fewer calories. Growing your own stevia in your container garden is a fun way to add sweetness to salads and tea.
When money is tight, growing your own herbs, vegetables and brightly colored flowers seems like an ideal solution. Frugal gardeners, though, often discover that the cumulative price of flower pots, special soil mixes and nursery-grown plants is prohibitive. Don't let glossy gardening magazine photos of fancy ceramic pots and pricey wooden planter boxes discourage you. Instead, get creative with ordinary household items that can be repurposed to make affordable growing containers. Start your container garden project well before gardening season rolls around to save money on plants, fertilizer and supplies.
When planting a container garden, make sure the plants get enough sun, water and heat, and provide adequate drainage opportunity. Keep container garden plants covered or inside during the winter with tips from a sustainable gardener in this free video on container gardening.
The San Pedro cactus will do well living outdoors in mild or warm climates, or it can be grown in an indoor container in colder climates. Allow plenty of drainage when growing the San Pedro cactus with helpful advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.
Plants don't care what kind of a container they grow in-all they want is some fertile soil, a little moisture and some sunlight-and they're happy. So why spend lots of money on gardening containers when almost anything with relatively straight sides and some drainage holes in the bottom can act as a planter? Here are some steps to saving yourself some money on your gardening containers.
Slugs and snails are soft bodied invertebrates found in great diversity. Although usually regarded unfavorably due to their damage to garden and productions crops, slugs and snails fulfill a wide variety of ecological roles. They aid in natural decomposition, seed germination and can be important food sources for animals and humans. Control of pest species involves numerous practices many of which are ineffective. Approximately 40,000 species of terrestrial slugs and snails are recognized.
There are a number of reasons to grow a container garden. Here are some design ideas to fit into each reason for having a container garden.
Lime plaster is an old technique used in buildings before cement was used. It's coming back into popularity because it's more ecologically friendly than cement. If you're thinking of working with lime plaster, you need to know how to make it. Lime plaster does take some time and effort to create properly.
With homeowners downsizing to condos with decks or just deciding to add more texture and structure to the garden, container gardening is becoming more important to the gardener. Containers have gotten cheaper in recent years with the advent of new materials. Not only are they cheaper, but lighter, so the average gardener can move them around as season, design ideas or fancy strikes. You see glamorous containers and plants in magazines and would love to have beautiful pieces of growing art in your garden or on your deck. But the picture was taken in Hawaii and you live in Maine.…
Building a container garden is a way for city dwellers to have fresh salad makings or it can be the last resort for a suburbanite to keep them away from the rabbits and chipmunks. Container gardens grace high rise patios and rural porches. A container garden is a convenient and attractive way to bring the outdoors in and grow plants that can be easily brought indoors to extend the growing season. Here's how to get started.
Having gorgeous blooms of Color on your front Porch or Deck can make any space feel warm and inviting. If you are limited on space or just simply want to enhance your outdoor living area, a Container Garden full of long blooming Annuals will keep your summer Garden in full swing for months.
Learn how to use decorative planters and containers to spice up your garden in this free gardening video clip on garden planters, pots and flowers.
You can grow a fabulous little salad garden even if you don’t have a lot of space. Enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor by putting together your favorite salad ingredients in one big container. As long as each plant has its own space to grow you can put several different plants together in one container. Add a couple types of lettuce like arugula and Lolla Rosa, a small cherry tomato plant and if you like cucumbers or peppers, you can add those, too. You can even add a few herbs, like basil and parsley, for flavor .
Strawberries grow in three varieties, with hundreds of cultivars, sizes, bloom times and harvests. All strawberries, though, need the right conditions to thrive and bear their fruit. Plant strawberries in sites with full, bright sunshine, rich soil, and plenty of space for the best growth and harvest. If you can't offer an appropriate outdoor site, or want a more decorative strawberry garden, use different pots, flower beds and other containers for growing foundations.
Container gardening works well indoors, in greenhouses and on decks and patios, and even has some advantages over in ground gardening. With a little planning, you can have a container garden that makes the most of whatever space you have to work with.
Container gardening is as much about taking care of plants as it is about showing off some creativity and flair. Arranging and embellishing terra-cotta pots in the patio, ceramic jars on the windowsill or decorative planters in the foyer, are as enjoyable as grooming the plants that grow in them. Here are some tips and ideas on how to jazz up your container garden.
You can grow a container garden even if you don't have a lot of room. You can grow plants in pots, a planter or containers on the patio. Even the smallest porch can boast a crop of vegetables or a hanging basket of flowers.
If you don’t have much space and want fresh herbs, you can grow them in containers. Containers can go outside the kitchen, a few convenient steps away, and you can move them inside when the weather turns cold. You can also group herbs for an attractive display.
