Growing Your Garden in Pots
Road Map
- What is Container Gardening?
- What is the Secret to Container Gardening?
- Container Gardening Checklist
- Let Bloomin’ Easy Get You Started!
Welcome to efficient, accessible gardening! Container gardens have become a growing trend in recent years and with due cause. In this blog, we are going to explore all things pots!
1. What is a Container Garden?
Container gardening is a method of growing plants in containers instead of planting them directly in the ground. This approach offers several advantages and is popular for a variety of reasons, especially for those with limited space or challenging soil conditions.
Benefits include:
- Space Efficiency: Ideal for small spaces such as balconies or patios.
- Mobility: Containers can be moved to adjust for sunlight or temperature.
- Soil Control: Allows for precise control over soil type and quality.
- Pest and Disease Management: Isolated plants are easier to control pests and diseases.
- Versatility: Suitable for growing a wide range of plants.
- Aesthetics: Enhances the visual appeal of outdoor and indoor spaces.
2. What is the Secret to Container Gardening?
Think of each pot as its own ecosystem. When plants are in the ground, they can feed off each other, grow deep and intertwined roots, and receive insulation from a wide covering of soil. While there is a higher chance of disease and pests, there is also strength in community as each plant can help the other grow. So in a container garden, we have to take extra thought into placement, watering, and housing for our plants. With all these factors in mind, one way we suggest to simplify is by buying plants that belong to a colder zone so that their lack of insulation won’t affect them come the winter months.
- Containers
Get good pots. This is essential to Container Gardening. Bigger ones will inspire more growth. Smaller ones will add dimension to the look. There are a couple types of containers to choose from. Pots and planters are a classic. Terracotta or clay plants work better in wetter climates as they seep water more than other pot materials. Hanging baskets can add greenery to vertical spaces. Window boxes are charming for flowers and herbs. Barrels and tubs can be an excellent option for mixing plants or inspiring high vegetable yield and growth. Lastly, self-watering containers create ease in the up-keep process. With all these containers, ensuring there is adequate drainage is pertinent as it prevents waterlogging and root rot.
- Soil
Drainage continues to be the key here. Using a high-quality, well-draining potting mix rather than garden soil will keep your plants healthy and happy. The dirt in containers is only a lightweight insulator. It is important to be mindful of temperature changes, as containers can heat up or cool down faster than ground soil. If you worry the dirt jacket won’t be enough, don’t worry! Add a blanket! Burlap or bubble wrap will also work.
- Watering
Containers dry out faster than ground soil, so monitor moisture levels regularly and water as needed. You will know they need water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. You may need to check as frequently as once a day. Especially during hot summer months!
- Fertilizer
Feed your plants frequently. Container plants need consistent feeding. As mentioned, pots need to have good drainage to keep roots healthy, which means high water leakage, which also means nutrient leaking.
- Placement
Think through the shade or sun exposure in the space where you’ll be placing your contained plants—position plants so they can receive sufficient light for each variation. A tip is to keep your pots a couple of inches away from the walls so they can still receive sunlight or rain. The good thing is container gardening offers grace. If a specific location isn’t working for your plant, they are so easy to move. Periodically repotting your plants allows them to grow with more room and refreshing new soil.
3. Container Gardening Checklist
- What zone do I live in?
- How much shade/sun do I get in the area I want to start this container garden?
- What kind of containers should I purchase?
- What look and feel do I want? Colorful? Minimal? Vegetables or flowers? Both?
- Buy plants and pots! Consult store experts where needed.
- Plant my plants.
- Arrange.
- Water frequently.
- Adjust where needed.
4. Let Bloomin' Easy Get You Started!
While we value compact attributes in all our plants, we have cultivated a specific collection for this exact gardening project! Here are a few of our suggestions:
Afterglow™ Weigela (for ambiance)
*Good for any kind of pot.
Poprocks® Petite Spirea (for pollinators)
*Wide mouthed pot with good drainage like terracotta pots.
Cinnamon Hearts™ Rose (for sweet roses)
*Tall terracotta clay pot optimal for root growth and moisture control.
Pearl Potion™ Lilac (for floral smells)
*Large terracotta pot for growth.
Private Jet™ Arborvitae (for privacy)
*Larger size for less transplanting. Ceramic or plastic.
Want an herb container garden? Get started with our Curated Collection Bag O’ Herbs!
Find one of our Retailers at a Store near you!
Or, have it all delivered right to your door!