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Container gardening is a wonderful idea whether you
have a garden bed or not. It's perfect for apartments
or small areas, but can also really enhance your patio.
Here are some tips on gardening in containers.
Every Garden can benefit from
the addition of container gardens. They add interst
and variety, plus are easily moved around. If you live
in an apartment or have a small area to work with this
may be the only solution for you.
Your Container
Your container can be pretty
much anything and is only limited to your imagination.
Just make sure there is adequate drainage for your plants.
I love old buckets, discarded kitchen pots and baskets
for a rustic feel. For a formal garden choose a more
traditional container. Regardless of your choice of
container, make sure it's not to big or too small for
your planting.
Your Soil
Do not use garden soil for your
container plants. Garden soil is too heavy, dries out
too quickly and will not provide the needed nutrients
your container plants need. You can find good potting
soil at your local garden center or you can mix your
own.
To mix your own make sure you include soil, peat, sand
and a slow release fertilizer.
Maintenance
You'll need to pay close attention
to your container grown plants -- much more than plants
in your garden beds. The soil will dry out more quickly
so frequent watering it a must. You'll also need to
fertilize more frequently. Water in the morning or evening
whenever the soil is almost dry and water thoroughly
until water comes out the bottom drainage holes.
One thing I really love about
container gardening is mobility. If a particular grouping
doesn''t work you can simply move your pots and change
your garden design.
Have fun, experiment and be creative!
For more information about gardening
see www.agardenwalk.com
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