May 15th

By Mutt Mulligan

Container Gardening 101

Just because you have a small backyard or live in a highrise doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beauty and benefits of gardening. You can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers and even citrus fruits in containers on balconies and porches.

Container gardening for small spaces, photo courtesy of National Gardening Association.

Here are some tips for successful container gardening.

• Don’t be afraid to be bold in your container choices! You can plant in anything from ceramic pots to wooden planters. Just make sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Hanging baskets can be a great choice to fill a small space with color.
• Select plants carefully. Those with a long blooming period are a good, low-maintenance choice. Annuals that are short are easier to maintain in pots, since taller plants often need to be staked to grow properly.
• Containers can dry out quickly in hot weather, so be prepared to water frequently.
• The roots of perennial plants can fill the entire pot and cause the plants to become stunted. From time to time you may need to move these plants into larger pots.

Do you have a container gardening success story? Share it below or on TurfMutt’s Facebook page.