Spring is finally here, which means more sun and flowers in bloom. With the warmer weather ahead, you may be itching to get outside and garden, but if you don’t have the space, you may be wondering if there are any alternatives. Container gardening – when plants are grown in a pot instead of the ground, is the perfect solution for those who don’t have an actual garden but want to reap the benefits of growing herbs, plants, or flowers. To help you get started, we reached out to experts from Boston, MA to Vancouver, BC for their best spring container gardening tips. Keep reading to see what they have to say.
Go with self-care container gardening solutions
It is important that your plant receives adequate sunlight and water for proper growth. Consider different gardening solutions which have inbuilt grow lights and a water reservoir that takes care of your plant for you. – Altifarm Enverde
Try the Horace Pippin’s Fish Pepper
I find that Horace Pippin’s “Fish Pepper” is an excellent pepper for container gardening. They are eye-catching with their variegated leaves and fruit, and their small stature means that they do not need support like many other peppers. It is a delicious heirloom with a great story. – Song to Seed
When growing tomatoes, go with a deep container
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and do best in a potting mix enriched with compost or a slow-release fertilizer. Though they love the heat, a deep container will keep roots cool and moist. Knowing what type of tomato you’re selecting can help you estimate the container size and space you’ll need to ensure your most bountiful harvest.” – Lindsay Springer, Gardyn
Perennials are great options for container gardening
Container gardening can be more than annuals or veggies. Think about tossing in one (or a few) of your favorite perennials along with some seasonal annuals. This way your container can be a little more sustainable, but you’ll still have some colorful flowers year-round. Make sure whatever perennials you choose are rated for a zone or two colder than your home planting zone so if the pot freezes you know your perennial plants will survive that harsh winter weather. – Plant Magic Gardens
Use all the same plants
One spring container gardening tip is to consider using all of the same plants instead of mixing different varieties. Instead of three different plants, choose one type in one color for a bold monochromatic effect. – Zone 6 Design
Use commercial potting soil to fill containers
Soil from your garden will dry out and form large clumps and reduce water drainage. Make sure to sow crops that have similar light needs. Do not plant low-light plants with other plants that need a lot of light. – Growing Veterans
Try fruit trees
I have seen full-grown figs, lemons, and an assortment of other fruit trees flourishing in wine barrels. The idea is to do a bit of research and give your plants the room and light they need to grow. This method of gardening allows you to grow food anywhere from your porch, to your balcony to the sidewalk and even your rooftop. Take advantage of the vertical space in your container and add trellises, teepees, or wire cages for all vegetables that benefit from trellising. – The Living Seed Company
Bring some charm into your space with terra cotta pots
Add some vintage charm by naturally and quickly aging your new terra cotta pots. Use a foam brush to coat pots with plain yogurt and leave it to cure in a shaded place for a few weeks. After, fill with lush ferns and adorn with one of our favorite rusty metal gardens picks for a rustic, eclectic look. – Fruit and Flower Shop
Buy safe, non-invasive plant varieties
Our favorite spring container gardening tip is to buy safe, non-invasive plant varieties that keep your local ecosystem and plants protected. Look for varieties that are native to your ecoregion, are free of invasive pest species, and look healthy. – Plant Sentry
Make sure you have good drainage
Good drainage is the master hack of container gardening. The container’s base must have enough holes to allow the escape of excess water. This will prevent stagnant water from harming the plant over time. Proper drainage almost entirely eliminates the dangers posed by over-watering. – Florida Seed & Garden
Compost with worms
Composting with worms is the rocket fuel for your container-grown plants. Just topdress your container with about an inch of lovely worm compost and water in well. Stand back and wait to be amazed by the results. – The Wonderful Garden
Use a self-watering sub-irrigation container
Plants die for one of a few reasons: one of the most common mistakes is either too little or too much water. Overwatering causes root rot because the water has nowhere to go unless it is set up with proper drainage; this also is a home for breeding fungus and bad bacteria to spawn. By using a self-watering sub-irrigation garden container, it allows just the right amount of water to soil combination for optimal plant hydration every time allowing your plants to reach their max potential thus giving you greater growth and higher yields. Happy planting. – Farm Daddy
Go with a non-peat-based garden mix
The ideal indoor container garden mix would be non-peat-based (they have lots of unnecessary additives and fillers like plastic) preferably one that is coconut-coir-based. Coconut coir is a renewable source ideal for container gardens especially if you tend to overwater your plants like most people. You can mix your own potting medium using coco-coir, perlite, vermiculite or rice hulls, and horticulture charcoal: 50% coco-coir based, 25% perlite, 20% vermiculite/rice hulls, and 5% horticulture charcoal. These ingredients can easily be found online or at your local garden center. Alternatively, you can save time and the mess by purchasing a pre-mixed medium. Plant the Jungle offers a soil-less potting medium that is organic, renewable, and specifically formulated for container gardening. – Plant the Jungle
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