By Jacklyn Krysa, Sponsorship Manager & Valerie Reinhardt, Horticulture Manager

Not blessed with abundant gardening space with perfect gardening conditions? Still crave the splash of color of flora gardens or the reward of a home-grown tomato but don’t have the space to tend a full-scale garden? Then container gardening is for you.

Planting in containers is an easy way to spruce up your outdoor space without the hassle of weeding a garden (and they are versatile!). Contaniers can be placed on a patio, deck, an apartment balcony or any place you need a little color. You can plant containers with perennials, annuals and even vegetables. Containers also make ideal mini herb gardens. Plant a container of herbs outside the kitchen door for easy access and fresh herbs whenever you need them. Their roots aren’t too deep, so they are able to grow all season in containers (even over the winter if brought indoors).

Any container that can hold soil can be planted in, but size and drainage need to be addressed. Drainage is a must–even plants that need lots of water still need good drainage. If not properly drained, mineral salt buildup in the soil leads to root rot problems. An easy solution is to add some small gravel to the bottom of your containers.

If you plan to grow vegetables, you must take size and type of container into consideration. Large containers work best as they allow for plenty of water-holding capacity since most vegetable plants are heavy water users and the plants themselves tend to be large. Green beans, lettuce and spinach can grow readily in medium to large container, but tomatoes and squash need large containers. Tomatoes also require a deeper container to accommodate their long roots and stems. 

Clay pots are porous and have the benefit of breathability, but they cannot be left out over winter as they will freeze and crack. They also dry out faster than plastic but can be ideal for cacti and succulents that you may want to move indoors during the winter months. Heavier pots are good for plants that can be top heavy. Livestock water troughs make terrific raised beds to combine multiple plants together in a mini garden (be sure to add drainage holes at the bottom first though).

The most important ingredient in all types of gardens is soil! An organic compost mix is best. Even the best potting mix contains a limited amount of soil nutrients, so slow-release fertilizer must be added to the container or you must fertilize regularly during active growing season. Remember to water frequently–the soil should be moist to the touch. Do not oversaturate though, as that can drown the plants.

In our zone 6b, now is the time to start your outdoor container garden! Have the satisfaction of growing your own ingredients to make salads, pizzas and healthy snacks all summer long. Use seedlings you started or head out to your local greenhouse and purchase some plants, herbs and flowers! Happy gardening!