Beginning a Garden - Container Gardening

This is one of our favorites, and we've used it for years! Container gardening is often the unsung hero of gardening.  It seems like the trend has been moving toward raised beds, and there will always be the traditional in-ground garden.  But, IF you haven't tried container gardening - YOU SHOULD! 

There are so many benefits, and honestly, only a few things could be viewed as a bit difficult; but, not something that should cause you to shy away from it. There are so many vegetables and fruits that thrive in pots and smaller garden spaces - a container allows for quick and easy garden set-ups that can yield an abundant harvest with minimal effort.  

There are countless reasons you should try this type of gardening or even add it to your gardening plan. Some of those include: if you are limited on outdoor space, the convenience of having fresh vegetables and fruit right outside your back door (or, front, in some cases), there is no need to prepare a garden bed or build raised containers, easy access for harvesting and watering, can be moved around and relocated, on the less expensive side of other options and probably my favorite......NO WEEDING. 

Here are a few things to consider:  

• Choose a location that, like other garden options, will receive at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily.
• Collect your containers. You can use some you have on hand, purchase to match the aesthetics of your patio or porch, collect them from friends or family or collect containers that may not necessarily be intended as a garden pot, but would work just as well. 
• Make sure your containers have holes in the bottom to allow for proper drainage. If they don't - drill some. It's an easy fix, but is a critical factor.  
• Use an excellent purchased potting soil or mix one of your own. It needs to be a lightweight, high-quality mix.  
• Containers require watering more often. Check the soil moisture every day as they usually require at least daily watering; however, on days with higher temperatures, they may need watering in the morning and evening to keep the plants well hydrated. 
• Fertilization can assist in your harvest in a big way. Often a soil-released fertilizer works perfectly.    
• Mulch can be added to aid in moisture retention.  
• Select vegetables and fruits that thrive in a smaller space such as strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, swiss chard, kale, herbs that thrive but aren't too big such as melons.  The list goes on! 

Whether you term it an urban garden, a patio, or a porch garden - if you are limited by space, this is a perfect alternative to try! It is well worth the effort and is an enjoyable space to visit daily.