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A Container Garden is simply a garden made up of plants growing in growing containers or pots. In some cases, this method is used for purely ornamental purposes. This is also useful in areas with unsuitable soil for the crop in question. If you have limited growing space, this option can be appealing to the gardener.
There are many types of plants suitable for container gardening , including decorative flowers, vegetables, herbs, and even small trees.
Container gardens can vary in size from just a few small pots, to large rows of irrigated pots. They can be found on porches, steps, and even on rooftops.
Any vessel is ok if it has some drainage - even something like an old boot will do if there is a hole in the bottom. Drainage is to container gardening as location is to land. It's everything.
Quality makes a great starting point for gardeners with disabilities. The main considerations given are things like the size of the container, decent drainage, and the requirements of the plant in question.
Small containers like ceramic pots or large food cans can be placed on benches for accessibility. Whilst there are a number of commercially availiable plant containers available, wooden boxes, barrels, and even old bathtubs work equally well, if not better.
Often, people who live in an apartment, or flat, or even a mobile home would not grow a vegetable garden because space is is too limited for a garden plot. In reality, lack of yard space is not an excuse for not gardening, since many kinds of vegetables can quite readily be grown in containers. In addition to making sure that five hours or more of full sun is provided, attention must be given to choosing the right kind of container, using the right good soil mix, planting and spacing requirements, fertilizing, watering, and variety selection.
Containers come in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. All containers, whether they are made of clay, wood, plastic, or ceramic, should have an enough holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Additional holes should be drilled or punched in containers that don't drain quickly after each watering. Drainage is actually reduced when the container is set on a solid surface such as a cement or patio floor, however by raising it just one or two inches off the floor by setting it on blocks of wood will solve this problem.
The size of the container is determined by the vegetable grown. Generally, just about all vegetables grown in the soil can be grown in containers so long as long as enough space is provided for root development. Shallow rooted crops like lettuce, peppers, radishes, and herbs need a container that are at least 6 inches in diameter with an eight inch soil depth. Bushel baskets, half barrels, wooden tubs, and even large pressed paper containers are quite ideal for growing tomatoes, squash, pole beans, and cucumbers.
The most suitable planting medium for containers should provide rapid drainage with enough water retention to keep the root zone moist in a uniform manner. Most container gardeners have found that a "soilless" potting mix works best. In addition to the issue of drainage, "soilless" mixes are lightweight and are free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. These mixes can be purchased from garden centers in various sizes and under many different brand names.
 The do-it-yourself individual can make a planting medium themself by mixing equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and some peat moss (not Kate's half brother). The mix should then be heated in an oven for 1 hour at 210o F so as to kill any bacteria, fungi, insects,and weed seeds.
The planting and spacing requirements for most vegetables can usually be found on the seed packet or on the plant tag. Remember that a container can sustain only a certain number of plants, and therefore it is important to limit the number of such plants based on the container size and taking into account the eventual size of the plant at its maturity. You should always plant more seed than needed in each container, as there is seldom 100% germination and emergence. After the seeds have sprouted and the foliage of the seedlings is touching, you can then thin plants to the desired number.
You should use fertilization applications using a complete analysis soon after since soilless mixes contain little if any nutrients. There are many specially formulated fertilizers available. The most common N-P-K formulations are 5-10-10 and 10-10-10. Time-release fertilizer (Osmocote 14-14-14) - they release nutrients over a period of time. Since many gardeners tend to be heavy-handed when it comes to applying fertilizer, it can be to the plant's advantage to apply fertilizer at only half the label's recommendation and do so twice as often.
Watering of course is one of the most important aspects of container gardening. Some vegetables need watering every day, and this also depends on container size and weather conditions. I find the best way to water is with a watering can or gentle sprayer attachment on a garden hose. Make sure that the water is cool before applying it to the vegetables, especially so if the hose sits in the sun. Hot water does not stimulate root development, and if i is too hot can kill them. | 