Container gardening is probably the easiest way to go about starting your own organic garden. However, if you are going to do container gardening then you need to know a few things about how to do it properly. Container gardening can be fun and relaxing when done correctly. Here are a few things you will want to keep in mind when container gardening:
Think about the size of the container that you will use for your plants. The size of the container you use will determine the type of plants you will be growing. If you choose to grow flowers then you will need a large-sized container. Most plants will not grow well in small containers. The plants need room to grow and they also need to be able to get some sunlight.
Choose a Container that will work for you. This will help you decide what type of plants you are going to grow. You will also need to think about the space you have to grow the plants. The size of the container you use will also affect the amount of nutrients the plants get from the soil. Make sure that you keep the amount of nutrients at a minimum for plants that grow well in low nutrient soils. Plants that are grown in high nutrient soils may need fertilizer more often and this can get costly.
It is best to plant in containers that have drainage holes in them. This will help the plants get air through the container and move water from one side of the container to the other. When the plants are young, they will find the holes to be convenient and will just go there.
Pick a container that is an even size. Plants that grow to be large can become tangled in the holes of the container. As the plants grow they will be bothered and it may be harder to get rid of them in the long run.
Keep the soil of the container moist. If the soil is too dry it will not be very useful. Too much moisture in the soil can cause the roots to rot. However, too little moisture can also cause the roots to over-burden the container and cause it to rot.
If the soil of the container is too wet or soggy, then the roots will die. While some seeds can germinate well in wet soil, the roots may rot. If the roots rot, it can take years to plant the plant and harvest the fruit or vegetables.
Keep the Container Well Tended. The most difficult part of container gardening is getting the soil to drain. The roots of the plants should have a way to reach the top of the container. If the soil in the container drains poorly, the plants will be dead in only a couple of weeks.
Consider other ways to get the soil to drain. If the container is just standing water will slowly seep into the container and decompose the roots. Use a sprinkler to help get the soil draining so that the roots will not be deprived of water.
One big sign that the roots have reached the bottom of the container is the fall of a leaf. If you notice this sign you can pull the leaf out. This is especially true if you have plants that have fruit and flowers in them.
Water the Container When the Time is Right. When you are going to water the container, try to water when the sun is bright and the temperatures are at the proper level. A good idea is to water two or three times a week during warm weather and twice a week during cold weather.
Watering the container should be done about once a week but be careful not to water for too long. Watering the container can dry out the soil and cause root rot if it is not done properly.