Container Gardening

I have been working steadily on making my floral gallery as well as sorting my photograpghy for it and writing the desciptions for each plant that I have photographed,however; it is much more work then I had imagined and I am quite sure this will take me a while to complete. It shall all be worth it once it is finished, that I am quite sure of!
Today I am talking about container gardening which is also a good way to do gardening for a various number of reasons ,as you shall see.

Do you live in an apartment complex where digging
up a little sod is out of the question? Or, maybe
you just don’t have the physical ability to tend a
large garden, but still want the benefits and
rewards of having one. Have you considered
container gardening?

Container gardening is simply growing your garden
in - you guessed it - containers! It was born of a
strong desire, and in some cases a need, to
produce herbs, vegetables, and flowers within a
limited amount of space and/or poor soil
conditions.
When one thinks of a garden, the first image that to comes to mind is likely to include manicured lawns and spacious flower beds. Yet in the world of the twenty-first century, where many living spaces lack the space to create such a natural panorama, the popularity of smaller, mobile, and more creative expressions of the love of nature is on the increase. Container gardens are, for many, the preferred approach to bringing to life plants of all descriptions.
You can get just as creative with a container
garden as you can with a large garden, maybe even
more so. Look for unique decorations and whimsical
statues to add to your garden and you’ve got your
own perfect little slice of nature!



Container gardening can be beneficial for many
individuals and situations:
• The disabled and the elderly - container
gardening offers easy access.
• Problem soil - input your own high-quality soil.
• Space - utilizes minimal space.
• Apartments/Condos - addresses limited access to
garden plots.
• Gourmet cooking - easily grow fresh herbs and
vegetables for cooking.
• Plant enthusiasts - for those who just can’t get
enough gardening!
• Mobility - container gardens are easy to move
around as needed.
• Convenience. Keeps your flowers, vegetables, or
herbs close at hand.

Your container gardening secrets:The design of your container garden needn’t be complicated or even expensive. For a simple, yet
effective container gardening, follow these simple
steps:
1) Determine how much space you have available.
2) Determine what types of plants you want to
grow.
3) Select your containers accordingly.
4) Choose your soil mixture.
5) Take into account the availability of sunlight
and shade.
6) Shop around for just the right plants, soils,
and containers, at just the right price.
7) Make everything look good! Get some decorative
planters, or accent with a fountain.

All you need to get started with container
gardening is enough space for a comfortable chair
and a few large planters or ceramic pots.

Fragarance
Many annuals give off a scent. So, why just go for
visual pleasure in container gardens when you can
add some wonderful fragrances to your home. Try
dianthus, sweet alyssum, candytuft, petunia,
heliotrope, or sweet pea. To get the most
enjoyment from these and other fragrant plants,
position them where your nose will find them: on a
deck in containers; close to a window; and on the
edges of your garden, patio, pathway or porch.

Bug Problems
If bad bugs are a problem (unlike lady bugs or
other good bugs who feed on the bad ones) here's a
simple organic potion to keep them away. In a
blender mix 4 cloves of garlic with 1 chopped
onion. Place this mixture in a large glass jar and
add 2 cups of water. Add 2 teaspoons of bottled
hot pepper sauce, stir ingredients together and
steep for 2 days. Strain the mixture and add one
tablespoon mild liquid dish detergent. Then dilute
with 5 cups of water. Using a mister, spray plants
once a week and watch the bugs retreat. See pests
and disease.

Perennials for Containers
African lilies, Asparagus ferns, A variety of Bulbs, Tickseed, Ferns, Coral bells, Plantain Lilies, Lavender, Purple fountain grass,Cranesbill,Primrose,Miniature Roses and Violas.

Annuals for Containers
Geranium,Lobelia,Pansies,Begonia,Salvia and Marigold

Mix and Match
Mix several sizes, shapes and colours all in the
same container for a variety of distinctive looks.
Have fun with your container garden. Try a spike
of dracaena in the centre, surround with Geraniums or Begonias and fill in the rim with a trailing Lobelia which will spill over the edge. Choose plants with similar sun needs when combining together in a container. Or, use a trick from Mother Nature by combining plants that help each other...a sun-loving larger plant shades a smaller plant which thrives on only partial sun.

Buying plants
When buying plants carefully select ones that have
a healthy appearance and good natural shape.
Balanced proportion can affect plant growth.
Trunks should be straight and plants shouldn't
have twisted, slanted or deformed stems. Avoid
plants that have major limbs that are missing or
broken.

Once you have purchased your plants, get your chair, sit down, be creative and choose the plants you would like to have together, plant them,water them and congradulations your on your way to having a beautiful container garden even with little to no experience and you can now call yourself a gardener!

That's it for today folks.
Until the next time happy gardening!