Olivia Griffin
Container gardening offers numerous benefits beyond the enjoyment of growing plants, particularly to those with limited space.
It is relatively cost-effective and makes it possible to grow plants anywhere. Balconies, patios or indoors all have the potential to become gardens. All of these factors combined making growing plants accessible to everyone.
The Benefits of Container Gardening
Gardening acts as a powerful stress reliever. The act of nurturing plants is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, by providing a sense of calm and purpose. Sunlight boosts vitamin D levels, which is essential for bone health and immune function. As a result, gardening is highly beneficial for overall health.
Growing your own produce also supports local biodiversity. It creates habitats for pollinators and other wildlife, while reducing the carbon footprint associated with commercially produced food.
“Gardening is a process of trial and error, but it offers a profound sense of accomplishment.”
But many people don’t have access to an outdoor garden. This is where container gardening comes into play.
Container gardens promote healthy plant growth. They provide excellent control over soil quality, water drainage and sunlight exposure. The method is extremely versatile, enabling the cultivation of a wide variety of plants. From herbs and vegetables to flowers and shrubs, the possibilities are endless!
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How To Start Container Gardening
Step One: Choose The Correct Container For Your Space
Select containers large enough to accommodate the plants you want to grow. Ensure they have enough depth for root growth. Make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Containers can be made of plastic, terracotta, ceramic or metal. Each material has its pros and cons. Plastic is more lightweight and easier to move around, whereas terracotta is heavier but more breathable.
Containers can be expensive to buy new from garden centres. Instead, look on second-hand sites like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or community groups. Often local gardeners give containers away free of charge.
Step Two: What Would You Like To Grow?
Match your plants to the amount of sunlight your space receives. Some plants thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade.
Choose suitable plants: herbs, salad greens, courgettes and tomatoes are great for container gardening. If you have floral visions, varieties of sweet peas, cosmos and snapdragons are perfect. Make sure to check the back of the seed packet to ensure you can provide them with enough space.
Also ensure these plants are appropriate for the current season. In colder climates, consider bringing some containers indoors. Frost protection methods, like cold frames, can be useful during the winter months.
Step Three: Use Quality Potting Mix
Use a high-quality potting mix designed for container gardening. Try to avoid using garden soil as it can be too dense and may not drain well.
John Innes, a renowned horticulturist, developed a series of potting composts in the 1930s. These are specifically designed for container gardening and plenty of information is available online.
Any peat-free multipurpose compost can be used. But it may be necessary to amend your mix with other organic matter (like manure, leaf mould or mulch). This improves the soil fertility and structure.
Step Four: Planting Your Containers
Plant your seeds or plants at the correct depth following the guidance on seed packets or plant tags. Make sure the plants are properly spaced to allow for growth and airflow. This helps prevent disease and stops the plants from strangling each other.
@marfskitchengarden Lots more info in the caption- so if you want to try this give it a read! I buy my seed potatoes online or from the garden centre so I know what variety I’m growing, how long they take and how much space they need. Different varieties of potatoes are class as either first early second early or maincrop. First earlies are the quickest to grow giving you ‘new potatoes’ Second earlies take a few weeks longer and maincrop – think your big roasting / mashing spuds are maincrop and take 18-20 weeks. I grow mostly first and second earlies in containers because they are quick and don’t need as much space. Leaving your potatoes in a light area to sprout is a process known as ‘chitting’ you don’t have to do it it just gets your plants growing quicker. You can start potatoes from March in the UK, but can happily keep planting them through till May/June. Potato foliage is tender and will be damaged by frost. A light frost won’t harm potatoes growing under the soil but it will harm the leaves, so pop them in a frost free shed overnight if frost is forecast. Last year I used multipurpose peat free compost – this year I am going to be testing out shop bought compost vs garden soil and home made compost because I know the cost of compost is a big obstacle for many gardeners! Potatoes like plenty of sun, plenty of water and if grown in containers will benefit from an organic liquid plant feed every couple of weeks when in full growth. Digging up your own potatoes is the best! And growing in containers means you don’t end up damaging any with your fork digging or accidentally leave any behind! It’s really such a great way to grow them. #potatoes #containergarden #growfood #gardeningforbeginners
Step Five: Watering and Feeding
Containers dry out faster than garden beds. Check the soil moisture regularly and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. There is no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to watering. Use gardening intuition (and research!) to keep the plants happy and healthy.
Nutrients in containers can deplete quickly. As the growing season progresses, it may be necessary to use a fertiliser every few weeks. There is such a wide variety of fertilisers for a multitude of ailments. Ask a local garden centre or plant nursery for specific advice.
Step Six: Position Your Plants
Make sure the containers are easily accessible for watering, feeding and harvesting. Place the containers in areas that receive the right amount of sunlight for the plants.
One of the benefits of container gardening is that plants can be easily moved in and out of the sunlight.
Make sure to regularly rotate the plants to ensure even light exposure. At the end of each growing season, refresh containers by adding compost or new potting soil.
Step Seven: Maintenance
Regularly prune and pinch back plants to remove dead or diseased parts. This technique also encourages bushier growth.
Monitor the plants for pests and diseases, even if the container is inside. Use organic controls as needed or following product instructions.
Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labour (Literally)
The beauty of gardening is that even the most seasoned horticulturalists make mistakes. Gardening is a process of trial and error, but it offers a profound sense of accomplishment.
Watching seeds sprout and grow into mature plants under your care fosters a sense of pride and joy.
Gardening (in any form) creates a deep connection to the natural world. This connection is increasingly dwindling, but is an important one we must protect.
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Featured image courtesy of Pelargoniums for Europe on Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image licence found here.
