Flower and plant containers can dress up the look of your house. They add curb appeal and can even be used to grow herbs, edible flowers, fruits (strawberries), and vegetables for cooking. You can make your own with a few Mindful container gardening tips.
Plant containers can be made out of practically anything. You could buy decorative ceramic pots, but research shows that one in four gardeners prefer being and buying “green.” Salvaged finds like wooden fruit boxes, old birdhouses, cracked teacups, and rusty wagons can make eclectic planters. Or you can also create your own planters by gluing together old floppy disks, wrapping linen around milk cartons, or painting old yogurt containers.
5 Easy Container Gardening Tips
Whatever you decide, follow these simple ideas to make container gardening a mindful and easy project!
A layer of gravel
Make sure your plant container is well drained! Add a thin layer of pea gravel or small rocks in the bottom of your pot. This also adds extra weight to your container (if you decide to go with a plastic container, the rocks will help weigh the container down). Container plants require attention and water almost daily. Proper irrigation will keep them from dying.
Compost or rich soil
Do you have compost that you’ve been saving? Use mineral and nutrient-rich soil in your container. If you decide to use native soil, mix it with a compost of brewed tea, coffee grinds or broken egg shells. You can also learn to make your own compost here.
Start small
You might be eager to have a container that’s overflowing with plants and flowers. But that takes time! To avoid root crowding, start with small plants that will grow bigger through the season. Buying small plants can save you money. You can also propagate your own plants using small cuttings of begonias, impatience, geraniums and sweet potato vines (just take a small cutting and stick it in water until roots start to come out; then transfer to soil).
Perennials vs. Annuals
Annuals look fabulous but must be replanted year after year. If you don’t want the trouble of replanting the container again during fall/winter, consider perennials. Avoid mixing perennials and annuals in the same container for maintenance issues. Some perennials offer beautiful color and curb appeal. Try coral bells, sage, thyme, and lambs ear.
Sun vs. Shade
Make sure your plants share the same nutrient requirements, which are sunshine, water, and soil. This tip goes back to number four!
Bonus. Take your newfound skills and create a window box for your home. It’ll instantly update your home. If you plant herbs, it’s particularly useful outside your kitchen window. Here are a few Mindful ideas.