Where you live certainly affects your garden’s size and what it will look like, but you can garden no matter where you live. Even apartment dwellers without access to a balcony or community garden can grow a few things in a window box or indoors. Container gardening is more manageable in some ways, but like anything, it comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few tips to help you successfully get started with container gardening.

#1 Select or Create Containers with Proper Drainage

Most plants don’t thrive in constantly soggy soil. Selecting pots with drainage holes, or drilling some yourself, is a great way to avoid this problem.

#2 Use Safe Containers

As cute as vintage flower pots may be, some can be dangerous. It’s still possible to find old pots made with asbestos or lead paint. Terracotta or newer ceramics are great choices if you want to avoid plastic.

#3 Choose Well-Suited Varieties

Not every plant will tolerate life in a container, but there are plenty of excellent varieties that will! Be sure to check smaller dwarf varieties and plants known for their general ease of growing, like beans. Check out our post 12 Varieties Perfect for Container Growing for ideas.

#4 Put Your Garden Somewhere Visible

If you can, it’s best to put your containers somewhere you will walk past every day. This ensures you notice any pest and disease problems or nutrient deficiencies right away. You’ll also be able to water them frequently. Outdoor containers can dry out much faster than a traditional garden.

Suppose you struggle to keep up with watering your container garden. In that case, you can also automate this with small, simple irrigation systems. Collecting rainwater for your watering needs is a great option.

#5 Use Mulch

I’m a big advocate of mulch in any type of garden. It can be beneficial in container gardens for keeping the soil moist and slowly adding nutrients.

#6 Watch for Deficiencies

Due to the limited soil, a pot can hold, container gardens are sometimes more prone to nutritional deficiencies. Watch for signs of deficiencies like yellowing leaves or stunted growth. You may need to add amendments or fertilizer. Watering with compost tea is a great option, especially when plants are flowering and getting ready to set fruit.

#7 Harvest and Deadhead Often

Harvesting and deadheading can actually encourage further flowering and fruiting. Keep peas, beans, squash, and other vegetables harvested. Always deadhead flowers like marigolds, zinnias, bachelors buttons, and other flowers to keep them blooming.

#8 Companion Plant in Large Containers

If you’ve got the space, companion planting is always a good idea. It can also add height and interest to your garden. Grow a few peas or pole beans on trellises in the back of a large container with greens or root vegetables in the front. Plant low growing or creeping species like thyme around more upright plants like peppers or tomatoes.

#9 Use Potting Soil

It can be tempting to use garden soil, but your plants will thank you for using potting soil. Potting soil drains well but also absorbs some moisture. It can help you avoid issues like soil compaction and root rot in your container garden.

#10  Use Light Color Pots or Shade Them

Many crops and flowers prefer full sun and should be provided with as close to that as possible. Unfortunately, the soil can get too hot and dry when growing in containers. Using light-colored containers, watering frequently, or providing shade over the pot (but not the plant) can help.

Gardening is possible anywhere. Use these tips to grow a successful container garden!

While society is continually changing, the latest statistics on American childhoods are shocking and a bit frightening. According to the Child Mind Institute, “the average American child is said to spend 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured play outdoors, and over 7 hours a day in front of a screen.” One way that we can involve children of all ages and abilities in the outdoors is through gardening. Growing a small plot of herbs, flowers, or vegetables with kids has many benefits.

It teaches responsibility. 

Planting a few beans is an excellent way to give your child a bit of experience caring for a living thing. They’ll get an opportunity to see how their efforts help determine whether plants fail or thrive. It’s also cheaper than a puppy, and you might get beans!

Kids eat more fruit and veggies.

It may be somewhat surprising that growing kale may convince your child to try it, but results from a 2016 study suggest just that. The study found that out of 14 reports looking at school and community gardening programs, ten showed that participating children increased their fruit and vegetable intake.

Gardening is excellent for stress relief. 

It will come as no surprise to many gardeners that it’s an excellent activity for stress relief. Spending time outdoors together as a family can help children deal with their emotions. Interestingly, it may be more than just the exercise and fresh air. A recent study found that exposure to one specific soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, may improve moods and alleviate depression.

It improves their health.

As we mentioned above, gardening helps kids relax and make healthy eating choices. It helps in various other ways too. Gardening is good exercise, provides a healthy dose of vitamin D, and can improve children’s immune systems by exposing them to beneficial bacteria. Jack Gilbert, co-author of a book called Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System, says that being exposed to animals, plants, and soil regularly can help improve children’s immune systems and prevent illnesses like eczema and asthma. 

You’re helping to create the next generation of activists.

Spending time in the garden now helps shape the adult your child becomes. A study from the American Society for Horticultural Science found that children involved in garden programs developed better environmental attitudes. 

So teach your children about heirlooms and seed saving. Let them get dirty and plant rows of peas. Grow tea gardens or bean tipis together. Start planning your garden this winter! Check out our other posts, Spring Garden Activities for Kids, Get Your Kids Involved in the Garden, and 14 Varieties to Help Kids Fall in Love With Growing Food for more information.