Creating an Organic Container Garden Anywhere

Container gardening is a simple way to create a contained garden in a small space. Container gardens are ideal for small households, city apartments, and dormitory rooms. With little daily care and upkeep, your container garden can add beauty to your room while helping to keep the air fresh. Container gardens can be planted specifically to require little to zero sunlight, and in fact can be potted with several low-moisture plants that need only periodic watering. Depending on what a person desires to grow, a container garden can range from very little care to daily care. Organic container gardening ensures that people near the container are not being exposed to harmful chemicals and pesticides that might be otherwise used to fertilize or reduce the overall care needs for a plant. By using organic gardening methods, you can be sure that you aren't doing more harm than good to the environment and the individuals that reside with the container garden.

The first step to developing an organic container garden is to locate the space you would like to have a plant box. This can be a windowsill, a table, a small balcony or patio or even outside on a deck. Depending on the availability of sunlight, you can choose plants that need shade, part-shade or full sun. Many hardy or sturdy plants can live in either environment. If you live in a hot, dry climate you can consider cacti and succulents for your container garden. If you live in cool, moist environments with part-shade you can choose from perennial flowers such as violets, lilies, primroses and begonias. Choosing the flowers and plants is the perhaps the most satisfying part of designing your container garden - but don't feel limited to just the beautiful. You can also plant vegetables and small fruits if the climate in the region you live in can support it. Some vegetables that are fairly easy to grow organically include carrots, garlic, and tomatoes. Potatoes can be easily grown in a container as well. Keep in mind that it takes time to gain yields from vegetable and fruiting plants.

The second step is to build or buy a container or box and fill the container with high quality fill soil. You can layer in natural fertilizers such as bone meal and bat guano if you so choose to, and if the plants require these additions. You may need to select a loosely packed soil or maybe even volcanic soil so that water does not get retained in the container. Many plants cannot live with excessive water and may die if proper drainage is not provided. Once you have selected the container, the fill material(s) and the location you can begin planting.

The final step is planting. As you do this, make sure to select the proper time to year to plant the flowers or vegetables you have chosen. Picking the right time of year can ensure a great yield or perhaps prevent premature death. Make sure to not expose your plants to extreme temperatures, including frost or high heat. Excessive temperatures can be as detrimental to plants as cold temperatures. Make sure to tend to your plants properly so that they don't suffer. Container gardening is practical and functional, but keep in mind that it is not natural in the wild. Plants must be tended to - even if they are just bromeliads or living stones that seem to require no attention. With care, your organic container garden can be a magnificent sight and a pleasurable addition to any area.