Urban Oasis: Container Gardening for Apartment Dwellers

Ever wish you had a decorative or relaxing touch to liven up your apartment? Depressed by expensive décor? Whether you've just moved to the city or you're a downtown dweller for life, you should know that a little green can go a long way in your apartment. Container gardening is a great solution for the budget-minded looking for a getaway within their own homes - it's easy, inexpensive and fun.

What is container gardening, anyway? Simple - indoor gardening in small containers. These may be window boxes, planters or just simple flowerpots that you place on windowsills, terraces and even kitchen counters. Container gardens fit into the busiest lifestyle because they reduce the hassles of gardening onto a micro scale - all while bringing the great outdoors inside.

The conditions and light in your apartment should dictate what plants you try to grow. If you have an out-of-control radiator, skip annuals in favor of succulents such as small cacti or aloe plants. If you have at least five hours of direct sunlight a day and a cool, dry place to store your container garden, try annuals such as periwinkle or marigolds. An especially effective container garden can consist of herbs such as chamomile, chives and dill, which you can dry or use directly in the kitchen while cooking.

Starting a container garden is easy. Pick a suitable container - the choice is limited only by the size of your plant (make sure it has room to take root) and your imagination. Make sure your container allows for drainage - if necessary, hide inexpensive plastic drainage pots within larger containers to keep a decorative touch. Buy a bag of prepackaged soil at your local hardware or garden store - it should contain more than enough to start a container garden. Be modest with fertilizers as containers may be much smaller than traditional plant holders. Make sure you plant seeds in moist, loose soil.

Pitfalls include overwatering - remember, your container is a microgarden and doesn't need the water you'd feed an entire lawn or outdoor garden - and overcommitment. Start small - you'll save money and your plants will have an unexpected impact. With a bit of patience and a splash of creativity, your apartment will soon be a true urban oasis.