Considerations for Container Gardening

Planting in a container is the easiest way to get your I-need-something-green-in-my-life, fix.

You don't have to worry about sun exposure because your garden is mobile.

You don't have to worry about breaking your back while digging in the native soil because your garden is above ground.
And the creative opportunities for turning that old piece of junk into a beautiful planter are endless!

Once you add drip emitters to your pretty pots you've really mastered the lazy man's way of gardening, and that's a wonderful feeling.

Warning; Container gardening is addictive!

One of the most important things to look for when choosing a container to plant in is a hole for water to drain from. It's crucial that your plant's roots have air as well as water.

Roots cannot live in standing water without air. Even water plants require aeration to survive.

If there's no hole in your container then you can mimic an air space by adding a few inches of gravel to the bottom of your pot before adding soil. This will create a separation between the bottom of the pot and the bottom layer of soil and allow for air to flow to the roots.

Next, you'll want to make sure that you have the appropriate soil for what you're planting.

Not all soils and planting mixes are created equal.

Garden soil, planting mixes, and mulch are created for planing in the ground and shouldn't be used in containers.

Always use a potting mix when planting in pots!

Some potting mixes come with fertilizer mixed in already so bear that in mind when you do to fertilize your plants again after planting.

If you're potting up succulents or cactus, make sure to use a soil specific to those plants. Succulents and cactus require a sandy, well-draining soil for survival. Placing them in a regular potting mix can equal accidental over watering and root rot.

Adding the plants is the fun part.

Pick things that you like and that will work well for where you plan on your pot being most of the time.

You'll want to take a trip to your local Star Nursery and ask a sales associate for help with picking out the right plants.

Don't forget to research how big your plants will grow to maturity. You want to make sure that you give each one a chance to shine.

Go ahead and give it a try!