March 9, 2006 Issue                                               

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Container Gardening Offers Something for Everyone
By Emily Lambert

Container gardening has taken root in households all across the country — over 26 million in fact, according to the National Gardening Association in Burlington, Vt. — from homeowners with acres of land adding “spots of pots” in flowerbeds and garden borders, to those in retirement communities and townhomes getting the most from their windowsills, decks, patios, and even, front steps. “Container gardening is the ideal solution for people who may not have any land of their own or who don’t have time to maintain a traditional garden,” says E.G. Rall Jr. owner of E.G. Rall Jr. Landscape Design in Norristown. “It’s also a perfect way to add interest and color to an already established landscape,” he adds.

But perhaps the best part of container gardening is the simplicity it offers. Plants, pots and soil are all the ingredients you need to establish a garden that looks like it’s been thriving for weeks. With virtually no weeding, just a daily watering or two, and an occasional fertilizer, garden maintenance is equally easy.

For those who think containers are limiting, as far as what varieties can be grown, they are in for a surprise. You can grow almost anything you can grow in a traditional garden, including tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, the list goes on. Fresh vegetables are particularly popular, as they offer more nutrients and superior taste compared to store-bought. When choosing to grow vegetables of any kind, make sure to use a large pot; most vegetable crops require 5-gallon containers to accommodate root growth. Transplants can be bought at local nurseries or started at home from seeds.

Herbs are another popular choice for a container garden. Basil, rosemary and mint, to name a few, are all easy to grow and compliment many dishes. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s article on food trends, “20 Picks for 2006,” (Marilynn Marter, 1/5/06) says “homegrown is chic,” and notes garden-owners will be sprouting herbs on windowsills and stocking gardens with baby veggies and edible flowers this year.

If it’s beauty alone you desire — pots filled with blooming flowers and tropical plants — it’s important to have an overall design. Rall suggests choosing plants that compliment their surroundings and sticking with a theme, such as a variety of flowers, a particular color, or even the pots themselves. You want your “pot-scaping” to tell a story, to flow from one bud into the next. Color and height are equally important. Choose plants with height first and then select different varieties in contrasting colors that are shorter. “Plants in contrasting colors really stand out and get noticed,” says Rall. “This is only one suggestion, though. The possibilities are endless. The great part about containers is the ability to constantly rearrange them for different looks, or to help them thrive,” he says.

The Perfect Pot

According to Rall, whether you choose to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers, container gardens need three things to be productive: the perfect pot, the right soil and essential daily nutrients. When choosing the perfect pot, keep in mind the word drainage. Look at the bottom of each container and make sure enough water can escape. In some cases, you want to make sure of the opposite, that enough water stays in. There are glazed ceramic pots, wooden containers (look for redwood or cedar to be rot resistant), clay pots (these may require extra watering as they are porous) and baskets (which dry out quickly and may need a moss cover for protection) and a plethora of choices for creative types such as old boots or an old leather suitcase.

Size is also important in choosing the right pot. How many plants will you be growing in one container? How big will they get? Each plant has different needs, some roots require plenty of room to breathe, others prefer to be “pot bound.”

Remember, too, while there may be ample drainage from the pot you choose, it’s important to set your container on something to allow the water to escape, such as bricks, blocks or pieces of wood.

The Right Soil

If you happen to have some soil in your own backyard, why not just dig it up and put it in a pot? Soil straight from the garden is not good for a container plant. The properties of clay are heavy and don’t allow enough air for the roots. What is good for a potted plant is compost or a good quality potting mix. Drainage is, again, very important. Perlite, pumice or vermiculite are some of the ingredients you’ll want to look for in a good quality potting mix because they provide air space between soil particles to promote good drainage. Also, make sure to fertilize your mix every two to three weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.

Sunlight & Water: Daily Nutrients

On average your garden needs at least five hours of direct sunlight a day. Ideally, you can provide that. If you can’t, and you only have a few containers, you may consider moving them to areas with sun during the times they are without. In this case, you may want to purchase a small cart with wheels for ease of movement. “Most importantly, make sure you water at least once a day, ideally in the morning or evening,” says Rall. “Containers can dry out very quickly.” Check the soil twice daily as you get to know what your plant needs. Clay pots and other porous containers will need frequent watering. Consider adding mulch to the top layer of soil to help retain moisture. For those of you who travel a bit during the summer, a self-watering container would be best so your plants will survive without you.