Why wait to receive flowers when you can have your own supply yourself? Not enough space? No problem. Grow your own flowers in containers at home! This article is specifically made with the hopes to help you in your container flower gardening journey—from choosing the right flowers to identifying the different flower containers you can tap on.

Table of Contents

• Flowers for container gardens
• Tips on how to make the most out of your container flowers
• Ideas for flower containers

Flowers for container gardens

Container-grown flowers come in different colors, sizes, and varieties. Many flowers thrive well in containers, helpful in terms of adding instant aesthetic to your dull patios, balconies, or even tables. Few examples for this include:

• Calla Lilly. This variety comes in different colors and is often used in bouquets or wedding floral arrangements. They are best grown an inch deep and an inch apart. When it comes to choosing the right containers for this, be sure to use those at least 10 inches wide in diameter to give their roots enough space to breathe and grow.
• Chrysanthemum. Growing chrysanthemums in pots is quite popular for most houses. When growing them, be sure to put them in a spot that gets enough sunlight, but not too much to avoid drying them out. Moreover, Chrysanthemums have a shallow root system, thus, regular watering is a must. Also, remember to prune and clean from time to time to encourage more blooms!
• Geranium. Geraniums are a common choice for most balcony gardens and grow perfectly in containers. When planting one, be sure to observe proper drainage as Geraniums do not like too much moisture. During their blooming phase, be sure to fertilize every 2 weeks to experience maximum results. Repot when necessary to keep them fresh.

Read:
25 Flowers for Container Gardens
The Best Flowers for Container Gardens

Tips on how to make the most out of your container flowers

One key component of any successful container garden is good drainage. Make sure that in whatever container you choose, it has sufficient holes to support their growth. This is to ensure that excess water has a place to drain through. If you’re up-cycling old scraps, be sure to drill enough holes on their bottoms. Failing to provide drainage will drown your plant and rot its roots.

Another factor to consider would have to be proper maintenance. First, be sure to water your plants regularly to avoid drying them out. However, be sure not to overdo it. To check your soil’s moisture, you can stick your fingers in for about an inch and then from there, determine whether it is dry or not. Second, give your flowers the right nutrition. Regularly re-pot your flowers to freshen them up and encourage bloom after bloom. Fertilize whenever necessary. Third and finally, regularly pinch, prune, and remove dead or dying flowers.

Are you interested to learn about how to properly design your containers and improve your garden’s aesthetic? Learn more about the Thrillers, Fillers, Spillers concept.

Ideas for flower containers

Choosing flower containers or containers in general for your garden is a crucial step to achieve success. Since it basically has no restrictions, provided the containers have enough drainage holes, this phase may come out as too overwhelming. But do not allow it to be. Use this freedom to your advantage.

Try up-cycling these as your flower containers:

• Birdcages
• Plastic bottles
• Basins
• Buckets
• Trash cans
• Kettles
• Cabinets
• Baskets

Remember that choosing flower containers may be crucial but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Widen your reach and do not be afraid to explore!

Sources

• https://www.gardeningchannel.com/top-container-flowers/
• https://www.pinterest.ph/rociogparra/amazing-flower-containers/
• https://www.almanac.com/plant/geraniums#:~:text=Place%20plants%20in%20pots%20with,4%2D6%20hours%20of%20sunlight.

Container gardening ideas is a hot topic searched by many online. Although there are about thousands of solutions for it, still, no one can provide one definite answer.

Why?

Simple. Because gardening is a free space. In this, you can do just about anything you want, depending of course on the resources you have available. Needless to say, every container garden tells a different story.

That said, how can you make your container garden beautifully and uniquely yours?

Table of Contents

• Container gardening ideas
• How do you arrange a container garden?
  • The basics:
    • Selecting the right containers,
    • What does the rule of odds mean?
    • What plants go together in containers: thriller, filler, spillers
• Container gardening tips and tricks
• DIY Container gardening ideas

Container gardening ideas

When starting your container garden, it would be nice to research first into the various container gardening projects available online. Take inspiration from them and then twist and tweak their ideas according to your own style. The possibilities are endless. You can let them sleep on steps, breathe through windowsills, scatter around the corners and even let them hang on your walls—as long as you incorporate the right plants with the right containers and give them the right nutrition, your container garden is all set for success.

How do you arrange a container garden?

In just about any course, you can never go wrong by beginning with the basics. Of all the components there are to think about when it comes to arranging potted plants, I’ve narrowed them down to three: selecting the right containers, clustering containers: the rule of odds, and combining the right plants: thrillers, fillers, spoilers.

Selecting the right containers

Containers come in different sizes, colors, and even material. Know that choosing where to plant your plants make a big difference to your plants’ growth. A general rule you must keep in mind is to always give your plants adequate space to grow. The larger the container, the bigger the root space available, the better for mix-planting. Don’t forget your aesthetics too. Using the same colored pots can make your garden more unified. You can, however, always add a quick pop of color!

TIP: Don’t forget to add drainage holes to your containers!

Learn more about choosing the perfect containers.

What does the rule of odds mean?

One famous rule in design is the rule of odds. This states that images are more visually appealing when you add an odd number of elements to a composition. This is a perfect rule that you can add to your long list of container gardening ideas. You don’t have to fill your entire space with plants. Instead, try clustering containers in odd numbers such as 3, 5, or 7. Incorporate this and instantly, spice up your container gardening arrangements.

What plants go together in containers?

When mixing plants in containers, a common way to begin designing is to use the “Thriller, Filler Spiller” concept. This gardening design strategy utilizes three different plant types—perfect to create well-rounded and pleasing container gardens.

Thrillers

Thrillers are big and tall plants, used as the focal point of your container plant designs. Their height provides drama and vertical elements to your design, making them more eye-catching. They’re either placed at the center or sometimes at the back part of the containers. They can be flowers or ornamental grasses. Examples for this include:

• Canna Lily. Canna lily is one of the best options that you can have as a thriller plant. Not only does it grow tall and bright, but it also thrives well even under the strong summer heat. Furthermore, its rich color is also a perfect addition if you wish to instantly warm your balcony up, along with other plants.
• Asters. Asters can grow for up to 3-4 feet, perfect as centerpieces. Like Daisies, Asters have their starry-shaped flowerheads to thank.
• Purple Fountain Grass.
• Cosmos.
• Salvia.
• Dahlia.

Fillers

Fillers are more rounded plants used to enhance the thriller and fill the empty spaces. You can have one or two plant varieties as fillers, provided they aren’t too big or too tall to cover the thriller. Of the many plants that can fall under this category, try:

• Angelonia.
• Begonias.
• Caladium.
• Coleus.
• Geraniums.

Spillers

Spillers are the plants that literally spill from the corners or sides of your containers. When viewed from all sides, place your spillers around your container as well. Moreover, when viewed only on one side, place your spillers in front of your container. Remember that they are what softens your design as they cascade beautifully over the containers. Well-chosen spoilers are what completes the whole design. Examples for this include:

• Alyssum.
• Bacopa.
• Sweet Potato Vines.
• Trailing Begonia.

Container gardening tips and tricks

• When planting different plants in one container, make sure that they have the same water and light requirements.
• Remember to provide drainage holes to every container you’ll be using. Good drainage is a MUST.
• Ceramic containers or terra cotta pots sips the moisture from the soil. With this, you would have to water your plants as much as you can. Do not overwater.
• If you have a big planter to fill, make use of old cans, bottles, and milk jugs at the bottom of your container.

DIY Container garden ideas

• DIY Upcycled Toy Planter
• 5 Brilliant DIY Garden Ideas to Try
• How to Make DIY Gardening Containers

Sources:

• https://pallensmith.com/2014/01/02/daffodil-garden/
• https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/thriller-filler-spiller.htm

Can you grow veggies in pots?

This is a popular question that most people ask online. The answer? Absolutely. Container vegetable gardening doesn’t really differ from gardening on the ground. In fact, it can even be considered as a more accessible and convenient planting technique compared to the latter. Interested to find out why? Keep reading!

Table of Contents

• What vegetables are good for container gardening?
• What are the easiest vegetables to grow in pots?
• What vegetables grow well together in containers?
• Seedlings vs transplants
• How do you make a vegetable garden container?
• What kind of soil should I use for container vegetable gardens?
• Fertilizer
• Watering
• Light and temperature
• Pest control

What vegetables are good for container gardening?

Surprisingly, you can grow just about any vegetable in containers, provided you use the appropriate container size. Generally, although it isn’t necessary, you can also choose to plant smaller varieties just to save even more space. Moreover, keep in mind that different vegetables also have different requirements, so make sure to plant those that are appropriate for your space, climate, and available resources.

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What are the easiest vegetables to grow in pots?

Below are a few of the most common and easy-to-plant vegetables that thrive really well in containers, perfect for container vegetable gardening newbies!

1. Tomatoes. Most tomatoes are at their merriest when grown in bigger pots. Just make sure to stake them appropriately—this is so they have enough support and refrain from bending. Moreover, take note that even a single tomato plant can already produce hundreds of fruits⁠—appropriate nutrition, therefore, must be given. Among the different tomato plant varieties available, you can consider planting cherry tomatoes for a start—they can be grown in small to medium pots, their yield is high, and they’re small so they don’t take so much space.
2. Lettuce. Salad crops are very ideal for beginner gardeners. Because of their shallow roots, they can be planted in any container. Moreover, they’re quick to grow too. Lettuce seeds are best sown on the surface of your compost and sealed over just a thin layer of more compost. In this way, they get enough light that they need in order to germinate. Additionally, they don’t require much sun and are best grown in cooler weather. In summer, however, you can still keep them growing but under a good shade.
3. Peppers. Both hot and sweet peppers grow easily in containers, not to mention how pretty they look with their bright hues. They thrive better in larger containers exposed to a good amount of sun, provided with good drainage, and showered with regular watering. One of the best benefits of planting peppers in containers is that you can easily transfer them anywhere you please. They’re also a good ingredient for most of your food recipes!
4. Radishes. In just a month, you can already harvest your very own radish. They grow really fast yet they don’t need much space too⁠—perfect for your cramped up windowsills. Just make sure to not expose them to too much heat, if not, you can easily control this by moving them to shade and providing them with enough water to cool down.
5. Potatoes. Homegrown potatoes taste different compared to those sold in the market. Growing potatoes in containers add extra protection against the fungus that spreads easier among plants grown under the ground. Although container-grown potatoes require a larger space, a lot of soil, and more water, they’re definitely worth every effort and resource. For better yields, make sure to expose them to full sun and provide them with good drainage and loamy soil.

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What vegetables grow well together in containers?

When choosing what vegetables to grow together in a pot, it is best to match those with the same needs and requirements.

However, take note that such a method is not totally fool-proof. Other plants, despite being in the same family, are not good to plant together since they may have the tendency to compete for the same nutrients.

Gardeners.com presents a short guide for this concern:

Good plant combinations:

• Beans, Carrots, Squash
• Eggplant, Beans
• Tomatoes, Basil, Onions
• Lettuce, Herbs
• Spinach, Chard, Onions

Plant combinations to avoid:

• Beans with Onions and Garlic
• Carrots with Dill or Fennel
• Tomatoes or Squash with Potatoes
• Onions with Beans and Peas

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Seedlings vs transplants

There are 2 planting options that you can choose from for your garden, these are: seedlings and transplants. Both have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses. Either way, with the right planting care, you would definitely experience success.

Seedlings

Planting from seeds can be crucial and may even take longer before you can see visible progress as it basically calls you to start from scratch, but trust me when I say that it can also be very rewarding—not to mention all the benefits it comes with. First, buying seeds online gives you more access to wider varieties in contrast to choosing transplants from your local nurseries. Second, buying seeds costs so much less than buying already grown plants. Furthermore, it can even cost you not a single penny if you opt to prepare them your own. Your options for this, however, can be limited, as it would depend on what vegetable you have available. Anyway, make sure not to overdry your seeds for optimal results. Finally, growing your own seed starters can be a fun activity to share with your kids.

Transplants

The most obvious benefit that you can get from transplanting or replanting is that they’re easier to manage and take less time to thrive. Your options, however, depend on what your local nurseries have available. Also, this technique can be quite pricey since you’re basically paying for the long wait that it would usually take to grow seedlings.

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How do you make a vegetable garden container?

Selecting the perfect containers

This step can greatly impact your plant’s growth and success. But, don’t be too overwhelmed just yet. You just have to remember 3 things: that it’s big enough, it has good drainage, and it’s made of nontoxic material.

Plastic

Many people can be quite skeptical when it comes to planting in plastic containers—which is understandable because of their chemical properties that might pose harm to your plants. However, most of these chemicals that they release are at very low levels and considered perfectly safe. Plastic containers are durable, light-weight, and flexible.

Get additional information here: Growing Plants in Plastic Containers: Can You Grow Plants in Plastic Pots Safely?

Ceramics

Since ceramics are porous, they allow better air and water movement for your plants. Air movement stimulates root growth, which then enriches your plants’ health. The clay, however, takes moisture from the soil. Thus, it requires more water. It’s perfect if you have the tendency to overwater your plants or if your plants don’t really need water in the first place.

Wood

Wood containers look very sophisticated. In fact, they look even better when used as containers for your vegetables. To keep them from rotting, make sure to line them with plastic, or elevate them from the ground and not allow the soil to get too mushy.

Read: What to Know About Using a Wooden Crate as a Planter Box

Self-watering containers

Resulting in self-watering containers can be another option for you too. There are different self-watering pots available but they all work the same; all you have to do is to keep the water reservoir full.

Below is a simple illustration of just about any self-watering container:

DIY containers

In this case, you can up-cycle just about any container you have at home. All you have to remember is to make sure that they’re large enough to house your vegetable plants. Using DIY containers is perfect as interesting conversation-starters and unique pieces scattered all over your home.

Importance of good drainage

In any container, you have to make sure to provide them with good drainage. A hole in any container—small or big—is critical. Drainage holes help remove excess water and prevent your plants from drowning. They’re also crucial to protect your plants’ roots from fungus and rot.

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What kind of soil should I use for container vegetable gardens?

In container vegetable gardening or container gardening in general, remember: do not use garden soil. Garden soil does not offer enough air, moisture, or nutrients to container plants.

Is potting soil good for vegetables?

Potting soils are specifically formulated to answer to the limitations that garden soils can’t cover. They’re a soil-less blend used not just in container vegetable gardening and but in any container plants generally.

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Fertilizer

Fertilizers are your plants’ vitamins to help them thrive. Since your container vegetable plants can’t seek help from neighboring plants unlike how they usually would when planted on the ground, they would need a lot of help from you. The easiest way to go about this is to prepare a nutrient solution that you can easily pour over whenever necessary. The faster your plant grows, the more fertilizer they’ll be needing. Remember not to overfertilize!

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Watering

When watering your container vegetables, all you have to remember is to keep your soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. To check, stick your finger down into the soil for about an inch. If you feel that it needs moisture, then you can add water accordingly. Remember that watering can be pivotal for your container vegetable gardening’s success.

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Light and temperature

Most vegetables like just enough warmth, not scorching hot but not too cold either. During summer, you might want to avoid getting them directly exposed to the hot sun. Be sure to shade them especially during noon, when the sun is usually at its peak. Moreover, for cooler seasons, be sure not to leave them freezing. In most cases, their soil’s temperature needs to be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Pest control

Although container vegetable gardening gives you a better experience when it comes to dealing with the presence of pests, know that it still isn’t foolproof.

• Distinguish the good garden pests from the bad ones
• Keep your container vegetable gardening clean
• Constantly inspect your garden from time to time

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Sources:

1. https://www.quickcrop.ie/blog/2016/09/vegetables-you-can-grow-in-pots-top-10/
2. https://www.thespruce.com/great-vegetables-to-grow-in-containers-848214
3. https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/urban-gardening-with-vegetables/5491.html
4. https://savvygardening.com/start-from-seed-or-buy/#:~:text=Time%20%E2%80%93%20Growing%20your%20own%20seedlings,re%20better%20off%20buying%20transplants.
5. https://www.thespruce.com/vegetable-container-gardening-for-beginners-848161
6. https://www.gardenmyths.com/growing-food-plastic-containers-safe/