Container gardening has to be the simplest form of landscaping. It takes very little effort, you don't have to be an expert gardener, the attractive planters can fit in with virtually any decorating scheme, you can move em around, and the best part, weeding is virtually non-existent. If you hook up a drip watering system, you don't even have to water them!
Some basic rules to remember are:
- allow for adequate drainage by putting gravel in the bottom of the pot
- use containers that are large enough to accommodate a mature plant (to save you transplanting)
- know your plants - if they like sun – don't give them shade
Try to be creative by combining a variety of plants in various complimentary color combinations or better yet, combine them to reflect different themes. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Salsa Garden
Get bright yellow or orange planters, or create your own by decorating with a cactus or lizard pattern. Include the following plants: two chile pepper plants, one golden tomato plant, a tomatillo or husked green tomato plant, and cilantro.
Pizza Garden
Include these homegrown treats on your next pizza: oregano, basil, fennel, onions, bell peppers, roma tomatoes, and eggplant.
Stir Fry Garden
The next time you make stir fry, here are your veggies, just add shrimp or chicken: Onions, zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, green beans. Add stakes for the climbing beans and let the zucchini trail over the sides of the container.
Pesto Garden
You'll love this pesto garden containing just basil and garlic.
Pasta Sauce Garden
You'll have the freshest sauce in town with this garden that contains: roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, onions, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic.
Herbal Tea Garden
Make a fresh cup of herbal tea by picking a few leaves and allowing them to steep in a tea ball. At the end of the season, you can bring your planter indoors or trim your herbs and dry them. Here is a good selection to begin with, and don't be scared to mix and match: bee balm or bergamot (also used in Earl Grey), lemon balm, mint (choose different types), and relaxing chamomile.
If you're working out in the garden on a hot day, fill a tea pot with water, throw in a few leaves and let it steep to make Sun Tea.
Culinary Herb Garden
There is nothing like using fresh seasonings for your cooking and this selection can be used in hundreds of different dishes: Thyme, lemon thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, marjoram, chives, dill, parsley, sage, and tarragon. You may need two large containers for this one!
Tomato Salad Garden
In your container plant beefsteak tomatoes, green onions, and basil. Just add lots of extra virgin olive oil and some Italian bread and you'll have a salad you'll want over and over again. It's even more decadent if you add mozzarella cheese.
Scented Garden
Nothing is nicer than sitting outside and catching a scent of a fragrant bloom. Just run your hand through these plants to get an extra whiff: lavender, scented geranium, rosemary, and lemon balm.