is container gardening worth it

INTRODUCTION TO CONTAINER GARDENING: TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Hello. If you feel alienated by reading the term Container Gardening, you’re not alone. I’m also frightened by the term. But it’s just a technical name for growing plants in pots.

Yes, your visualisation is right the plants (mostly it’s Pothos) you see in your house or your neighbourhood houses that grow in terracotta coloured pots. If you’ve some creative minds around you can see different coloured or shaped pots. 

But giving a technical name is more helpful if you wanna start to grow some plants in your house. These technical terms are helpful to find hacks that help you to keep your plants surviving. Because without proper knowledge about growing plants in pots, some people’s plants won’t survive long. (that some people included me – in my initial stages)

Some hardy-hardy plants are out of the syllabus, they consistently fall for bugs, and diseases showing dramatic falls (like Indian serials). But here we’re not talking about those plants.

Here we’re to save plants (not like the Avengers saved the world after destroying cities).  We can do it simply.

WHAT IS CONTAINER GARDENING?

What is container Gardening?

To put it simply is a Gardening method in which you can grow edible plants, Flowers, Herbs, and low-maintenance plants in Pots aka CONTAINERS. 

Container Gardening aka growing plants in pots is extremely portable so you can pack your favourite plant from your house to your college hostel or flat you moved in. (but be careful) 

You don’t need any land to grow your veggies you can grow them on your small balcony or terrace in any available space with sunlight. What if I don’t have sunlight ( I heard you) You can grow shade-loving plants in Indoors. 

Container Gardening has 1000 years back history from the Greeks and Egyptians. But the container gardening we have is not older than 30 years.

Back then people used clay pots and ceramic vessels to grow plants for good appearance. But in the late 80s and early 90s when people moved to cities they’re lack of space to have gardens. Like apartment dwellers or people living in small houses without space for front yard or backyard.

It’s quite easy to grow plants in pots for those people because not only potted plants require minimum space it’s also cost efficient. The amount of potting mix needed for pots is way smaller than in traditional gardening and the problem of weeding is reduced by almost 0%.

The convenience level is higher so people adopt Container Gardening for various reasons even people with space for gardens also find Potted plants to reduce the Gardening chores. 

We’re all way here now in 2024, gardening methods have become more advanced you can buy an endless list of plants, and gardening supplies that are available online are affordable. These perks help people to experiment with various gardening methods like hydroponics, vertical gardening and a lot more. 

So you can grow any kind of plant in your home, all you need is a little gardening knowledge( here is why I’m here). The thing is you can find dozens of knowledge on the internet from various sources  (kind of over-consuming) might confuse you what to do?

So here I’m Structured my entire website based on Container Gardening from how to choose plants that can grow well in your climate conditions, how to choose pots/containers, How to make the perfect soil mix that works for potted plants, which tools are efficient (My current articles) 

How to use fertilize the potted plants, trimming and pruning, watering techniques, seasonal care and Plant diaries for 100s of plant variety. (upcoming articles)

WHY YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM THE BASICS

How to start container gardening for beginners

I’ve been a gardener for over a decade. Initially, I started with ground gardening in my front yard. After 3-4 years because of space constraints, I adopted Container Gardening with very few plants on my terrace. 

Some of them thrive, and some of them do well. but the tragic part half of the plants do not survive. Firstly I was clueless about what I did wrong then I started to know about Container Gardening from various sources across the internet.

Some of them are helpful I applied those hacks to save my plants. But most of them lead me to buy unnecessary stuff and I blindly follow those methods and do different different gardening methods that end up tragic.

After that,  I did my research and experimented on my gardens and found which ones gonna work and which did not. Now I’ve nearly a hundred potted plants in my terrace a combined variety of foliage, herbs, house plants, succulents, and edible. Most of them thrive well and I grow seasonal plants, and annuals and try different plants from seeds and small saplings. 

What helps me out is some basics like what kind of potting medium helps root growth, the ratio of potting mix, Watering techniques, sunlight spots, knowledge about pests and disease, pruning hacks, and seasonal care. 

These are some core knowledge of Gardening like binary codes 0 and 1 you can apply these with modifications to any plant hack you read like the needed amount of soil (recipe book vibe check). 

These basics got your back you can apply these basics with any advanced-level gardening hacks, and tips you gonna read in future.

WHO NEEDS CONTAINER GARDEN?

who needs container garden

People start gardening for various reasons, some people take gardening as a hobby, some people need some fresh kitchen supplies so they set up a kitchen garden, some people garden for stress relief (it’s great for stressbuster), and some people grow plants for aesthetic appeal the reasons are endless but container gardening helps to overcome the obstacles of lack of space.

Whatever the reason container gardening gives the luxury to do gardening even in small spaces, in vertical gardening you can utilize vertical spaces to grow plants, with proper planning and guidance you can grow a lot more species of plants in container gardening.

Container gardening can be beneficial for individuals who have limited outdoor space, such as apartment dwellers or those living in urban areas. It can also be a great option for people who have poor soil quality or drainage in their yard, as containers can be filled with high-quality soil and easily moved to optimize sunlight and water exposure.

Additionally, container gardening can be a good option for those who have physical limitations that make traditional gardening difficult, as containers can be placed at a height that is comfortable for the gardener.

WHAT TYPES OF PLANTS YOU CAN GROW IN CONTAINER GARDENING

types of plants you can grow in pots

When it comes to container gardening, most plants can be grown successfully in pots, provided you have enough space for them. However, it’s not recommended to plant large trees such as neem or banyan in containers, as they require a lot of room to grow (a no for small-space gardeners).

Even though some people have grown huge monstera plants in pots, it’s important to note that foliage, vegetable, and fruit plants are better adapted to container gardening but they won’t grow as big as they would in the ground and most of them are shallow rooted. 

If you try to grow a large tree species in a limited space, it will struggle to grow and eventually die due to lack of space. Therefore, it’s important to choose plants that thrive in container gardens, as they require less care and are less stressful to maintain. You can create a edible garden, an herb garden, a flower garden, or a foliage garden, as there’s a wide variety of plants that can grow well in containers.

HOW MUCH MONEY AND CARE CONTAINER GARDEN NEED?

how much money and care container garden need

When compared to traditional farming, container gardening stands out as a simpler and more cost-effective method to grow plants. This approach doesn’t require vast amounts of space or extensive gardening equipment, making it an ideal option for those who live in apartments or have limited outdoor areas. You can transform even the smallest balcony or patio into a thriving green space with a few well-chosen containers.

Starting a container garden does require an initial investment of time and money. You’ll need to select the right type of soil, appropriate containers, and suitable plants for your specific conditions. The concept is creating a mini eco system in Pots like Earth. However, once your garden is up and running, it demands significantly less maintenance compared to traditional farming. The controlled environment of containers allows for more efficient watering and fertilizing, reducing the overall time and money spent on these tasks. Additionally, container gardening minimizes the need for pest control, as you can more easily manage and monitor each plant’s health.

One of the standout advantages of container gardening is the opportunity to express your creativity. You can choose from a wide array of containers, including pots, planters, and hanging baskets, to match your personal style and the space available. This flexibility allows you to create visually appealing and diverse garden setups. Mixing and matching different plants not only adds aesthetic value but can also enhance the health and productivity of your garden by pairing plants with complementary growth habits and requirements.

Many perennial plants thrive in container gardens, offering beauty and utility for several years. Herbs like rosemary and thyme are excellent choices, providing fresh flavors for your kitchen and a lovely scent for your garden. Flowers such as daisies and marigolds add vibrant color and can attract beneficial pollinators. For those seeking low-maintenance options, succulents and cacti are perfect, requiring minimal care and water.

Ultimately, the plants you choose for your container garden will depend on your budget and the time you have available for gardening. With thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, container gardening can become a rewarding and cost-effective way to enjoy fresh produce and beautiful plants. Whether you’re aiming for a functional herb garden or a decorative floral display, container gardening offers a versatile and accessible gardening solution for everyone.

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