A Beginner's Guide to Container Gardening
Get ready to get the best from your miniature gardens this spring and summer, by learning how to start a container garden the right way
Planting up a few containers is a great way for beginners to start gardening, especially if you have limited space or are renting a property and want to take the gardens with you when you move. It’s also the perfect solution for people with little free time for gardening, who might find a standard plot with lawns and flowerbeds too much to maintain, but still want their hands in dirt. Looking after a few potted plants provides the satisfaction of greenery, without the effort of maintaining a whole garden bed.
A pot or two of flowers or vegetables on the deck is a great way to introduce children to growing things too, and containers close to the house are also a handy way for people with mobility or sight issues to indulge their gardening urges within easy reach. Here are some tips to start you off on the right track.
A pot or two of flowers or vegetables on the deck is a great way to introduce children to growing things too, and containers close to the house are also a handy way for people with mobility or sight issues to indulge their gardening urges within easy reach. Here are some tips to start you off on the right track.
Think about style
Use pots and containers to reinforce the architecture of your home and the style of your exterior living spaces. If you live in a contemporary apartment for instance, a collection of dainty little pots planted with pretty cottage flowers would look out of place on the balcony. Whereas a line of large, modern containers like these planted with plants with some architectural heft would be just right.
If that’s what you’re after, try reeds such as this oioi (Apodasmia similis), grasses such as natives from the Carex family, flaxes (all sorts from the Phormium family), succulents or cabbage trees (Cordyline australis).
Use pots and containers to reinforce the architecture of your home and the style of your exterior living spaces. If you live in a contemporary apartment for instance, a collection of dainty little pots planted with pretty cottage flowers would look out of place on the balcony. Whereas a line of large, modern containers like these planted with plants with some architectural heft would be just right.
If that’s what you’re after, try reeds such as this oioi (Apodasmia similis), grasses such as natives from the Carex family, flaxes (all sorts from the Phormium family), succulents or cabbage trees (Cordyline australis).
Match plants to the conditions
With any garden, whether it is big, small or a collection of pots on a terrace, selecting the appropriate plants makes a huge difference to its success. There is no point in planting shade-loving hostas (such as Hosta plantaginea and Hosta fortunei) in a hot, dry courtyard. Succulents and other drought-tolerant plants would, however, thrive in such conditions.
Think about the amount of sun, shade and wind your container plants will have to contend with at different times of the day or year. These potted geraniums (Pelargonium spp) for example need warm sunny conditions to look their best.
With any garden, whether it is big, small or a collection of pots on a terrace, selecting the appropriate plants makes a huge difference to its success. There is no point in planting shade-loving hostas (such as Hosta plantaginea and Hosta fortunei) in a hot, dry courtyard. Succulents and other drought-tolerant plants would, however, thrive in such conditions.
Think about the amount of sun, shade and wind your container plants will have to contend with at different times of the day or year. These potted geraniums (Pelargonium spp) for example need warm sunny conditions to look their best.
Keep numbers down
Don’t go overboard with too many pots, as this can make a small space like a balcony or terrace look cluttered. Two or three carefully selected pots will create much more impact than an unplanned jumble. These tall containers planted with clipped boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) spheres are a case in point: they make a strong architectural line on a modern pool terrace. If you crave more plant variety, try a rotating grouping of pots on the coffee table that you can change with the seasons (or party theme).
Don’t go overboard with too many pots, as this can make a small space like a balcony or terrace look cluttered. Two or three carefully selected pots will create much more impact than an unplanned jumble. These tall containers planted with clipped boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) spheres are a case in point: they make a strong architectural line on a modern pool terrace. If you crave more plant variety, try a rotating grouping of pots on the coffee table that you can change with the seasons (or party theme).
Be mindful of proportions
Size is really important with plant containers. Too big and it will dwarf the plant inside it, and look out of scale. Too small and plants can dry out between waterings through lack of potting mix to hold the moisture. Plants can also become root bound in a too-small pot (roots wind around in circles into a tight, constricted mass), which will severely impact on plant health and vitality.
Size is really important with plant containers. Too big and it will dwarf the plant inside it, and look out of scale. Too small and plants can dry out between waterings through lack of potting mix to hold the moisture. Plants can also become root bound in a too-small pot (roots wind around in circles into a tight, constricted mass), which will severely impact on plant health and vitality.
Double check placement of large pots
Shifting large pots can wreak havoc on your back, so before you fill them with soil make sure you are absolutely happy with their position. If you change your mind once they’re planted, buying a set of container castors is a good idea.
Potted gardening basics
Shifting large pots can wreak havoc on your back, so before you fill them with soil make sure you are absolutely happy with their position. If you change your mind once they’re planted, buying a set of container castors is a good idea.
Potted gardening basics
Choose materials for the conditions
Clay and concrete pots can dry out more quickly than glazed earthenware containers, as they are more porous. Painting the inside with a sealant or using a polythene liner will reduce this problem.
PRO TIP: Metal pots can heat up in very warm positions so don’t plant with cool- or moisture-loving species that could cook in the pot.
Clay and concrete pots can dry out more quickly than glazed earthenware containers, as they are more porous. Painting the inside with a sealant or using a polythene liner will reduce this problem.
PRO TIP: Metal pots can heat up in very warm positions so don’t plant with cool- or moisture-loving species that could cook in the pot.
Get the mix right
The golden rule of gardening is good soil preparation. Because there is less soil or potting mix in containers than in garden beds, this rule is even more important. Unless the mix quality is good, the plants will not thrive.
Ready-made potting mixes available in most garden centres contain materials such as pumice to aid drainage and soil that is not too heavy and easily waterlogged. They also include a good balance of nutrients, and often water-retaining crystals so the mix won’t dry out too quickly.
PRO TIP: Avoid using garden soil in pots as this is usually too heavy so it does not drain well, and can harbour pests, diseases and weed seeds.
The golden rule of gardening is good soil preparation. Because there is less soil or potting mix in containers than in garden beds, this rule is even more important. Unless the mix quality is good, the plants will not thrive.
Ready-made potting mixes available in most garden centres contain materials such as pumice to aid drainage and soil that is not too heavy and easily waterlogged. They also include a good balance of nutrients, and often water-retaining crystals so the mix won’t dry out too quickly.
PRO TIP: Avoid using garden soil in pots as this is usually too heavy so it does not drain well, and can harbour pests, diseases and weed seeds.
Try making your own potting mix
It’s much cheaper to make your own potting mix than buying sacks of ready-made at the garden centre. Experiment with a homemade mix by combining two parts peat, one part vermiculite (a magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate) and one part coarse sand. You could also add sphagnum moss, perlite (a lightweight siliceous rock) and compost. If your plants are hungry feeders (e.g. vegetables and flowers) then add more compost.
PRO TIP: For succulents, increase the amount of sand or add crushed pumice to improve drainage.
It’s much cheaper to make your own potting mix than buying sacks of ready-made at the garden centre. Experiment with a homemade mix by combining two parts peat, one part vermiculite (a magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate) and one part coarse sand. You could also add sphagnum moss, perlite (a lightweight siliceous rock) and compost. If your plants are hungry feeders (e.g. vegetables and flowers) then add more compost.
PRO TIP: For succulents, increase the amount of sand or add crushed pumice to improve drainage.
Be smart with your watering regime
One of the most common problems with containers is water – either too much or not enough. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in your containers and check them every year to make sure they have not become clogged up. If the soil is waterlogged it is instant death for most plants, as no air will get to their roots.
If your containers are in a hot, sunny spot, add water-retaining crystals to the potting mix. This is especially important for hanging baskets and plants like flowering annuals that need plenty of moisture. And remember, wind can dry potting mix out just as much as sunshine.
PRO TIP: Group containers together to make the watering routine easier, and to help plants shade each other.
See a gallery of low-maintenance xeriscape gardens
One of the most common problems with containers is water – either too much or not enough. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in your containers and check them every year to make sure they have not become clogged up. If the soil is waterlogged it is instant death for most plants, as no air will get to their roots.
If your containers are in a hot, sunny spot, add water-retaining crystals to the potting mix. This is especially important for hanging baskets and plants like flowering annuals that need plenty of moisture. And remember, wind can dry potting mix out just as much as sunshine.
PRO TIP: Group containers together to make the watering routine easier, and to help plants shade each other.
See a gallery of low-maintenance xeriscape gardens
Check dryness of container mix regularly
With their smaller volume of soil mix, containers dry out much quicker than the soil in garden beds. Don’t rely on rain to keep your pots watered. The best gauge is to stick your finger a couple of centimetres into the mix to see if there is enough moisture below the surface. In hot summer weather you will need to water pots and hanging baskets every day, although succulents require less frequent watering. Fruit, flowers, herbs and vegetables need a lot of moisture. Make sure pots are not too small or your mix will dry out very quickly.
PRO TIP: Mulch the top of the potting mix with pebbles, bark or compost to stop the potting mix drying out.
With their smaller volume of soil mix, containers dry out much quicker than the soil in garden beds. Don’t rely on rain to keep your pots watered. The best gauge is to stick your finger a couple of centimetres into the mix to see if there is enough moisture below the surface. In hot summer weather you will need to water pots and hanging baskets every day, although succulents require less frequent watering. Fruit, flowers, herbs and vegetables need a lot of moisture. Make sure pots are not too small or your mix will dry out very quickly.
PRO TIP: Mulch the top of the potting mix with pebbles, bark or compost to stop the potting mix drying out.
Feed regularly
Even if the potting mix had a good balance of nutrients when you planted your containers, chances are this will be depleted after a growing season. Not only have your plants used up the nutrients, but regular watering has also washed them out, particularly from the lighter potting mixes.
Use liquid fertilisers as these are faster acting than those in pellet or stick form, or an even quicker method to boost nutrients is to spray liquid feed onto the plants’ leaves.
PRO TIP: Be sure to use the correct strengths and frequencies as recommended on the packaging. Don’t be tempted to over-feed as too much can weaken plants.
Even if the potting mix had a good balance of nutrients when you planted your containers, chances are this will be depleted after a growing season. Not only have your plants used up the nutrients, but regular watering has also washed them out, particularly from the lighter potting mixes.
Use liquid fertilisers as these are faster acting than those in pellet or stick form, or an even quicker method to boost nutrients is to spray liquid feed onto the plants’ leaves.
PRO TIP: Be sure to use the correct strengths and frequencies as recommended on the packaging. Don’t be tempted to over-feed as too much can weaken plants.
Don’t forget to re-pot
Larger plants such as shrubs and perennials will need regular re-potting as their roots will quickly take up all the available space in the container, allowing no room for air, water or nutrients. To check if this is the case, scrape away the top layer of potting compost and if the roots have formed a tight mass, it’s time to re-pot.
Always use fresh potting mix that contains a slow-release fertiliser. If plants don’t need re-potting, it’s still a good idea to take off the top five centimetres of potting compost every spring and replace with a layer of fresh mix.
TELL US
What are you planning to grow in containers this year? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more container gardens for inspiration
Larger plants such as shrubs and perennials will need regular re-potting as their roots will quickly take up all the available space in the container, allowing no room for air, water or nutrients. To check if this is the case, scrape away the top layer of potting compost and if the roots have formed a tight mass, it’s time to re-pot.
Always use fresh potting mix that contains a slow-release fertiliser. If plants don’t need re-potting, it’s still a good idea to take off the top five centimetres of potting compost every spring and replace with a layer of fresh mix.
TELL US
What are you planning to grow in containers this year? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more container gardens for inspiration
Container gardening – what’s not to like? From a tiny succulent in a teacup on your apartment windowsill, to a row of barrels along a sweeping country drive, you can have plenty of fun with the many different styles, shapes, colours and materials available in containers today. These can be anything from everyday plant pots to custom-sculpted pieces, or recycled novelties such as wheel barrows, old gumboots, bathtubs or even boats.
Containers can also help to keep your garden looking fresh, as you move pots around to catch the sun as the seasons change, bring delicate plants inside in the harsh of winter, and showcase treasures that need special conditions the rest of your garden can’t provide. Containers gardens are also incredibly versatile. You can grow almost anything in them from veggies to violas, small trees to snapdragons. Spring is a great time to re-think making container gardening work for you.
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