Growing plants in containers

Growing in containers provides a great deal of flexibility and solves problems that might otherwise limit the creativity and enjoyment of organic gardening. Containers provide the essential platform in garden locations without soil such as patios, paved courtyards, and roof areas. They may offer the only means of gardening for individuals living in flats or apartments with limited space. Many urban dwellers have enriched their lives by growing collections of herbs in pots and containers on a windowsill. Most importantly, containers can sustain a range of plants that will struggle or fail in local soil and conditions. For example, in climates where the winter would normally kill a lime or tangelo, these can be grown successfully in containers, so long as they are carefully located in a sunny position and protected against extremes of cold and frost.

A collection of containers is capable of exhibiting a diverse range of plants and enables them to be creatively arranged according to mood or situation. Plants can be relocated to take advantage of contrasting colour, height, and shape. Those with the healthiest foliage or that have commenced flowering can be moved to a more prominent location. The possibilities are almost infinite.

Pots and containers

Pots and containers come in a wide range of size, style, and quality. Traditional stone and terracotta pots grow more beautiful with the patina of weathering and their earthy tones provide the perfect complement to subtle shades of flower and foliage. They are not as common or popular with gardeners today but can still be purchased from artisan manufacturers in most larger cities. One of the slight drawbacks with terracotta is its porous permeability. Plants growing in terracotta vessels will generally require more frequent watering than those in glazed ceramic, plastic or metal containers.

Good quality glazed ceramic containers tend to be heavy, expensive, and not as widely available as they were several decades ago. They can occasionally be grabbed for bargain prices at garage sales and opportunity shops. For serious gardeners, it is well worth investing the money or time to secure these. Properly cared for, they will last and with their beautiful shapes and brilliant glazes will add to the overall vitality of a container garden.

Plastic containers are cheap, light, easy to obtain and come in a spectrum of shapes, colors and styles. Despite their many advantages they lack the character and substance of ceramics. For some individuals, a garden dominated by disposable plastic containers might even conflict with the underlying philosophy of an organic approach. Metallic containers include those made from copper, brass, aluminium and stainless steel. They are often painted however the raw metal can look attractive in some settings particularly where the surfaces have been allowed to weather and mature naturally.

Recycled objects

Another option for the container gardener is to make use of recycled objects. This invites a creative approach, since a seemingly random collection will eventually suggest its own unique sense of individuality, humour or theatre. Old boots, buckets, a watering can, a hollow tree stump, toilet bowls, a spare tyre, even a bathtub are all possibilities to be entertained and there are certainly always more be discovered.

Whatever the choice of container for planting, there are several important characteristics which should be standard. The size of a container will determine the type of plants that can be grown. Shallow rooted varieties like lettuce or chives will manage adequately in smaller pots with a depth of around twenty centimetres. Most varieties with longer roots will require larger and deeper vessels. All plant containers require holes in their base to facilitate drainage. It is standard practice to place a shallow layer of gravel over the base of containers before filling them with potting mix. This ensures an adequate drainage that prevents the mix becoming waterlogged and subsequently drowning the roots.

Watering

Determining the appropriate frequency and volume of watering is one of the most important and challenging aspects of container gardening. In warm, dry conditions, potted plants generally require an automatic watering system or fairly constant attention. In cooler weather, the main risk is over watering and eventually drowning the roots. Sometimes the surface of the potting mix will look and feel dry but it is important to dig a few centimetres below this base. When a sample of mixture taken from this depth feels slightly moist and springs back when pinched between the fingers, there is no need for additional watering. Obviously, the ideal situation is to maintain this level by replacing water at the same rate it is drained, evaporated and taken up by the roots. This is where an automatic watering system or patience is required.

Potting mix

Plants housed in containers require an organic potting mixture since they will not usually obtain enough nutrients from ordinary garden soil. In addition to plant nutrients, organic mixtures provide water and air for the roots. Like sponges, good quality mixtures are structurally designed to hold a separated dispersion of air and water particles. When saturated by over watering, the mixture tends to break down, air particles get displaced, nutrients are washed away, and the overall structure is weakened. While most commercial varieties tend to be excellent and convenient products, it is certainly possible to make organic potting mix at home using combinations of natural materials such as loam, garden and worm composts, leaf mould and seaweed extracts. The exact recipe for each mix will vary with the type of plants and their particular climate and growing conditions.

Location

Most potted plants will benefit from a location that receives plenty of sunlight and a good circulation of fresh air. During the peak of summer, try to secure some shade relief for sensitive plants. Particularly in the tropics and sub-tropical regions try to be alert for any weather forecasts of severe rain, hail, or wind. In these situations, smaller containers can be carried indoors, while any that are too large or heavy need to be secured and protected as much as possible.

For absolute beginners or those without the space for a proper garden, containers can be stacked on a balcony or windowsill to provide a small but exciting range of fresh produce. The best plants to grow are smaller varieties with leaves or fruit that can be picked for salads. Herbs like thyme, basil, chives, and garlic are a great choice. Simple salad preferences might be lettuce, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and courgettes. For a slightly more exotic taste go for combinations like endive, mustard cress, chicory, sorrel, and coriander. Remember that most varieties of lavender are beautiful, strongly scented, and an ideal companion plant for edible herbs. Lavender is easy to grow and attracts beneficial insects while helping to repel pests like aphid and mite. Ornamental fruit trees do particularly well in medium to larger size containers. Citrus fruits require lots of warm sunlight but pears and apples will be fine in most cooler climates.