When container gardening is reduced to its basic essentials, there are only four basics to consider. However, these must be considered to be successful.
The four essential considerations of container gardening are:
1. The right size container.
2. Drainage of the container.
3. Soil selection.
4. Watering.
You must select the right size container for your plant.
Too small of a pot will crowd out the roots and cut off moisture, oxygen and nutrients. (You always have the option to transplant to a larger container.) However, too large of a pot makes it difficult to move and the pot dwarfs the plants. Therefore, everyone observes the gardening container, not the plant.
Get creative in selecting your gardening container. See the article, "Container Gardening's Unique Containers."
For permanent plants, pick a container that is two inches deeper and two inches wider than a nursery pot. A nursery pot is the black, plastic pot it was in when you bought it. That gives the plant expansion room in all directions.
For annual plants, the rules change and you can group them together because of small roots. That means more plants in single pots so you can mix and match colors, textures and heights.
If planting a large plant with large root ball, consider the future on-going root growth. Give the roots the room and the opportunity to grow out from that original ball. Be sure to break up the ball so that the roots grow outward more quickly than they would if left in a ball.
The potential growth and size is a consideration for a large container like those used for permanent housing of a plant.
These larger gardening container pots require a heavier mix of soil to anchor the pot, adequate drainage and air space. However, pick your materials so that they act as weight or filler while being water-wise in the selection. Remember that, whatever you use, must serve the dual purpose of drainage and weight.
While you may use rocks to line the bottom of the pot for stability, consider how often you plan on moving the pot. Few pots are placed and remain in that same location for many years.
Use light packaging material or crushed soda cans to fill the bottom of containers to provide better drainage. Don't use biodegradable popcorn because when it degrades, you're left without the drainage and air that the plant's roots so desperately need.
Focus upon getting the right sized gardening container for your plants before you go further when your planning. With each step of the way toward successful container gardening, recheck to ensure that you have bought the right container for the right plant. If you discover you need a change, make that change as soon as possible.
Remember that if you have questions, you've got resources. You can email me at DarryD@GardenersReach.com and I will share my solutions with you. To see local gardening events, subscribe with us and enjoy the use of our Local Events Calendar which includes local Master Gardener talks and clinics.
Remember that "success is a journey, not a destination."
Consider Reading: Creative container gardening or A Potted Schefflera on it's Last Leg
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