| Many gardeners have given up on the idea of a | | | | tree, pot a fruit tree instead. There are many dwarf |
| garden because they lack space, time or lots of | | | | varieties available that work best in pots since with |
| experience. But if growing plants is an interest of | | | | pots there is less soil therefore less nutrients to draw |
| yours container gardening could be your answer. | | | | from. If you live in a year round warm climate citrus |
| Container gardens will allow you to enjoy "playing in | | | | trees are perfect. In other regions, stick to pear, |
| the dirt" without investing a lot of time or money. | | | | apple and cherry trees. Another good container |
| You can get very creative in container gardening | | | | gardening idea is to grow strawberries. With |
| using vegetables, decorative grasses or flowers and | | | | strawberries climate does not matter since you can |
| herbs. You can plant a container garden with any | | | | bring the container inside. Fresh strawberries are |
| plant that would grow outside. The trick is to come | | | | amazingly sweet and delicious. Imagine how good a |
| up with some creative ideas for your container | | | | bowl of fresh strawberries will be, strawberries that |
| garden. | | | | you have just picked. |
| You should do some research at your local nursery or | | | | Remember that container gardens dry out more |
| on the internet to choose the plants you wish to | | | | quickly than traditional gardens. Be diligent about |
| grow to help you come up with some ideas. Try to | | | | watering your plants if you don't want your container |
| use plants that complement each other and have the | | | | gardening ideas to wither and die. Container gardens |
| same basic needs for water, air and light. | | | | must be fertilized too. Keep a small notebook handy |
| A container garden idea that has taken off recently | | | | so you can write down the needs of your plant so |
| is the landscape container. Some people plant a simple | | | | you will always know when to water or feed. Keep |
| evergreen tree in a container with good drainage to | | | | an eye out for pests. If you find a container that has |
| place at their front door. Or you could plant an | | | | an infestation, isolate it immediately and treat it with |
| assortment of flowers for a bright and beautiful vista. | | | | a natural pesticide. You don't want harsh chemicals on |
| If you do plant flowers, add plants that spill over the | | | | fruits, vegetables or herbs. A good natural pesticide |
| sides of the container to add more visuals and | | | | recipe is: |
| interest. What ever container gardening idea you can | | | | In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 |
| come up with can be placed on a deck, patio, and | | | | cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty |
| balcony or by the front doors. Put them somewhere | | | | spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture |
| that your family and friends can enjoy. | | | | and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more |
| You can grow vegetables in containers but choose | | | | often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, |
| wisely. Vegetables like squash and pole beans need | | | | aphids, scales, and other pests. |
| lots of space, while tomatoes need a deep pot. | | | | So, do some research, come up with your own |
| When you grow your own vegetables you will have | | | | unique container gardening ideas, gather your |
| tasty produce not the bland stuff that is in the | | | | materials and get to work. The fruits of your labor |
| grocery store. Nothing tastes better than a tomato | | | | will be amazing. |
| right off the vine. There are many chefs and good | | | | Happy Container Gardening! |
| home cooks that grow their own for just this reason. | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved. |
| Don't forget to pot some herbs, they are pretty | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| plants and add zest to your meals. | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| But don't just stick to vegetables and herbs; why not | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| add fruit trees too? Instead of using an evergreen | | | | unchanged. |