A systematic approach to container gardening involves the following stages
The Home Zen gardeners advise choosing large containers over small ones. Large containers are capable of storing more soil and hence remain moist all through the hot summer day, thus keeping the plant fresh. Small pots store inadequate soil which may dry up easily and one would have to water the pot more frequently to prevent the plant from dying. The type of plant that has to be grown in the container should also be determined before choosing the size of the same. Plants which have deep roots don’t grow well in restrained pots. Hence one should select the container wisely. Another factor to consider is how often would you be moving your container. If you need to move it more frequently, then it doesn’t make sense going for a large one.
The container that one chooses should have drainage holes to allow the water to drain-off from the pot. Excessive water in the pot may overhydrate the plant and the roots may not receive enough oxygen, due to which the plant may die. Our gardeners make sure that the holes in the container are of appropriate size. Large holes will not allow the roots to absorb water and the plant will wither over time.
Most pots are either made of clay or terracotta materials which are delicate to handle and can break or crack at the slightest accident. However, since they are light to maneuver around, these pots are preferred for indoor gardening. The ceramic pots are available in two variants; glazed ceramic pots and unglazed ceramic pots. The glazed ceramic pots look especially attractive and give the container a posh appeal. Ceramic is a favorite buy for many homeowners as the pores in the container allow air and moisture to reach the bottom of the pot right up to the root level. The ceramic pots can be placed in the outdoor or indoor area and hence it is a pretty versatile option. Besides this, some homeowners prefer plastic pots for planting. Though this is not an eco-friendly option, it is lightweight and easy to manage. The polyurethane containers look similar to concrete or terracotta pots but weigh 90% lesser than usual.
There are some small yet effective tips that need to be kept in mind while potting plants. The Home Zen gardeners ensure that all the necessary points are executed to perfection while setting-up home gardens. A few examples are; making sure that the pots are placed in its position at the terrace, area or outdoor yards before they are filled with soil. Secondly the pots need to be positioned strategically where it gets adequate amount of sun but also has a shading to prevent the delicate leaves from turning brown. Another important point to note is that the holes of the pot should not be covered with potshards or gravel before adding the soil along with other potting mixes. One can place a layer of newspaper or paper towel to avoid the soil from flowing out of the hole. Also the type of soil to be used for container gardening is not the same as outdoor gardens. The usual garden soil is too thick for container gardens. Therefore, the appropriate quality of soil mixture is to be used to maintain the balance of water and air.
The good thing about container gardening is that almost all varieties of plants including; herbs, veggies, shrubs, and flowering plants can grow in potted containers. Even the dwarf variety of Japanese plants make a good fit as potted varieties of plants. Similar to the outdoor gardening, the plants chosen should be selected as per the climatic conditions. There is a lot of flexibility in container gardening technique. The old plants can be discarded and a new set of plants can be potted as per the preferences of the home owners.
The most important care tip for container gardening is to keep the soil moist at all times and avoid it from going dry. A layer of mulch can be spread at the base of the container to keep the soil in healthy moist conditions. A mild organic fertilizer can be used once a week to prevent the plant from attracting worms and other insects. To maintain the aesthetic appeal dead leaves and dried flowers need to be removed from the pot, to avoid it from looking messy.
We understand how important it is for you to keep your spaces in absolute speckless condition. The Home Zen is your one-stop service provider for all your container gardening requirements. Simply reach out to us and allow us to transform plain spaces into beautiful luxurious sites.