Container Gardening

In recent years there has been a move towards planting up more containers in the garden. At one time the only container gardening was the occasional hanging basket.

More people have transport & more disposable income that enables them to visit the big horticultural shows. There is more. To see garden designers using containerized plants on their stands or small garden plots creates the desire to copy. Garden makeover programs on television also tend to include a selection of containers.

If all you have is a small back yard that is paved, hanging baskets & containers can brighten up this area & totally transform the space if done right.

Even with a larger garden, planting up containers enables you to move them around to fill places in your borders when early bulbs or spring plants have died back, or in actual fact where plants have unexpectedly died off & a temporary solution is required.

The danger is that you plant up one or two containers for your small space, like the result & get bitten by the bug. Nothing wrong with that apart from the fact that containers are high maintenance. They need watering. Even in the wettest summer months you really need to water. The foliage has a tendency to act like an umbrella so make certain you get the water underneath & onto the compost. These are your babies; they’re relying on you for food & water. It’s well worth taking the time & making the effort, you’ll be well rewarded. If you plant small shrubs in your containers do not forget that you’ll probably have to make good use of your secateurs to keep them in shape & restricted to their allocated space.

Which containers to use? Your own imagination is your limit. There has been a craze to use metal containers and, yes, in the right context they can look great. However – if they’re in full sun for any part of the day they will get very hot & by nature, most plant roots go down into the soil where it’s cooler. If you do use them, just make certain they’re well positioned & planted appropriately.

Lastly, most of us like to get away for a week or two in the summer. Anything planted into the garden soil by & large looks after itself… Containers need watering. You’ll need an automatic watering system or an understanding neighbor or friendly family member to do the job.

Container gardening can be great fun & very rewarding but before you take the plunge think very carefully about the ongoing maintenance required.

Rodger Cresswell is author of My Garden is My Space & the Diary of a Gardener