Working with plants can be very therapeutic and have been shown in numerous studies to help relieve stress. One study I recall from several years ago showed that people who see trees in their daily lives tend to have 5% less stress than those who live in a purely paved paradise (I don't recall where the study came from or I'd cite it here, sorry guys). The good news is that growing a garden doesn't require an expanse of land. Even on a tiny apartment balcony you can enjoy growing some food and other useful plants. Just take a stroll through your local mom n' pop nursery to see a plethora of plants and trees thriving in containers. It's so easy! Fill empty patio corners with pots, take up wall space with mounted boxes, or hang planters from overhangs and balcony railings. Getting creative with the space you have is all part of the fun.
We have an enclosed front porch where over the years I've had many herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants growing in containers of all shapes and sizes. Currently, our three cats tend to eat whatever I put out there so, alas, I haven't used that space for a while (although, I've been brainstorming on turning the porch into a pet garden which will be a project for a future article). However, I still use some containers out in the yard. Last year, due to the drought here in Northern California, I grew our vegetables in large pots to reduce water usage. This year we built new raised beds for the veggies, but I still use pots for herbs and salad greens.
Just like us, plants require their basic needs to be met in order to survive: air, water, food, sunlight, and shelter. In this article we're going to explore each of these components in terms of container gardening.
Shelter
Shelter refers to the containers the plants are growing in. You can buy ready-to-go planters or make your own from wood or clay. Head to the thrift store and see what exciting items they have to turn into pots. Breathe new life into old "junk" like bathtubs, buckets, or large old cooking pots. Re-purpose old garbage cans, metal drums, wood wine barrels, whatever you can find. Line baskets or recycled kitchen colanders with moss for hanging. Used gutters grow great salad greens. Wood containers are a favorite, just choose wood that hasn't been treated with chemicals that could get absorbed by roots (like us, plants are what they eat... er, absorb). Get creative – just make sure that it's big enough to house the root system. The bigger and deeper the pot the better for most slow growing sprawling veggies such as squashes, tomatoes, and beans. Faster growing leafy salad greens, bulb roots like garlic and onions, along with some herbs can grow well in smaller, more shallow pots as the root systems don't need as much space. Keep in mind that darker color pots will attract more heat and can become too hot for some plants, particularly in warmer climate zones. To prevent this, paint them a lighter color or wrap them in burlap. No matter what container you choose, the most important thing is to make sure that it has appropriate water drainage holes (see water section below).
(Photo provided by Unsplash / Photographer: Jan Jakub Nanista)
Sunlight
Location, location, location – that's the key here. Plants use a process called photosynthesis where sunlight facilitates the transformation of water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. Simply put: plants need sunlight to grow and produce the food we eat and the air we breathe. Most veggies and herbs do best in full sun, at least 6 hours each day. A couple of considerations here, however, have to do with your specific climate zone. If you live in a warmer area, placing containers on cement could over heat the plants because cement absorbs the suns' rays and creates hot spots. If you can't move them to another location, put up a partial shade to cool the plants and you. Large weave fabrics that still let in some light work well. Conversely, if you live in a cooler area, placing plants on cement, or up against walls that will reflect heat back onto them, could be ideal, especially in the cool spring or if you're sowing seeds directly in the pots, and again when it cools in the autumn to extend the pseudo summer warmth. Consider placing pots on wheels to make it easier if you want to move them to different locations during different seasons.
(Photo provided by Unsplash / Photographer: Artur Aleksanian)
Food
Plants get their food from soil, absorbing nutrients and water through the roots. Providing the proper soil and nourishing it is imperative to the health of your herbs and veggies. I don't recommend just digging us some Earth and filling your pots. The composition of ground in your yard may not be supportive to root growth. For example, the dirt in my area is like clay and has very little nourishment. Potting soil mix for container plants is designed for the special needs of potted plants. Potting soil helps balance the right amount of moisture and facilitates proper drainage, providing an airy space that allows roots to roam, and reduces the tendency of certain plant diseases. To get your little plant friends started on the right foot you can purchase an organic brand potting soil from your local nursery or blend your own. As nutrients are absorbed by plants or leeched out by water (which also changes the pH level of the soil), they must be replaced periodically. Tending to the soil of your plants is important whether they're residing directly in the ground or in containers. This is where plant foods and compost come into action. I urge you to beware of commercial chemical laden fertilizers and go all natural. Start with composting (yes, you can even compost indoors).
Pro Tip: protect soil from escaping containers with large drainage holes by lining the bottom of the pot with mesh screen or cloth.
Water
It's all about finding balance with water. Soil should be moist at all times but not swamp-like. Drainage holes are a necessity! If excess water can't drain out it will kill your plants and attract mosquito's. If your container doesn't have holes, give it some. For pots with few or very tiny drainage holes (less that 1/8-inch), fill 1/4 of the bottom of the pot with pebbles to allow for a water reserve when drainage is slow. Quality potting soil holds moisture while easily allowing excess water to flow through. Larger pots can hold more soil which in turn hold more moisture allowing longer time between watering sessions, while smaller containers may need watering daily. Plants in porous containers, such as clay, will require more water as moisture is likely to evaporate quicker. To keep the soil from drying out too much, you can layer the top with straw, tree leaves, or other mulch. Use your fingers to check the level of moisture in the soil regularly. If it feels too dry (or if you see droopy or wilted leaves – which you never want to do), give the plant a good dose of water. Although I enjoy watering my plants by hand, many people install drip irrigation systems so that watering becomes automatic. Another watering method that I love is to fill a used wine bottle with water then turn it upside down and stick the neck into the soil near the plant base.
Air
Although they don't breathe in the same way us animals do, plants still need fresh air. Place containers in an spot where air will circulate freely. This also reduces certain plant diseases. One word of caution about areas with heavy winds: for plants that grow tall or vines growing up lattices, be sure to bolster the container, supporting it from unwanted blow-overs. Indoor plants are awesome for improving indoor air quality since they tend to act like filters. Some vegetables – like tomatoes and peppers – can be grown inside, as well as many herbs (unless you have cats that eat everything growing green like we do). It's important, though, that they're near a southern facing window that gets enough sunlight (remember about 6 hours most days), and that the window can be opened for air circulation.
Planting Basics
Getting plants into containers is pretty basic. I'll be talking in depth about seed starting, transplanting, and choosing nursery plants in future articles, but for now, just consider that planting in a container is no different than raised beds or farm rows. You can sow seeds directly in the soil or transplant starters. After situating the soil, but before adding the plant or seeds to the pot, fill the container with water and thoroughly soak the soil. Allow the pot to drain for a few hours or over night. Plant seeds or starters as normal. Again water, gently as not to disturb seeds or roots too much.
Get the most out of your space. Placing different types of plants in one large pot allows for various levels of harvesting times, function, and beauty. For example, a slow growing deep-rooted cucumber pairs well surrounded with fast growing shallow-rooted lettuce that can be harvested and re-seeded. You've probably seen those salsa pots where a tomato plant, a pepper plant, a cilantro plant, and an onion all walk into a bar... I mean live in a container together. There are countless combinations as long as the container is large enough to accommodate all the root systems with enough soil to maintain moisture. In my own garden, I have a parsley and a cilantro that bunk together. I also tend to grow a variety of leafy salad greens in the same pot.
(Photo provided by Unsplash / Photographer: Eduard Militaru)
One final note: be sure to watch out for signs of plant diseases, such as discoloration or shriveling of the leaves, holes or insect damage, or anything else abnormal. Some diseases can be healed by adjusting water, soil, sun, or air. But some diseases may be more serious and need further treatment or (knock-on-wood) sanitation. Keep a look out for my pest control guide coming up.
The most exciting part of the gardening adventure is harvesting! Every day you'll watch your plants grow and begin to produce the wonderful treats that will nourish your body. It's a symbiotic relationship: you care for the plants and they'll care for you.
Have you gardened with containers? Please, share any tips or trick – or anything that I might have missed here – in the comments below!
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