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Successful Organic Gardening In Containers By Julie Williams
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| Wednesday, December 31, 2008 |
The space can be at a premium, especially these days when apartments and condos are so popular. A simple solution for those who want to develop at least some basic herbs and vegetables is to grow in containers. Maybe you do not have time to maintain a large vegetable garden, or if you have a physical condition that prevents you from bending or using the usual gardening tools. Whatever the reason, container gardening can be an excellent way to produce some of your organic food needs.
While container gardening May its limitations, there are major advantages.
* You have the advantage of being able to make inside the containers through the coldest part of winter.
* Your pots / containers can create a focal point on a balcony or terrace, add interest, color or foliage.
* The planters can be made from any type of container that contains the soil and allows adequate drainage.
* Potting mediums are easy to work because they are pH.
* Weeds are much less likely to become a problem.
* Fewer chance of being attacked by snails and slugs and diseases transmitted through the floor.
* The smallest space - even a window can be used to produce fresh herbs
Soil
You must purchase premium potting mix for growing in containers. Do not be tempted to use your garden soil in pots, because it is compact and heavy, not allowing water to drain well. A premium potting soil is a must. It is lightweight and has excellent drainage.
You need to provide all the nutrients your pot plants, as most mixtures are not supplied with organic fertilizer. Remember that more is not better when it comes to the application of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer in contact with the roots of your plant will burn. Always follow the directions on the package of fertilizer. There are many organic fertilizers at your disposal to study mixtures adapted to the nature of the plant you are growing - leaves, flowers, vegetables, etc.
Container plants need water more often than normal garden plants, and consequently, water infiltrates no fertilizer. Thus, container grown plants benefit from liquid flow on a regular basis throughout their growing season. You can buy liquid organic fertilizer if you do not have room to make your own. Use them for food and foliage drenching the soil around your plants.
Watering
Because container plants are above ground the sun and wind dry ground faster than plants grown in soil. During the summer, you should take care that your pots do not dry.
Water containers when the soil dries to a depth of 2 to 1 cm (1 / 2 inch). Apply water at a rate to be gentle on your plants and soil. In really hot weather I usually re-water about 30 minutes after my first watering. This is beneficial in containers as plants can not always take the water quickly.
It is important to ensure that your containers have drainage or your plants will suffer and die in the end, if the roots are permanently sitting in water. If your containers sit on the floor of the bottom drain holes May not easy. If they are on a patio or are adjacent to the land, there should be no fundamental problem of the holes. If you're not sure, make side holes.
The parts of an old clay pot or stealing son placed above the hole will keep the pot mixture packing around the holes and reducing drainage, as well as remaining in the pot.
You can add mulch to larger pots in summer to help prevent them from drying out. I like to use straw peas.
Choosing the right plants
When you're growing in containers, you'll need to search for varieties that are most suitable for cultivation on small areas. Many plants contain excellent specimens. You can start with some of the smaller vegetables such as radish, lettuce, onions, peppers or hot pepper, eggplant, short varieties of carrots, bush beans etc. Container planting is ideal to try some techniques for planting companion. You'll have more success if your plant combinations are happy! If you plant in three successive weeks in May you be able to achieve a continuous production of certain plants.
You can also try some vines you railing or trellis for support. Strawberries grow well in containers, hanging baskets particularly if they are not allowed to dry.
Location
Choose a position for you container plants where they receive about six hours Sunday, each day, preferably in the morning rather than Sunday afternoon Sunday. or May also need to protect plants from falling into the strong wind. If you have a lot of pots, they might offer some protection for the other. Place the largest plants along the wall or trellis.
Many conventional gardeners find themselves with more than plants in containers. I do not think any other way to grow mint as they are simply impossible if they escape into the garden. And how many people have space for a bay tree to maturity, when they use only a few pages a week?
Yes, they take a little more carefully, but we are rewarded for our premiums. Try growing a few pots together. They look good and they provide a micro-climate for the other. Good luck to you!
Hi, I am passionate about organic gardening, and I am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small rural property in southern Australia.
It is my mission to encourage the widest possible to start organic gardening (I know you will become addicted). This will improve our lives and well-being of our personal and global.
Anyone can grow their own food with Organic Gardening - Click here to start
Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living ...
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com |
posted by neptunus @ 5:44 AM
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