Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. They are not just limited to homes with a lot of acreage. Gardens can exist in small spaces, too. This is true especially for people who live in the cities, where space is at a premium. Nice flower and vegetables gardens can be created in a small patio by using containers. Read this article for helpful hints on how you can start your own container garden in your patio.
If you are deciding what you should grow in your first container garden, you should grow herbs. Herbs are one of the most easiest types of plants to grow, and they are perfect for containers, large or small. They are low-maintenance and fast-growing. With the proper sun and water, you can see your herb seedling quickly grow into a substantial plant. Imagine being able to pick your own fresh herbs to flavor your dishes when you cook! If you live in an area where winters are cold, you can grow herbs in small, portable containers move your herbs indoors when the temperature drops, making it possible for you to have fresh herbs all year-round
If you want to try growing vegetables, consider growing tomatoes. In a container with soil, provide a supporting structure for the tomato vine in the form of stakes or a tomato cage. Set the plant in full sun, and avoid over-watering your plant. Some people have success with planting tomatoes in a hanging container, so that can be something you can consider.
Peppers grow well in small containers because they have compact roots. You usually do not need any container bigger than 12 inches. To add color, consider planting green, yellow, red and orange peppers.
Lettuce is also easy to grow. It grows very fast, and you can enjoy baby greens when their leaves are still tender and small. If you want to always have fresh lettuce on hand, plant different pots at different times.
When you are choosing plants to grow, read the plant descriptions carefully. Some plants need full sun while others need shade. Some need plenty of room to spread out and mature, while others only need a little bit of space. Do an assessment of your patio area, and take note of what type of sun exposure that it gets. You will need to grow plants that do well in the amount of sun that your patio gets. If you have a small space, avoid growing plants that need to spread out. Plants that are overcrowded do not do well and can develop diseases.
Keep your eye on your container garden because pests can invade your plants. Make sure that your plants are in a container that is suitable in size and that it is not overcrowded. Look for natural methods of pest control so that pesticides would not accumulate in the soil.
Container gardening is a great way to bring in a bit of nature into your urban home. Try some of the suggestions in this article, and you can create your own little garden haven.