MY MEDALLION
If you’re ready to try container gardening, this is the perfect time of year to test out your skills. The days are long and there’s plenty of sunlight, warm temperatures, and rain to encourage plants’ optimal growth. In this guide to easy container gardening, we’ve rounded up a few hints to help get you started. Before you know it, you’re sure to have your own thriving garden.
Assess The Light Your Balcony Receives
Take a good look at the space you hope to fill with plants and evaluate the amount of light that this area receives. Most of us overestimate how much direct sunlight our spaces get every day, so it can be very instructive to closely observe the area and take note. Place a container in the spot you plan to start your garden and record how many hours the sun actually hits it; this will tell you how long the direct sunlight really is. For even more detailed information, there are sun calculators you can find online.
Research Your Plant Selection Before You Shop
While it can be tempting to snap up the first pretty flowers you see, if you do a bit of research before you buy you’ll be stacking the odds in your favour. That’s because several factors can affect the success of your container garden and knowing these you can choose the plants that stand the best chance of thriving. Before you head to the nursery, make a list of the plants that should do well in the setting you’ve chosen. Give yourself a few options to choose from in each category: for example, plants that require full sun, shade, or in between, or plants that will fit into any pots you may already own.
Musts For Success: Potting Soil, Pots With Drainage, And Fertilizer
Thankfully you don’t need to invest in a lot of equipment or accessories to do container gardening, but there are a few key things you’ll need in order to be successful. Consider these items the basics: a good quality, fluffy potting soil (use lots and fill those pots!), plant pots that either have built-in drainage or that you can drill or carve a couple of holes into, and an appropriate fertilizer. Pots with drainage will prevent your plants from suffering any damage from overwatering or too much rain. Fertilizer will ensure your plants flourish; as they only have a small amount of soil to draw on, they need a boost of (ideally slow-release) nutrients to help them grow healthy and strong.
Pay Close Attention To The Instructions On The Plant Tag
It can be very helpful to read the instructions provided on a plant’s tag closely and keep it around for reference. A close reading is worthwhile because the details matter: you’ll learn a plant’s common and scientific names, sun tolerance, ideal planting depth and spacing, how often to water, what size you can expect a mature version to reach, how much it will spread, a plant’s zone hardiness, and care instructions. We suggest holding onto these plant tags or snapping a photo of each and filing them away for safekeeping.
Experiment And Build Your Garden Slowly
The best way to become adept at gardening is trial and error. Don’t be hard on yourself if a particular plant fades. Simply build on what has been working for you, make notes of which plants seem to thrive and where, and continue to experiment. The best gardens evolve over time and are rarely perfect masterpieces right from the start, so give yourself the space to enjoy the learning that comes along with managing your own budding garden. Before you know it, you’ll be full of tips and tricks you can share with others.
We hope we’ve inspired you to start your own container garden this summer. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more ideas on how to cultivate a great outdoor space.
