So you have decided to grow some flowers or vegetables in containers but what should you use? The secret of container gardening is that within reason, anything that can hold soil and has good drainage can be used to grow plants.
Why not have some fun, if you do not have fun gardening you are not doing it right! From classical Urns to old boots, your imagination is the only limitation.
There are a few things to consider though.
Firstly, containers need to be kept watered.
You may not realise this but the wind can cause a container to dry out more quickly than the sun, so make sure you site your container in a sheltered spot.
Another thing to remember is that dark colours, like black, absorb the heat more readily than light colours.
If you are in a cooler climate this means that dark coloured containers will be more useful in keeping the roots of your plants warm but in a hot climate this would be a disaster causing the container to dry out more quickly and need constant watering.
White on the other hand, in a hot climate tends to reflect the heat and keep the soil moist.
Lots of Mediterranean Herbs look wonderful set off against a white container.
You must consider the needs of the plants that you are going to grow, when deciding where to place your containers.
Do the plants like full sun or will they tolerate a bit of shade, to make space for those plants that really need strong sunlight.
Do they thrive in dry conditions or do they prefer their feet wet.
If the container is placed where it will dry out quickly, unless you are using self watering containers, they will need to be watered at least three times, maybe four times a day in high summer.
This can become a real chore and you will have to depend on neighbours or friends to water them if you decide to go away for a few days or more.
If you are growing exotic plants that need to be moved into the shelter of the house or greenhouse in winter, you must make sure that the container is easily moveable no matter how big it is.
Do not forget plants grow larger over the seasons! You can always make your own platform on castors to move them around or how about putting wheels on the containers themselves? Make sure you do it before you fill them up and plant them though! When it comes to growing vegetables you must make sure that the containers are big enough and with that comes the added problem of weight and good drainage.
If you can, support your containers with "feet" slightly above the ground to help drainage and allow air circulation.
If you are going to put heavy containers on roofs or balconies, first make sure that they can take the extra weight.
You can also experiment with adding a lighter filler to the soil in the container, like vermiculite and using polystyrene instead of broken crockery or stones for drainage.
If you are going to perch pots on window sills, or use window boxes, it is no good just balancing them and hoping for the best.
You must make sure that they are secured firmly.
It does not matter if you are using container gardening for yourself, as gifts or even to make money.
The skills you learn will repay you in fresh and tasty vegetables at your own back door, beautiful flowers to look at and you will generally be making the world a nicer place for everyone.
These are just a few of the reasons you to discover more about the secrets of container gardening.