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How to Create the Perfect Container Garden

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Page 1: How to Create the Perfect Container Garden

How to Create the Perfect Container Garden

This is definitely an intriguing posting I chanced on this morning. I don't 100% concur with almostall the author, however I located it being an excellent read.

The vision of a beautiful home often includes images of carefully potted plants and flowers. If you'dlike to add to your home's appeal by planting a few container gardens but are just not sure how, thisgardening guide will put you on the right track. Spruce up your porch, patio, and other parts of yourhome using these tips for designing the perfect container garden.

The container itself

Different containers provide different benefits, so don't just go for the pots with the most eye-catching patterns. The drainage and moisture needs of your plants should be a part of your decision

Page 2: How to Create the Perfect Container Garden

when it comes to containers. You may need to punch some holes in the bottom of a pot if it needsmore drainage or plug a few holes if you need less. Wood containers look nice but may be prone torot. Hanging planters will need frequent watering. You can find more tips on containers here.

Know where your pots will live

If you're filling a pot with sun-loving plants but plan to place it on your porch where there's onlyshade, stop! Choose the right types of plants for the areas you want to fill. There are plants that loveshade, plants that love sun, and plants that need a little of each. Plan ahead so you don't end up withdead plants.

Choose plants that share growth needs

Sunlight, soil and moisture needs should be similar among the plants sharing a pot. Don't mix plantsthat love the sun with plants that love the shade or desert cacti with water-lovers - you're sure to bedisappointed! Purchase the best kind of soil for the plants in each of your pots to get the best growthresults.

Vary the sizes

Using variations of tall, medium, and small plants to fill all the visual space is one of the first rules indesigning a container gardens. Another way to look at this rule is to make sure your pot includes oneeach of a vertically-growing plant, a horizontally-growing, and one that "cascades" over the sides ofthe container. Pay attention to what the plants are now versus the way they will be when they arefully grown.

Use contrasting plants

Use plants with contrasting colors and textures to give your container garden the most visualinterest. A plant with smooth-edged leaves may be complimented by one with jagged edges. A plantwith brightly colored blooms may look best next to a tall grass. You may want to buy all of the plantsfor a particular container at one time so that you can try out different combinations right there inyour shopping cart.

Think about how the plants will change

The plants you choose may start small but will undoubtedly grow, taking up more space than youmay have originally planned. Check the labels or ask nursery attendants for details about thedifferent plants. Some plants may also develop blooms of various kinds and colors and you may needto take that into account if you have a particular color or texture scheme in mind. Also be aware ofplants that may attract certain insects or birds -- this may be something you want, or it may besomething to avoid!

Take care in planting

Follow the planting and care instructions for each plant so that you have the best chances of keepingthem all alive during the potting process. Moving plants from their original containers to new onescan be stressful for them and they may need some time to adjust before you put them outside,especially if the weather is not ideal. Do your best to care for the plants each day and your containergardens will be a pleasant and eye-catching addition to your home.

Page 3: How to Create the Perfect Container Garden

Kayla Lilly is a photographer, writer, wife, and mama making a house a home in eastern Idaho. Shemet her mister while working at an amusement park and married him a year later after decidingthere was no way to live without him. The amusement has continued as they've added three kids anda passel of pets to their lives while finishing college and starting a photography business. Drawinginspiration from the whirlwinds of marriage, parenthood, and the media, Kayla blogs at UtterlyInexperienced, and spends the rest of her time chasing chickens, organizing junk drawers, diaperingtoddlers, and photographing everyone willing to step in front of her lens.

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