Need container gardening ideas on which season is best for beginning gardeners? What plants to use? Simple design tips to get you started? What are really the essential tools you will need? Consider this your beginner’s guide to gardening.
My first big idea if you’re just getting started in the garden is a simple one: start simple! Although you can fill your pots at any time of the year and however you want, my best advice is to follow these tips:
- the right season: Start your container garden in a season when there are many flowers to choose from and are easy to grow. For most of us, they are spring and summer annuals.
- simple design map: Have a simple garden design plan: one large pot and three to five smaller ones is a great way to start (remember, stick with an odd number). You can experiment with different types (clay pots, planters, glazed ceramic pots, terracotta) many options!). Try a corner – Using a few planters outdoors gives you several different design options. Whether you’re gardening on the patio or balcony, or have flowers on the roof or terrace, try to start with one corner: you can center the big one, surround it with smaller ones (remember to use a triangle shape if you can). line up from the front). to go back in the height of the pot). Place the medium and small pots on a wrought iron stand (you can use trailing plants effectively here), accent with the large pot. Make an asymmetrical design by placing the large pot on the left or right, a few showy pots surrounding it, and then a couple coming out.
- Get the soil right: Start with commercially made potting soil. It is by far the best option. You don’t want to go astray trying to mix your own potting soil at first. Plus, this gives you time to really learn what kind of plants you want to keep growing. Cacti and succulents take on very different soil types than grasses and herbaceous perennials. Learn what you like, then learn to mix the soils they love.
- get the basics: Don’t go crazy, get the gardening tools you need. You’ll have fun adding more gardening supplies later. Start with hand tools:
- a paddle (the paddle variety is great, with teeth)
- a shovel (for a large pot)
- gardening gloves
- container for mixing soil, water gel crystals, fertilizer granules (a small wheelbarrow or just any old tub will do, just make sure you can move it)
- A GOOD pair of garden shears. If you have an investment to make, do it here. You won’t believe how much you’ll use your pruning shears.
Here’s a little more information on the basic gardening supplies you’ll want:
- Pruning shears: Be sure to get pruning shears, not pruning shears, which are too large for container gardening. And make sure you like the way they fit and feel in your hand.
- a shower cabin: Try to get one with a detachable spout so you can unclog it. This also gives you the option of watering without the tip and sending a stronger stream into your pot. Plastic is a good choice here – you can find large watering cans that hold a lot of water, but are lightweight. Other materials, like painted pewter or decorative metal, can be pretty, but they can rust and become heavy.
- water nozzle: If you have the option, it is always good to locate your container garden near a hose. It is much, MUCH easier to buy a nozzle with a bunch of settings (“stream” to clean, “shower” to water, etc.) than to try to do it with a shower head with only one setting.
- Optional: a knife (good for dividing plants), a hat, and a plastic tarp (good for planting, makes cleanup much easier).
- Gloves: I don’t know about you, but I end up taking my gardening gloves off all the time. For me they are too bulky and clumsy and I can’t get a good feel for plants and soil, especially small plants and potting soil that need a bit of softening. I use those very thin plastic gloves that you buy at any grocery store. You can buy a whole box for little money. They rip, I have to be honest. But it’s better than nothing, which is how I usually end up anyway!
Okay, final thought: Another great thing about container gardening is that you don’t have to weed! Well, not much anyway!