Planter Gardening Tips

Planter gardening offers more mobility and flexibility than traditional gardening. Ideal for urban or rural lifestyles, it can provide year-round satisfaction as well as the opportunity to bring the outdoors inside. Once thought to be the ideal alternative for apartment dwellers and people with small yards, planter gardening is today enjoyed by people of all ages, lifestyles and gardening abilities. Here are a few tips to ensure a successful, satisfying planter gardening experience.

The Right Soil and Fertilizer
There is a variety of potting soil mixes specially balanced for the types of plants most often used in a planter garden. Since many of these are slightly acidic, it's often helpful to add a little lime to the soil. Because it's important to ensure a planting medium that drains rapidly yet retains enough moisture to keep roots evenly moist, many potting soil mixes contain special wetting agents. A growing variety of soil-less mixes have also been developed to help fight off soil-borne disease and insects. Compost is also highly recommended as an excellent natural potting soil. Or, for a more hands-on experience, you can create your own potting mixture by combining equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil and peat moss.

Next, it's important to consider the type of fertilizer you will use. Garden planters tend to drain the soil rapidly, which means fertilizer can be washed out of the container before it benefits the plant. Liquid fertilizers should be used, preferably at every other watering. While selecting a fertilizer, it's imperative to keep in mind the individual nutrient needs of your plant.

The Right Plant and Location
Once you have decided on the right soil and fertilizer, the next important decision is what to plant. The final choice comes down to personal preference and the type of atmosphere you want to create. Petunias, impatiens, periwinkles, and geraniums do especially well in planters and add dramatic color to any area.

To create a more peaceful, reflective environment, you might want to consider bonsai trees, small ferns, or ornamental grasses. You may also opt for something more useful, such as an herb garden, which could include such basics as basil, fennel, oregano, and mint.

Most important in your decision of what to plant is compatibility with your chosen location. As a general rule, most planter gardens need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day. Leafy vegetables, like cabbage and lettuce, do well with more shade, while fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, need considerably more sun. Flower requirements depend on the variety. If you're gardening indoors, look for sunny locations near windows and doorways, or carefully choose plants that can tolerate low natural light conditions.

There are no limits to what you can achieve with planter gardening. With just a little bit of knowledge, you can easily transform even the smallest area into an oasis of color and beauty.