Container gardening is gaining immense popularity as it serves many gardening lovers who lack space. The good things about Gardening containers are that you can set them up in a small space that can include your balcony or even a small yard. Container gardening is very popular in Singapore as many dwellers live in a high-rise building and cannot enjoy gardening in open land. There are varieties of vegetables that one can choose to produce with the help of a gardening container.
To get a more clear understanding of gardening in pots, one must understand several aspects of gardening in a container, such as a drainage, container size, material of the container, preparation process, and many more. Container gardening can be started at one of your favorite spots right out of the kitchen. Plants lay a vital role in offering color and match to the aesthetics of your house. You can place them on an amount or a pedestal, and you can mount them on a windowsill. Gardening containers make gardening come alive that is why people love the whole of Singapore.
Before opting to start container gardening, there are cretin points that you should consider. The container’s size, the drainage offered by the container, and the quality of the container’s material play a vital role in determining how your gardening will turn up.
Container Size:
The size of the container entirely depends on which plant you are looking forward to growing. The bigger the container, the easy it is to grow plants in them. This is because bigger containers can hold more soil. Growing plants in a smaller container can lead to drying up instantly. You will need to water small containers twice a day for the best results, especially during summers.
To start container gardening, it is essential to determine which plant you want to grow and then opt for a container for the best results. The size and shape of the plant roots system can help determine the size of the container. If you are looking forward to mixed planting, then it is advised to choose a large container. It is because large containers will allow enough space for all the roots you plan to grow.
The container’s color also plays a vital role as light color containers keep the soil cool compared to dark-colored containers. Before planning the container for gardening, ensure you check the space you have available and its strength. If you have a good place on your balcony, then you can opt for a bigger container.
Container Drainage:
Drainage of containers is essential if you are looking forward to container gardening. Without drainage, there are many chances of the plant getting over logged and ultimately death due to excess water. If there are no holes in the container, ensure you create holes that are enough to allow proper drainage. A container that does not have any less is generally used for cachepots or a cover. It is advised to grow plants in an ordinary nursery pot and then decorates it with a cachepot so that you can separate them easily when required.
At present, with the innovation in the home gardening industry, there are several containers available in Singapore that come with self-watering features. Smaller plants require frequent watering, which is why you should always keep them in a container having a proper drainage system.
Container material:
Several containers can be used for container gardening. Below mentioned are some of the most popular container material that is quite popular in Singapore. Each of these container materials has its own benefits and disadvantages.
Clay and Terracotta:
Clay and terracotta are one of the most attractive containers, but they are easily breakable. They can be damaged easily due to freezing and thawing. This type of container is not suitable for icy places but serves warmer locations in Singapore.
Cast concrete:
Cast concrete containers are trendy as they are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. You can choose from a wide variety that suits your home interiors. Cast concrete containers are long-lasting and can face any weather conditions.
Plastic and Fibreglass:
Plastic and fiberglass containers are also popular for container gardening. These containers are lightweight and come at a fair price when compared to cast concrete or clay. Plastic and fiberglass containers are available in various sizes and shapes. It is advised to select plastic containers sturdy and avoid thin ones, as they get brittle or cold with age.
Wood Containers:
Wood is one of the best containers as they are naturally available ad protects the roots from rapid temperature swings. Woods such as cedar and locusts serves best for gardening containers as they do not rot easily and are strong.
Container Preparation for Gardening:
Containers generally get heavy after preparation, so it is advised to position the containers before starting the preparation. Look for a position that gets the morning sunlight for the best for your plant. Before adding, the potting mix ensures that the container has holes to allow proper drainage. Before adding the mix, it is advised to put a paper towel in the holes to avoid any soil material from leakage at the preparation stage.
If the container is deep, ensure that you place a layer featuring Styrofoam or gravel as it allows in reducing the level of potting soil. Before you fill the container, moisten the soil by watering it. Ensure that the soil is uniformly moist before planting. If you are looking forward to mixed planting, ensure that you plant densely as you will need to prune them once it is filled.
Once done, firm the given planter mixture with gentle motions and settle it by watering continuously. Do not fill soil up to the brim of the pot instead, leave ample space for proper watering for the best results.
Conclusion:
The above-mentioned points will give you a clear idea regarding gardening containers. Gardening is a very vital aspect of our lives as it offers natural essence and keeps the home safe from excess pollution. For people living in apartments and high-rise buildings, container gardening is a blessing in disguise. Referring to the above points, you will be able to start gardening using containers in your home.
