Whether you’re looking to grow fresh flowers, vegetables, or herbs having the perfect space to do it in makes all the difference. The great thing is that anyone can start a small garden and you don’t even have to have a huge backyard or space to put it in. Many container gardens and window gardens turn out to be some of the best experiences. If you’re new to gardening, starting off with something that small is ideal until you get the hang of things. Below are a few ideas on how to get your small garden started without a hitch.
Healthy Plants in Containers
There are plenty of plant types that you can choose from that flourish in containers. It is important to keep in mind however that the maintenance for plants in containers is a lot more than those grown in the ground. This is because they dry out at a faster pace which means more watering is required. They are also more susceptible to temperature change.
In order to maintain healthy plants in containers it is important that they are not all crowded together as this can stress them out. Keep them fertilized regularly since they will not receive as many nutrients from the Earth as those plants grown in the ground. They have time release fertilizer which is a great resource for beginners.
A great rule of thumb for gardening in containers is to remember that the smaller and more compact they are the more it will require watering. However, you can also opt to choose plants such as poppies, morning glories, and nasturtiums, which are not as water intense.
Window Boxes
You can easily go to the gardening section of any local store and find a window box which is also a great way to begin a small garden. Before purchasing a window box, be sure that you’ve measured the width and length of your sill so that you get the accurate size. There are different material types to choose from including fiberglass, wood, and plastic. There are also metal ones available, however, many professional gardeners say that you should steer clear of those as they can rust and cause serious damage to smaller fragile plants as it retains a lot more heat. Be sure that once you’ve decided on a box that it is secured to the sill with the bolts or wire.
Once the box is secure you need to cover the bottom of it with some landscape fabric so that the soil stays in place as the excess water begins to drain. Next you take some soil and fill the box about three quarters of the way full then mix in your organic matter (compost) such as leaf mold, or aged manure. For a nice look plant a variety of plants that mix between bushy, tall and draping when grown.
Flowers that Grow Well in Small Container Gardens
There are plenty of flowers that you can choose from to grow in your new small window garden. Some of the most popular include geraniums, African daises, California poppies, love in a mist, lantana, and lavender.
