Posts Tagged ‘Container’

Organic Container Gardening – Growing Strawberries in Containers

organic container gardening
by despi88

Organic Container Gardening – Growing Strawberries in Containers

Fresh, bright red and juicy strawberries are often used as dessert toppings and decorations because they make any food appear visually sweeter and mouth-watering. No wonder why many people love strawberries. But did you know that you can grow strawberries in your home? And for those interested in organic container gardening, strawberries are actually one of the easiest fruit-bearing plants to grow in pots. As long as all their growing requirements are met, strawberries can thrive well in any potted environment.

But before you rush to your local nursery to purchase a seedling, here are some points that you must consider to in order to successfully grow your own potted strawberries:

One: Choose the variety that suits your climate. There are two main types of strawberries – seasonal and ever-bearing. Seasonal variety bear fruits during May-June while Ever-bearing produce crops twice a year, one early in summer and another late in summer. If you live in colder regions, you’re more suitable to grow the seasonal variety because ever-bearing strawberries don’t thrive well in cold weather. But you can winter your plants by covering them with plastic sheets to keep the cold out. And since they are in containers, you can easily bring them in, especially during the night, to protect them from the cool evening draft.

Two: Pick pots or containers with enough drainage holes. Strawberries do not like to sit in soggy soil so good drainage is important. You containers must be at least 8-10 inches deep.

Three: Start with a good potting soil and enhance it by mixing organic matters in. You can also add fertilizers to the starting soil. When transplanting a young seedling, add enough soil such that the roots are covered and the bottom leaves are level with the top of the soil. But also, make sure that you leave at least 1 to 1 1/2 inch space between the rim of the pot and the top of the soil.

Four: Strawberries like it warm so give them daily doses of sunlight, making sure that you turn the plant around on a regular basis to expose all sides evenly.

Five: Avoid overwatering your strawberry plants. Water only when the top ½ inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.

Six: Feed your strawberries regularly with organic fertilizer to encourage them to bloom. Organic fertilizers that are high in phosphorus are your best bet because they aid plants in flowering and seeding.

Seven: Strawberry plants may produce fruits during the first year, but don’t expect too much. For the ever-bearing varieties, you can suppress flowering (by removing the buds) during the first season to ensure more fruits on the next year. They are sure to yield a good harvest during the second year. Wait until spring before your strawberries ripen.

Eight: When picking strawberries, pick only the ones that are already bright red in color with no green patched left.

Nine: Like you, some pests will not be able to resist the sweetness of your strawberry fruits. Slugs and ants are most likely to pester on plants that are placed at ground level. You can hang your potted plants to prevent these pests but make sure that the hooks are sprayed with ant-sprays. Birds, raccoons and other bigger animals can be attracted to the bright red berries too, so install a barrier or cover your plants with netting to stop them from enjoying your strawberries before you do.

Follow these organic container gardening tips and you’ll enjoy a sweet harvest of fresh, plump and red strawberries every year.

Nova Person is an organic gardener who’s been growing different types of plants including fruits, flowers and vegetables in her home garden. She especially loves Organic Container Gardening and shares her tips on her site at http://theorganicgardeningsecrets.com

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Article from articlesbase.com

Tomatos from my organic container garden in Rosedale Austin shown by Perry Henderson www.perryhenderson.com anAustin REALTOR at Prudential Texas Realty. When you select your Rosedale Austin REALTOR, the right REALTOR, like Perry Henderson and the Live Well Team, we’re here to help and never to busy for you or your referrals. Feel free to email us a question, request a new video showing or call now 512.791.7462
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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - September 3, 2010 at 2:52 am

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Sender Block Raised Bed Container Garden on Jimbo Jitsu’s Farm House Show

An easy example of how to grow delicious organic food in a small space without dirt. Using Black Gold All Organic Potting soil we grew Broccoli and Strawberries in this sender block bed.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

There are many advantages to container gardening, especially for those that have limited space for plants. Find out how to plant flowers in various containers, such as plastic, clay or wood, with this free video on gardening from the owner of a landscaping company. Expert: Bill Elzey Contact: www.showplacelawns.com Bio: Bill Elzey is the owner and manager of Showplace Lawns in Austin, Texas. Filmmaker: Todd Green
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1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - September 1, 2010 at 7:43 pm

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Tinkering Through the Tulips: Container Gardening Can Beautify Any Space

vegetable container gardening
by moderntime

Tinkering Through the Tulips: Container Gardening Can Beautify Any Space

When you think about gardens, what comes to mind? Lush, green lawns? Vibrant flowerbeds bursting with a kaleidoscope of color? Or maybe exotic plants for as far as the eye can see? Once upon a time, those things were some of the only characteristics of a garden. To have a garden, you had to have land to spare. But not anymore. These days, even if you live in an apartment you can have a garden. Container gardening lets you enjoy all the benefits without needing the space.


Whether you choose to grow flowers, herbs or vegetables, you can be successful at container gardening. If you follow these tips, you’ll be enjoying all the benefits of a garden in no time, no matter where you live.


Tip 1: Not just any container will do


Experienced green thumbs will tell you that a garden can be grown in any container. Although that may be technically true, some containers will offer more chances for success, particularly if your thumb is of another shade. Inexpensive plastic may be a natural go-to for those who don’t want to break the budget on their gardens, but those containers can deteriorate easily in the sun, and they are not built to last. However, if you are looking for something temporary and lightweight, this can be good option. Terracotta pots are more durable but will require you to water the plants in them more frequently, as terracotta dries out much more easily than other materials.


You may want to get creative and use something unconventional, like a teapot, to plant a small container garden. This is a great idea, as long as you remember to ensure it has a drainage hole in the bottom. If your chosen container doesn’t already have a hole in it, you can always drill one.


Tip 2: Cleanliness is next to godliness


Before you get up to your elbows in potting soil, it’s important to sterilize the container in which you will plant your garden. This is particularly important if you have purchased second-hand planting containers; the plants that grew there previously may have had a disease that can affect your plants, too. All you need is an environmentally sound, all-purpose cleaner; just rinse and pat dry before planting.


Tip 3: Plan, then plant


Much like traditional gardening, the placement of container gardens will depend on what you plant. Do your research! Some plants will require full sun, others partial shade, and still more might flourish in just about any conditions. The good news is this: unlike traditional gardening, if you find that your container garden isn’t flourishing in the chosen spot, you can pick it up and move it!


Knowing this ahead of time can do more than help you determine where you will place each container. You also can roadmap where you will place each plant within each container. For example, you wouldn’t want to plant tall-growing plants around the edge of a container with shorter ones in the middle. Similarly, plants that trail over the side of the container should be planted, obviously, on the perimeter of the container.


Tip 4: When in doubt, fertilize!


Plants love to be healthy. If you want to get full and beautiful flowers out of your container garden, it’s imperative that you keep up the soil’s nutrient levels. To do that, you’ll need to fertilize – a lot. It wouldn’t hurt to fertilize every time you water. If you are growing vegetables, manure tea is an effective fertilizer, even though it doesn’t sound very appealing. Manure tea is essentially water extracted from manure, with soluble nutrients. It increases the organic content of the soil, which, in turn, improves drainage and helps the soil hold on to the nutrients.


Tip 5: You can lead a plant to water


Container plants need to be watered more often than a standard garden, particularly during extreme heat and dryness. Watering container plants is a daily affair. Keep adding water until you see some spill out through the drainage holes in the pot. Then stop! Go any further and you’ll be in soggy soil territory. If you aren’t the type to dedicate some time each day to watering, consider getting a self-watering device. These contraptions have a reservoir at the bottom that keeps your plants hydrated for a few days at a time.


Container gardening can afford you the chance to have a beautiful garden without a lot of space. And your thumb can be a little less than green. With a little bit of time and planning, container gardening could be just the form of expression your thumbs having been craving – no matter what color they may be.

James Mitchell has created several online resources dealing with Container Gardening and other related topics, as well as publishing articles on numerous subjects.


Article from articlesbase.com

Find More Vegetable Container Gardening Articles

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - at 10:54 am

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Q&A: I want to grow organic potatoes in a container garden?

Question by Hope C: I want to grow organic potatoes in a container garden?
All of the books I have read, say that you MUST use certified seed potatoes. Is there any reason I shouldn’t seed out some of the organic fingerling potatoes I already have? I can understand not using regular storebought potatoes, but shouldn’t organic be okay? Same question about sweet potatoes. Any tips or advice will be appreciated!

Best answer:

Answer by elcamino man
I would plant yours and the store bought, then what ever works best do that next year.

Add your own answer in the comments!

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2 comments - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - at 2:52 am

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My son(5 years old)and I would love to start a home container tomato and cucumber garden.?

Question by mama: My son(5 years old)and I would love to start a home container tomato and cucumber garden.?
BUT we have No clue how to get it going?????
please answer if you really know how to get a container garden going from the very basics. Thank you for your time.
Also, we would like to use all organic materials.

Best answer:

Answer by robert C
good on you both, use a bag of potting mix , slit the middle and plant what ever plants you have,use stakes if you have to , min 6 hrs sun is needed, when finished you can use the mix by putting into pots for growing flowers, have fun , tou will learn from the experience.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - August 31, 2010 at 7:40 am

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Cool Vegetable Container Gardening images

Check out these vegetable container gardening images:

Sex in the Garden
vegetable container gardening

Image by josiejose
I turn my back for one week and all of a sudden my veggies are showing their exhibitionist selves. Flowers on full display, pollen in the air, bees hovering around… Seriously, they are completely out of control.
My squash-of-unknown-origin is a flagrant exibitionist, my tomato plant’s reproductive organs are showing for the first time, meanwhile my bell peppers are obliviously humming along with gorgeous deep-green leaves and no hint yet of their impending de-flowering (ahem – so to speak).

Sex in the Garden
vegetable container gardening

Image by josiejose
I turn my back for one week and all of a sudden my veggies are showing their exhibitionist selves. Flowers on full display, pollen in the air, bees hovering around… Seriously, they are completely out of control.
My squash-of-unknown-origin is a flagrant exibitionist, my tomato plant’s reproductive organs are showing for the first time, meanwhile my bell peppers are obliviously humming along with gorgeous deep-green leaves and no hint yet of their impending de-flowering (ahem – so to speak).

Sex in the Garden
vegetable container gardening

Image by josiejose
I turn my back for one week and all of a sudden my veggies are showing their exhibitionist selves. Flowers on full display, pollen in the air, bees hovering around… Seriously, they are completely out of control.
My squash-of-unknown-origin is a flagrant exibitionist, my tomato plant’s reproductive organs are showing for the first time, meanwhile my bell peppers are obliviously humming along with gorgeous deep-green leaves and no hint yet of their impending de-flowering (ahem – so to speak).


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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - August 29, 2010 at 7:40 am

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Organic Container Gardening For Herbs

organic container gardening
by meganpru

Organic Container Gardening For Herbs

Organic growing is primarily intended to help produce herbs for the food table, as a healthy and pure ingredient. Herbs which are mostly grown for aroma and find use in making pot-pourri do not have to be organically grown. Therefore when growing organic herbs in containers, the choice is between medicinal or savory plants. The latter is grown as a kitchen culinary item.

The choice of the plant can be from among the popular ones such as mint, thyme, basil or oregano. Growing herbs in containers is ideal for those with small garden spaces, as a row of potted plants either in the garden or on your window sill can present a very charming picture. The fantastic smells that these plants give off can make your gardening efforts worthwhile.

The method of cultivation depends on what herb is grown. A combination of sunshine and slightly lean soil that appears to increase the oils, which give off those wonderful flavors and fragrances. Ideally the plants need to be well watered with pots that have a good drainage system. For this use pots with drainage holes at the bottom on a tray to ensure water does not spill out.

Organic container gardening requires that plants get at least six hours of sunshine everyday. A sunny spot should therefore be chosen before planting them. Ensure that the pots are organically manured. Space the plants out to allow them to grow freely. Keep the plants tidy and send out new growth by pinching and using them regularly.

Clint Sidney is an expert of organic gardening and enjoys sharing information about Organic Container Gardening. You can learn more about gardening at GreatGardener.eHelpshome.com. Have fun and enjoy reading!


Article from articlesbase.com


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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - August 28, 2010 at 7:40 pm

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Tips for Veggie container gardens?

container gardens
by narniabound

Question by versweet: Tips for Veggie container gardens?
I live in Virginia and have tried to have container gardens for three years now with no luck. At best I get a couple of items from the plants before they die if they fruit at all. I have a townhouse, so no real yard. My containers end up on my patio which faces Northwest and mostly gets afternoon/evening light. I’m beginning to wonder if I don’t just have a black thumb when it comes to plants (though, I do have a couple of very nice houseplants). I am trying to grow them from seedling, but I would like to know what might be good and any tips for helping them stay alive/fruit/etc. 8)

Best answer:

Answer by chuck s
the fact that you try to grow stuff, means you have a green thumb, try grow light for indoor stuff, unfortinatly we cant adjust the angle of the sun, i have the same prob , too much shade good luck o

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4 comments - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - at 10:53 am

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Tomato Container Gardens

container gardens
by jennconspiracy

Tomato Container Gardens

Tomato container gardens are an alternative to a traditional tomato garden. Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables, well in this case fruits, of people around the world. They can be used in so many ways, in a salad or to make a sauce for pasta and a myriad of other ways in your culinary pursuits. Sadly in some places tomatoes are being priced at three dollars per pound or more. Fortunately, everyone can grow their own tomatoes, even people that live in apartments. The answer is to grow a tomato container garden. You can grow them on a patio or balcony or in a bright sunny room in your home.

The number one essential is sun. Tomatoes require a lot of light and will not thrive without out it. The materials you will need to gather for your tomato container garden are simple. You will need containers that are about five gallons in size. Only plant one tomato plant per pot. You will need soil, tomato seedlings and stakes or a wire cage to hold the plant upright. String, or products called twist-tie or sturdy-tie will be needed to tie the plant to the stakes or cages. You will need a plastic tray for drainage; good drainage is essential to the health of your tomato container garden. Last need on the list is fertilizer.

There are some species of tomatoes that will do better in your tomato container garden. The bush varieties of tomatoes work well in containers and are popular with container gardeners. Cherry tomatoes and Christmas Grape tomatoes work well also because of their size and many gardeners grow them when space is limited. Other varieties that will flourish in a tomato container garden are Celebrity, Early Girl, and Sweet 100′s. It really depends on which variety you want to grow and for what purposes. If you will be growing them mainly for salads the cherry varieties are the way to go.

As mentioned before, sunlight is a requirement in order to grow your tomato container garden. Scout out the area you are planning to use for your tomatoes. The spot for your tomato container garden must get at least four to six hours of sunlight. The more light the better since the sun promotes healthy, steady growth. The two most important elements for success in tomato container gardening is sunlight and water.

By growing your own tomato container garden you will know that there were no pesticides used on your plants. With all the controversy going on about pesticides knowing that yours is pesticide free is an advantage for you and your family. Here is a good natural pest deterrent:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

 

Other pluses to this type of garden is you no longer will be paying high prices for tomatoes, your containers won’t take up much space and one plant usually yields enough tomatoes to feed your family. The cost of a tomato container garden is minimal and the feeling of accomplishment is great. So why are you waiting to plant your tomatoes? It’s time to choose the variety of tomato you want to grow, pick up some containers and start your tomato container gardens today.

Happy Container Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.


Article from articlesbase.com


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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - August 27, 2010 at 7:01 pm

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My Container Gardens!

Some cool garden container images:

My Container Gardens!
garden container

Image by Shaw Girl


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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Container Gardening Administrator - August 26, 2010 at 6:52 pm

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