by Kathy Trower

Created on: January 21, 2012   Last Updated: January 24, 2012

Container gardening is ideal for gardeners who do not have a plot of land.  These containers can be strategically placed in great locations, even for those who have the yard space.  They add dimension to porches and other places that plants do not ordinarily survive.

There are some basics to having a successful container garden. The first requirement is to have a pot and soil, suitable to the plant.

Better Homes and Gardens offer these suggestions on that subject. The pot should have a hole or two in the bottom, so the excess water can drain from the plant.  If you find a pot, that does not have holes, be sure and make some holes in the bottom. If it is a ceramic pot, use another plastic pot with holes inside it. 

After the holes are drilled, put coffee filters around the pot. This keeps the soil from washing away with the excess water.  If you cannot put these filters around the bottom of the pot, make sure that the plant sits in a bed of rocks for moisture.  It is suggested that the best pots used for container gardening are made of clay.

Potting soil is important in a container garden.  According to experts  in container gardening, a good soil mix is essential.   Rita Buchanan, a Connecticut garden writer, claims that one of the most common mistakes container gardeners make is using soil from their yard.  She encourages container gardeners to purchase commercial potting soil mix.

Since a container plant relies on the gardener alone for moisture, it is necessary to make sure that the plant is kept moist at all times. Sometimes rain water can be saved and used on indoor container plants. If the plants are outdoors, rain water may water them from time to time.  Essentially, the container plant relies on the gardener for care.

Sunlight or shade is another factor. Check the label of the plant to make sure that it will thrive in the proper lighting.
According to the book, "The Experts Book of Garden Hints," the label on the plant should be carefully read. This label will give instructions to the gardener whether the plant requires sun, shade, or a little of both. Container gardening makes it simple to move the plant into the proper light.

What kind of plants like container gardens?  "Step by Step Successful Gardening" published by Better Homes and Gardens  suggests marigolds, cosmos, dahlias, or celosia make ideal candidates for these gardens.  They spread out and fill a container quite nicely with their foliage and flowers.  The silver leaves of the dusty miller , begonias, or nasturtiums do well in container gardens.  Remember if you are putting several varieties together, make sure that they all require the same light. Cool weather container gardens consist of pansies, dianthus, and flowering kale.

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