1. Brighten up a corner by putting a small clipped box bush in a wide clay pan and surround it with enough thyme plants to form a mat.


2. Dress up the corner of your house by placing a planted trough on each face of the wall so they touch at the corner and appear to wrap round it.


3. To create an attractive area on plain concrete, surround terracotta pots of plants with big pebbles. The pebbles will help to retain moisture to make a humid atmosphere for the plants.


4. Dress up your drainpipes with clip-on pot holders and pots of your favourite trailing plants.


5. Brighten up a dull corner by painting your flowerpots. Use an undercoat of primer before emulsion in the colour of your choice. Experiment with stripes or zigzags, using masking tape to get the edges straight; or use a stencil for patterns.


6. Instead of going to the trouble and expense of rooting out old tree stumps, hollow out the centres, drill some drain holes, and use them as planters.


7. Take standard marguerite plants into a cool greenhouse for the winter to protect them from the frost. Keep the compost barely moist and repot them in the spring before putting them outside again.


8. Make sure you buy frost-proof terracotta pots. If they don’t have a label which says they are frost-proof, and they come from southern Europe, they will be vulnerable to shattering in freezing weather.


9. Try an all-white window-box with begonias, pelargoniums, marguerites and white lobelia.


10. Break up polyurethane packing into small lumps and use as drainage material in pots instead of crocks or stones.


11. For a winter display, plant up tubs or window-boxes with variegated ivy, dwarf conifers, heather, spotted laurel, and bulbs such as aconite or snowdrop, or winter-flowering pansies.


12. For spring displays, plant containers in the autumn with bulbs and early-flowering biennials such as wallflowers.


13. Plant perennials directly into the compost, leaving space to insert annual plants still in their pots. Clay pots are best as they will let the plants draw moisture from the surrounding compost as well as what is in their pot.


14. Incorporate slow-release fertilisers in your container compost and forget the worry of regular feeding.


15. Water copiously every day in the spring and summer, even if it has rained. In hot weather be prepared to water twice a day, especially hanging baskets.


16. Arrange containers on your patio with as much care as you arrange the planting in the rest of your garden or they will look stilted and unsatisfactory.


17. Choose small containers rather than large ones which will be too heavy to move easily once they are full of damp compost.


18. Deadhead flowers every day to keep the display going all season.


19. Anchor window-boxes to the window-frame with wire or chain, or fit front brackets to prevent them falling.


20. Make your own window-boxes from ordinary planed wood, held together with brass screws. Paint it or treat it with timber preservative but not creosote which is poisonous to plants.


21. For a continuous display in containers, fill the container with gravel and plunge potted plants into it. This makes it easier to replace tired plants without disrupting the whole container.


22. Half-barrels make attractive tubs, but make sure that the metal hoops are held in place securely or the whole tub could fall apart.


23. Hang a pair of old leather shoes or boots up against a wall to use as unusual planters.


24. When your old wheelbarrow has become too battered to use, paint the outside and use it as an attractive container or a display stand for potted plants.


25. Add height to a group of plants in pots by inverting an empty pot and standing a filled pot on top. Alternatively, use piles of bricks to stand the pots at different heights. Either arrangement looks good on a patio or the edge of the drive.


26. Try growing hostas in hanging baskets or wall-mounted troughs. This solves the slug problem, and looks very effective, especially if the colour of the hosta complements the colour of the wall, for instance a blue-leaved hosta against yellow brick.


27. For a trouble-free patio display, try a group of dwarf and prostrate conifers, with tall shapes in tall pots and prostrate shapes in low, wide pots.


28. Use containers for all those instrusive rooted plants such as variegated ground elder (Aegopodium podogaria ‘Variegata) that you would love to grow but don’t trust not to take over the whole garden.

By the way, if you want to know lots more about Container Gardening check out http://www.houseplantsguru.com/category/basics/containers-basics for some more tips.

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The art of gardening involves many elements, including basic architectural design. People who tend their gardens at home possess that eye for aesthetics that allow them to create simple yet sophisticated gardening styles. However, there are frequent innovations and changes occurring in the gardening industry. Therefore, it is important for people to be abreast with the latest technology and updates.

Gardening containers are examples of garden elements that constantly change. There are various types of plant pots and containers people can choose from. It may be baffling for some to know which type would best serve a specific need or which of the container garden design ideas would be best for the plant. The following lists the various classifications of garden containers that one may use.

Plastic Pots

This type of gardening container is slowly emerging as a popular choice of consumers. Manufacturers create a variety of shapes and sizes from different types of plastic. Better quality plastic such as polypropylene is used to create sturdier types of plastic pots to hold larger ornamental plants.

A variation of plastic plots includes the “self-sufficient” models. One of the interesting container gardens ideas includes the self-watering pots that have an embedded reservoir at the bottom. This unique design requires people less time to water their plants every day. People who travel a lot on weekends will find this very beneficial.

Stone Containers

One of the earliest pots utilized by gardeners are the stone containers. Some of these old pots are 100% stone and possess a surreal and ornamental feel. However, such containers are very expensive and heavy.

Fortunately, gardening manufacturers found a way to reconstruct stone containers that are affordable and available in many shapes and sizes. The plots complement whatever is planted in them, whether it is placed in a garden or patio. These highlight the natural beauty of anything planted in them.

Specialized Containers

Apart from the earlier mentioned, there are also gardening containers manufactured for specific uses. An example of this is the strawberry planter that allows many strawberry plants to grow in a limited space. Sometimes, strawberry planters are also used for cultivating herbs. Moreover, this type of specialized pot is commonly made of clay. They are also available in plastic of many designs and colors.

Modern Pots

More contemporary plot designs are emerging as of this writing. Some look very clever in the form of wheeled pots, while others are plain tacky. Frequently, these contemporary designs are often used to hold plastic or clay pots rather than being the container themselves. Some gardeners note this as one of the interesting flower garden design ideas that will look perfect in their own yard.

For more details, container garden design ideas in Google for related information.

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Now that fall weather is finally here, we’re getting in one of our last harvests of tomatoes and peppers. We also check in on our carrots and say goodbye to our eggplants. This is our second year attempting to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs in containers on our patio in the city. Each week we update with what’s new, good or bad, in our patio garden. This year we are growing: Basil, Cherry Tomatoes, Cilantro, Dill, Green Onions, Eggplants, Habanero Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Oregano, Lettuce, Spinach, Strawberries and a random heirloom tomato plant given to us as a gift Theme music by DoKashiteru – bit.ly

Those who are confined to city living do not always have access to a yard wherein they can plant a garden. Therefore, a patio garden becomes their next best option in order to be able to enjoy freshly picked vegetables and herbs during the summer months. However, as good as a patio garden may be, there are some disadvantages of having one.

Limited Amount Of Space

One of the biggest problems with having a patio garden is the fact that there really is not too much room in most cases. The patio is designed for a small patio table and chairs and a barbecue, and not much else. Therefore, space is generally limited, especially when growing larger vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. As a result, a patio garden might not always be suitable for growing the bigger vegetables.

Requires Numerous Pots

Another disadvantage of having a patio garden is that you need a number of pots. First you need small containers in which to start the seeds, and then a lot of plants need to be transplanted into a larger pot. It might not seem like a lot of pots at first, but then, when the summer is over, you now have to find a place to store them. This can be difficult, especially if you live in a small apartment where space is limited.

Needs Frequent Watering

Plants that are grown within a pot also require frequent watering. This is because the root systems are contained within a pot, and do not have access to a constant supply of water. Therefore they need to be watered more frequently than anything that is allowed to grow freely in the garden, especially on hot summer days.

Not Enough Sun

Depending on which side of the house the patio is located, the plants might not get enough sunlight to prosper and yield a good crop. A south-facing patio is best, as it will receive the maximum amount of sunlight, but other patios might not be able to provide enough natural light. Another thing to consider is that the plants are located closer to the building, which also takes away from the sunlight.

Despite the disadvantage of a patio garden, there are also benefits that can make the time and efforts pay off quite well. Those include fresh produce that does not contain any pesticides. Also, you will have access to the produce when you need it.

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From teacups to oil drums, there is nothing you can’t use as an outdoor plant container. Your choice of plants, your decorative style, your budget, and your creative imagination will all influence your plant container choices. However, there are several things to consider before you start adding plants to your outdoor pots.

Very small containers will dry out quickly, and they offer limited growing room, so that teacup is probably not a wise choice. Very slow growing plants, such as sedums or cactus, will grow well in a restricted environment. However, keep water needs in mind. Some succulents do need a fair amount of moisture.

Be certain that any container you choose has good drainage. With the exception of pond plants, decorative plants do not like to have their feet constantly wet. If you are concerned that your potting mix will be drained out along with excess water, cover the holes with a single layer of newspaper or a coffee filter before adding your planting soil.

Clay or Terra Cotta Planters

Available in just about any size and shape, clay plant containers are traditional garden standbys. Their look is especially attractive in warm and sunny southern or Mediterranean garden designs.

Unglazed clay pots are porous, which means that water in the soil will evaporate through the sides of the container. They will have to be watered more frequently than less porous containers. Painted or glazed clay pots will retain more moisture through a hot day.

These pots are heavy for their size. If you are planting a large pot, moving it will be difficult. If you anticipate having to move a large terra cotta pot, place it on a decorative wheeled dolly before filling it with your planting mixture. This way you will be able to move it even when the soil within is moist and heavy.

If you line these containers with plastic before planting you can reduce water loss through the sides. The easiest thing to use is a plastic bag large enough to touch the sides of the pot all around. Remember to punch drainage holes in the bottom. When you add your planting mix, hide the sides of the bag by pushing them down into the mix before you plant.

Because all clay pots are porous, they do not do well outside during cold winters. Moisture in the pot will expand if it freezes, often cracking the pot. Cement and other stone containers will also often crack in freezing temperatures for the same reason. Consider whether you will be able to bring your pots into warmer shelter during the winter. If this will not be possible, and you want to keep your plantings, choose another kind of container.

Wooden Plant Containers

Whiskey barrels and other wooden patio containers are popular. Because wood will eventually deteriorate when exposed to water and sunlight, lining wooden plant containers with heavy plastic will extend their life and reduce water stains on the outside.

Cedar, redwood and teak are naturally resistant to water decay. Containers made of treated wood or lumber will usually last quite a bit longer than untreated wood. However, some chemicals used to treat wood are not suitable for edible plants, and may pose a health risk. Always check the materials used to treat any wooden planter for safety.

Metal Pots, Tubs and Wagons

So long as there is drainage at the bottom you can use any metal container to hold garden plants. Be aware that any large metal container will be heavy, so place it where you want it to remain unless it has wheels.

Plastic and Resin Containers

Plastic plant containers are the most lightweight and often the most inexpensive containers for the garden. Of course, this is why your plant nursery uses plain plastic pots.

You can find resin containers that mimic the look of cement or glazed pottery. These pots are handy if you don’t want to worry about freezing and cracking or excess weight. Most are quite handsome, as well.

Plastic and resin pots are not porous, so they will not lose moisture as quickly as unglazed pottery. Because they don’t lose moisture, it is especially important to be sure that they have sufficient drainage at the bottom so that plant roots do not become waterlogged. Many resin containers have holes that must be opened by the end user. Be sure that you do this before you begin planting.

Thin plastic pots will have a short lifespan, as they will eventually crack in the sun. However, because they are inexpensive, they will be less costly to replace every few years.

Color Makes a Difference

Dark plant containers will absorb summer heat. If the roots of your plants get too hot they will be damaged or even killed. In hot climates choose lighter colored containers to reduce heat buildup.

Avoid Outdoor Pot Saucers

Many planting containers come with saucers to hold water outflow. Avoid saucers under your outdoor plants as these are great places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Your plants may wick up a little extra water between waterings, although this is not always the case. However, your yard and patio will be overrun with mosquitoes.

Whatever container you choose as a planter, the three main things to remember are: 1) choose the correct size for your plants. A too-small container will not have growing room, and a too-large container will overwhelm and dwarf your plants; 2) make sure your container drains well; 3) monitor soil moisture regularly and maintain the kind of moisture that your plants require. Don’t plant a cactus and a rose in the same container – their water needs are vastly different.

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Visit us at byf.unl.edu! UNL Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Kim Todd talks about creative combinations for fall containers. Produced by Backyard Farmer, Nebraska’s premier gardening program

Whether you have a massive deck or patio, or a small space for outdoor entertaining, you can create a stunning outdoor garden. With container gardening, any patio or deck can be transformed into a beautiful oasis for entertaining or simply relaxing. The use of pots, planters, and an array of containers make a huge difference in a small space. And containers are much easier to manage and replace than traditional gardens.

First, it’s important to choose containers that fit in well with your environment and that provide a healthy home for plants. It’s best to invest a little more money in quality containers rather than purchasing plastic or terracotta. Good quality containers will last for many years to come and they’ll come to life many times again as you add new plants. They give your outdoor space a feeling of warmth and add depth to the area.

Containers with wide openings to display plants are a good choice. They display well and are easy to manage when watering, pruning, and caring for your plants. Sunlight can cause damage to plastic quickly and discoloration and fading makes them less appealing. Terracotta pots are more difficult to manage in sunlight because they dry out easily and plants can become dry.

Great choices for patios or decks are glazed ceramic pots in different colors. Glazed ceramic pots are not only good for water retention and planting, but they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Just make sure they have drainage holes to avoid water becoming trapped in the soil and plants becoming over-watered and drowning.

If you opt for wooden containers to enhance your deck or patio, try redwood which is resistant to rot and they age well with weathering. Choosing wooden containers in a variety of shapes such as square, oblong, and round, adds a lot more variety to your home improvement project. Keep in mind that the larger the pot, the less likely it is to dry out and leave plants dry and brittle.

For container gardening to add to the value of your home and contribute to overall home improvement, it’s important to keep plants watered. If your deck or patio gets lots of sunlight, you’ll need to water more often. If the weather is humid, plants will need even more water. You can position them around the edge of your patio or deck so a sprinkler system contributes to the water they receive.

When considering a container garden to improve the exterior of your home, think about including pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatiens, periwinkle, or snapdragons. You can also consider alyssum, marigolds, and zinnias for more color. Seasonal ferns and other green plants add depth and beauty to your garden as well. But don’t assume that flowering plants are your only choice. Consider plants such as cherry tomatoes, blueberry bushes, and tiered strawberry plants depending on your geographic region.

Improving your deck or patio can be simple and inexpensive. Container gardening is one way to instantly create a beautiful and welcoming outdoor space without a lot of time or money. You’re just a step away from having an outdoor space you can enjoy for many years to come.

I have several tips and ideas on home improvement that I’m more than willing to share with you. They cover indoor and outdoor knowledge. For more information on home improvement tips and resources you can go here: http://homemoneydigest.com/ebook.html Your always welcome to visit my home site also at: http://homemoneydigest.com

Thank You and enjoy.

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A lot of people are turning to patio or balcony gardening for a number of reasons. Some are moving out of their large homes in the country to a smaller house with a small yard due to the failing economy and the rise in living costs. The great thing is you don’t have to give up gardening just because you don’t have ample soil space.

There are a lot of options to patio gardening available to anyone that wants to give it a try. You can go with pots, half barrels, window boxes, wood planters, metal ones the list is almost endless on things you can use. The next question you need to answer is what you plan on doing with your patio space.

Are you wanting to grow veggies, herbs, entertain friends and relatives, meditate, make a place of peace, healing, a commemorative garden the list is never-ending. Deciding what you want out of your patio garden will help you better understand what it is you need to do to and what type of planters you will need.

Soil plays a big role in how well your plants will do. I find that using an organic soil that has no chemicals added is best for any type of planting especially if you’re going to grow veggies. Also using natural material for your planters like wood, clay, stone, or cast-iron works the best. Just remember not use pots so big that you’ll damage your deck because of the weight that comes with soil being wet.

Boxes made of lighter weight materials like fibreglass are perfect for roof or balcony gardens. You will also want to have something under your pots to collect excess water so it doesn’t run down on top of your neighbours below. You also want to water on a daily basis with a diluted solution of fertilizer. It is much better to use diluted fertilizer often than trying to do a big application occasionally.

This is more important in container gardening than it is in the ground, because of the small area your plants have for their roots. Using organic fertilizers like blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion with added seaweed for the trace elements is your best bet for veggies as well as ornamental plants.

Outdoor container gardens are an extension of your home and will make your deck or balcony stand out. They add a real nice feel to an already awesome deck, but you can really improve the look of your container garden by adding some lighting to accentuate the best parts of it and create an oasis of relaxation and fun for any occasion.

To get more information on outdoor deck lighting to enhance your container garden come and visit my site. We have solar garden lighting as well as other unique lighting displays for you to find out about.

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Master Urban Gardener, William Moss of CBS This Morning, shows you how to plant a container. Visit www.urbansustainableliving.com and www.wemoss.org for more information.

If you really love flowers and plants, but don’t have a lot of knowledge on this subject, container gardening may be a good place to start. For a change of scenery to brighten up a room or small patio, but with a limited budget, container gardening could be the perfect solution for you. Containers can be arranged in groups or a single plant used in any area of the house, patio or yard.

When buying the flowers, choose different kinds of flowers. Check out colors, shapes and sizes to see how they go together before you buy them. Then look at containers. They will be a vital part of your decorating scheme, so that the flowers and containers go together to form a colorful and bright scene. You might want to start looking for containers first. Go to garden centers and nurseries as they usually carry a large supply of both. You might even stumble onto the perfect item at a junk store or flea market at bargain prices. If you are in a hurry and want an instant garden without all the fuss and labor of growing flowers from seeds, then watch ads for sales on mature plants at garden centers or discount stores that can just be transplanted into your special containers. Carefully follow instructions for transplanting. If there are no instructions in the pots, you might want to invest in a manual for helpful hints and suggestions.

Watering plants is the most important duty you have to perform every day. Pots outside need extra care because they are exposed to sun, hot dry air and blowing winds. Check the soil in these plants twice a day and especially during long hot dry spells. Watering in the evening is the best time to prevent moisture evaporation. Plants inside the home are not at so high of a risk, but they need watching too. Both outside and inside plants need to be placed in areas where they will thrive. Do they need full sun or shade or do they do best in areas of partial sun and shade? This is especially important during the time of day of greatest heat.

Remember, all living things need feeding to live and be healthy. After you have had the flowers for a few weeks, they will need to be fertilized. There are many excellent products to choose from on the market. You can ask for assistance to pick the one that works best for you. There are liquid plant foods, slow-release granules or slow-release pellets. Some of the granules and pellets will feed plants for several months at a time. Make sure the soil is kept damp or the nutrients will not be released. Give your plants what they need when they need it and they will do great.

Protect your investments from pests and invaders. There are many products available to protect and guard your plants. These include spray and dusting powder insecticides. By spraying or dusting directly on plants, it can be absorbed in the leaves and root system and kill insects for an extended period of time.

Now, look at what you have put together and arrange everything to create beautiful, bright and restful areas both inside and outside of your home. After a time, if you see something that does not appeal to you, change it! Container gardens make this an extremely easy task to accomplish.

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