Waterloo Region Record
If you’ve had bad luck with your regular garden, have limited time or space, or are just new to gardening, container gardening may be right for you. All you need is a container, good potting soil, water and seeds or plants. You’ll be sporting a green thumb before you know it.
You can use almost anything for a container, as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom and will last one growing season. Search your house, basement, neighbourhood garage sale or plant centre for an old wood bucket, vintage watering can or traditional clay pot. Be as creative as you like. Remember that size matters when selecting a vessel. Larger containers hold more soil and water and will not dry out as quickly as smaller planters. To improve water retention in your soil, consider using vermiculite or other water-absorbing polymers.
Use a high quality potting soil to ensure your plants growth. These professionally blended soils contain starter nutrients, are pH balanced, and provide excellent drainage and aeration. As for the plants to use, the possibilities are endless. For example, try mixing tall grasses with colourful flowers and trailing vines. A successful container gardener is always willing to experiment. Remember to choose plants that are compatible in terms of water and sunlight requirements. For design ideas, search through magazines, go online or visit a garden centre.
Container gardening suits any personality. It can be as simple as a few pansies in a pot or as elaborate as landscaping an entire area in your backyard. Even sections limited by space, like balconies, patios and front stoops or areas limited by sun can be enhanced by these beautiful creations.
In Kitchener, Pioneer Park Home Hardware’s seasonal garden centre offers a wide selection of plants, supplies and expert advice to best prepare you for the growing season. For more information, visit www.homehardware.ca
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