Container Gardening on Patios and Balconies

Lack of space can bar a lot of people from starting a garden, especially those living in apartments or condos but it doesn't have to, anyone can make a simple and beautiful garden on a small patio or balcony.

Multiple containers can transform a space and provide great privacy but even a single potted plant or two can be a welcome addition for smaller spaces and the fragrance and color of container gardens are a fantastic addition to any nook or cranny.

Container gardening actually has a number of advantages and obviously.may be the only option for many people. They can fit just about anywhere and even a windowsill can provide enough space for a small herb garden. Weeds, pests and disease are much easier to stave off. Plants in container can be brought in to avoid freezing or even just to brighten up your interior. Pots of flowers make a fantastic touch for indoor decorating and while they typically don't get enough sunlight indoors, with a container garden you can easily rotate them inside for a few days.

You have to chose appropriate plants for container gardening, some species will not do well in pots. Almost all vegetables and flowers grow well in containers and apartment owners may be surprised to learn they can grow their own fresh herbs or vegetables in a very small space.

If you like chili peppers a couple of potted plants will provide you with a constant supply. If you are a connoisseur you can grow a wide variety even in a very limited space.

Larger plants like corn or fruit trees are obviously not an option for an apartment balcony although if you live in an apartment and desperately want a fruit tree you can look in the dwarf trees

Take advantage of the ease of container gardening and replace flowers that have finished blooming for example replace your spring bulbs with summer blooming annuals, which are then replace with chrysanthemums in the fall and evergreens over the winter. With a little planning you can have a lovely container garden year-round.

You should pick up some potting soil and if you get soil with time released fertilizer, be sure not to give the plant any additional food. It is much easier to kill a plant by over fertilizing than under fertilizing.

The other big mistake beginning gardeners will make is over watering, which is actually far more common than under watering. Unless your plants are in direct sun on very hot days, you should only have to water once or twice a week. The best way to learn how often to water your plants is to pick the pot up before you water, feel how heavy it is, and then pick the pot up again after you water. You will notice a substantial increase in weight. Now you shouldn't water again until the container is as light as it was to begin with.

As long as you avoid these two common mistakes, your container garden should thrive.