Practical meets pretty: Container gardening for beauty and bounty

Container gardening is a great alternative for people who don't have the time or space for a full garden or flowerbed. Often, however, container gardeners may feel they have to choose between beauty and practicality. When you can only plant so many containers, what do you fill them with - flowers or veggies?


"Both," says container gardening guru Pamela Crawford, author of "Easy Container Combos: Vegetables and Flowers."  "It's possible to artfully combine flowers and vegetables in single, stunning, beautiful containers," she says. "Practical and pretty can go side-by-side on your patio, deck, balcony, or even interspersed in your landscape."

Author of nine gardening books, Crawford was a seasoned floral container gardener when she decided to tackle the task of figuring out a way to make vegetables look pretty in containers. "Did I ever get a surprise when the first 100 or so vegetable combos looked just awful," she says. By the end of the growing season, she had planted 1,768 vegetables, all transplants from Bonnie Plants, and arrived at some insight into how you can make a container garden both beautiful and bountiful.

Here are her top container garden tips:

1. Less is more - Keep it simple

"My first container attempts included mixing too many different vegetables in the same container. The results looked like a mish-mash," she says. Instead, think simple, like one tall vegetable in the center surrounded by a few flowers. Upright tomatoes with begonias and coleus planted along the edge are quite attractive. Or, plant one tall herb, like rosemary, and surround it with a shorter vegetable, like lettuce.

2. Use pretty pots and hardware

Even tomatoes look good in attractive pots, supported by nice obelisks or attractive trellises. Try planting one crooked-neck squash in the middle of a large, ceramic pot. Or plant a tomato in a Talavera (bright-colored geometric design) pot with an iron obelisk to support it.

3. Pick your pot pleasure

Almost anything can serve as a container for your garden - flower pots, pails, buckets, wire baskets, bushel baskets, washtubs, window planters, even large food cans. Larger veggies, like tomatoes and eggplants, will need a larger container, at least 5 gallons for each plant. "Use the largest containers you can afford, and that you have space for, especially with warm season vegetables," Crawford advises. "The plants will look better and last longer because the roots will have more room to grow."

4. Don't forget drainage and do consider color

Whatever type container you choose, remember proper drainage is vital. Your container should have holes at the base or in the bottom to permit drainage of excess water. Color is also a consideration. Dark colored containers will absorb heat that could possibly damage the plant roots. If you must use dark colored pots, try painting them a lighter color or shading the container.

5. Flowers look fabulous combined with vegetables

Interesting looking plants like squash, okra or crooked neck squash can stand alone in a pot. But others, like eggplant and spinach, look much better accented with flowers. Beans, lettuce, peppers and spinach are among the easiest veggies to start with in a container. Veggies that require little space, like carrots and radishes, or that bear over a long period of time, like tomatoes, are also great for container gardening.

Steer clear of artichokes, asparagus, corn, pumpkins and potatoes, which don't look good, are too big for a pot or require you to dismantle the whole container garden in order to harvest them.

Flowers that pair well with vegetables in containers include dragon wing or wax begonias, coleus, fountain grass, lantana, lavender, pansies and purple-heart tradescantia.

6. Stabilize with centerpieces surrounded by smaller plants

Floral container gardens usually look best with a large plant in the center and smaller plants around it. The same holds true for combo containers that mix flowers and veggies. The large plant is called the centerpiece. Great vegetable centerpieces include peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. Collard greens, cabbage, kale and mustard greens make good-looking cold-season centerpieces.

7. Don't break the bank

Warm-season vegetables do much better in large containers with at least a 16-inch diameter. Since attractive, large containers can be expensive, look for less expensive alternatives if you don't want to break the bank. Since many warm-season vegetables fall over without support, try wooden trellises painted in contrasting bright colors to help support the plants.

"I used to avoid placing vegetables in planting containers because I thought they were unattractive, but now I know better," Crawford says. "Now I will always have vegetables tucked in amongst my flowers."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Plan a Home Vegetable Garden Using the Square Foot Gardening Method

By Heather Lynds

Planning a home vegetable garden can be tricky. Gardening is a science, after all! This article discusses the steps involved in planning a Square Foot Garden, which differ in several important ways from the steps involved in planning a row-based garden.

The first step is to select the vegetables you would like to grow, considering how much space you have available in your vegetable garden. Multiply the length of your garden bed by the width to calculate the available planting squares. The "available squares" must not be less than the squares required by the vegetables you select to grow. To calculate the planting squares required by each vegetable, use the "thin to" spacing requirements on the back of the seed pack and convert as follows:

• 9 squares: "thin to" specification of 36 inches or greater; the plant is placed in the middle of a 9 square block
• 2 squares: "thin to" specification of at least 24 inches, but less than 36 inches; the plant is placed in the middle of a 2 square block
• 1 square: "thin to" specification less than 24 inches

When considering the total planting squares required, first calculate how many seeds of each vegetable you will need to plant, based on your harvest goals. For plants requiring more than one square, multiply the number of seeds by the squares required to calculate total planting squares. For plants requiring one square, determine how many seeds can be planted in the square based on the "thin to" requirement: 12 inches = 1 seed, 6 inches = 4 seeds, 4 inches = 9 seeds, 3 inches = 16 seeds. Then calculate the total number of planting squares required for these plants in order to reach your harvest goals. Add the two planting square calculations together, and this is the amount of space you will require in order to meet your harvest goals. Adjust as necessary to match the space you have available.

After selecting the vegetables to plant, the next step is to determine where to plant each vegetable in your garden. If a garden existed in the same location last year, remember to avoid planting a vegetable from the same family of vegetables in the same location in a three year cycle. Doing so will increase the risk that your garden will become infected with pests or disease. Placement of vegetables in a vegetable garden requires balancing a number of different factors:

• Water Requirements: If you have more than one bed, group vegetables together based on water requirements and assign a targeted water level to each bed.
• Plant Spacing: Plant the vegetables according to the plants per square calculations. Crowding vegetables can cause several problems, including loss of plants due to disease and lack of pollination.
• Support Requirements: Some vegetables require a trellis. In the northern hemisphere, place trellises on the north and east sides of the bed to ensure the trellises do not cast shadows on the rest of the vegetables in the garden. In the southern hemisphere, place trellises on the south and east sides. Reserve these locations for vegetables that require a trellis.
• Sunlight Requirements: Take note of the sunlight patterns in your garden. Areas that receive less sun should be reserved for plants with a Partial Sun requirement.
• Height: In the northern hemisphere, place taller plants to the north and east sides of the bed to avoid casting shadows on the rest of the vegetables in the garden. In the southern hemisphere, place taller plants on the south and east sides.
• Good / Bad Companion Relationships: Some vegetables are believed to have a positive impact on the growth or development of other plants ("good companions"), while others seem to cause harm ("bad companions"). Plant good companions close together, and keep bad companions far apart - ideally in separate beds.

The last step is to determine when to plant each seed. It can be difficult to determine exact dates, especially when seed packs use instructions like "plant in early spring". The key point here is to understand the frost sensitivity of each plant. Plant each vegetable on the appropriate date based on expected weather patterns. Planting too late is just as bad as planting too early - since some vegetables do not tolerate hot summer weather.

Planning a vegetable garden can be time consuming, but if done incorrectly, can cause your garden to suffer. Therefore, it is worth the time you put into it. For those that do not enjoy planning, consider using a garden planner application. A good garden planner will generate a garden plan for you, taking into consideration all of the requirements discussed in this article. If you prefer to create your own garden plan, there are a couple of tools that can help with your vegetable garden planning process:

• Graphing paper can be a valuable tool for planning the placement of plants. Place the graphing paper inside a plastic sheet protector and use a dry-erase marker to try different planting scenarios.
• A spreadsheet can also be used for modeling your garden layout. Each cell in the spreadsheet represents a planting square in your garden.

Heather Lynds is the founder of http://EZGarden.com, an online vegetable garden planner for the home garden. EZ Garden uses the Square Foot Gardening method. Based on your climate zone, vegetable preferences, family size, and desired servings of vegetables, the EZ Garden planner generates a garden design and planting schedule that fits your family perfectly. EZ Garden was inspired by Heather's early attempts at gardening and the trials she experienced. Her goal is to make vegetable gardening easier for everyone, especially new gardeners.

Growing Strawberries - Container Gardening

By Joanell Hutchinson

Strawberry Planters: Container Gardening For A Small Space Garden
Strawberries are one of the most beautiful and tastiest container plants. Growing strawberries in a container can be done in any number of conveniently easy ways. Your choice of strawberry plant, container, and area of placement are all important to growing a healthy and strong strawberry harvest.

However, strawberries can be susceptible to disease. Choosing a healthy plant from healthy stock is a key aspect in future growth. Some of the most common strawberry diseases include root knot from nematode activity, gray mold which can form on the fruit itself and injury due to temperature fluctuation. These should be fairly obvious when viewed and should be avoided if possible. Healthy plants and seeds will produce healthy fruit bearing plants later on.

Choose clean soil, organic fungicides, pest control and fertilizers for sustainment of healthy, organic growth. Some of these can include any neem-based product, cinnamon sprinkled throughout the soil prior to planting to control fungal growth and diseases, hay or straw mulches for temperature and moisture control and kelp for a natural layer of organic fertilizer.

Choosing correct strawberry planters is also important. Strawberries need room to grow in loose, well drained soil which will not compact. Choose a container which will provide space for plant growth and or aeration needs throughout the season. The typical strawberry container is urn-shaped with protruding ledges located on all sides. Depending upon size, 6-8 plants can comfortably fit into most standard strawberry planters.

Strawberry planters are usually made from plastic, ceramic or terracotta. Often less expensive and lighter in weight than ceramic or terracotta, plastic containers offer easy transferability between spaces during seasonal changes while affording the same amount of growth area. However, plastic does not offer the same temperature control as the terracotta or ceramic. Terracotta pots offer more stability and are preferred among those who desire a more natural look to their strawberry planting. Ceramic also offers a more stable foundation than plastic while affording good temperature control and provides for less moisture loss as the terracotta tends to be more porous. Choosing your type of container will depend upon your personal needs and tastes but all are reliable for strawberry planting.

Begin by choosing the proper plant for your region. While many varieties exist, there are three types in which they all are categorized and they are day neutral, June bearing and everbearing or ever-bearing.

June bearing provides fruit mostly during the month of June in large batches. Day neutral strawberries will bear fruit generally between June and September while the ever-bearing variety will produce twice in a year during the spring and fall seasons. Choice should depend upon the weather patterns and temperatures in your area.

Begin in early spring by filling the bottom of your container with drainage rock. As you reach each ledge, add soil, kelp fertilizer and a sprinkling of cinnamon powder. Rinse roots and apply loosely into the cavity leading the roots into the core of the pot. Layer more soil into the center of the pot and repeat these steps until all ledges are filled. At the top of the strawberry planter, add cinnamon and kelp, and apply two to three plants if desired.

Apply straw mulch to each ledge and around the center plants. Place the pot in a spot which provides 4-6 hours of sunlight a day, turning the pot every other day to ensure proper and even sunlight application.
Fertilize with kelp tea once every two weeks to ensure the soil remains fresh with nutrients and water as needed making sure all moisture is evenly dispersed to each plant. Enjoy your strawberry harvest.
For more information visit Growing Strawberries Container gardening where you will find video instructions for strawberry planting.

Click the link to Vegetable Garden Plans where you will learn about planning your vegetable garden with a link to online garden design plans that make it easy to layout your garden ahead of time saving you lots of time, energy and aggravation.

Garden Fountains - Adding Tranquility to Your Home

By Amber Liddell

When you build a home or buy one for yourself, you try your level best to add everything possible to it to make it the most beautiful home in the vicinity. You add your personal touch into everything that furnishes or decorates your home and make sure that something about your home is unique and stands out in the crowd. The most visible part of your house is your front yard and usually people decorate it with unique gardening styles by planting splendid looking elegant variety of flower plantations. The lush green grass lawn and the colorful flowers that are embedded at perfect intervals add a lot of beauty to the lawn.

Apart from this if there is something that you would want to experiment with in decorating your garden with, a certain accessory that multiplies the magnificence of your house manifold then that would be installing a garden fountain in your front yard. It just gives the perfect finishing touch to a perfectly designed outer lawn environment. Imagine returning home tired a weary from a hard day's work and the first thing that catches your eye once you enter your house gate is beautifully trickling view of diamond-like droplets of water and the ear soothing sound it makes, it just transports you to a different world altogether. Amidst the lush green of your garden the sound of the water fall made by these fountains makes you feel like you are in God's own paradise. How proud would you be to call this paradise your own?

The gush of cool breeze that crosses you by when you are by the side of your own little garden fountain and the feeling of peace and calm that instantaneously transforms your mood into a happy one is priceless. Most people spend their weekends or holidays in places that voice the sound of nature and scenic beauty. They do this in order to run away from the mechanical and tiresome life they lead, otherwise, in the places they work, throughout the week. But to think that you have all these right at your doorstep and can access this natural beauty every single day of your lives makes a lot of difference in the way you feel.

There are a huge variety of garden fountains to choose from. From stone water fountains to glass and fiberglass, from slate wall fountains to ceramic and copper fountains you name it and you got it. While decorating or remodeling your house you can choose from a variety of such water fountains depending on the color of your home surroundings. They are available in different colors and styles. From cascading water fountains to antique ceramic fountains, from rainforest flowing outdoor waterfall fountains to mirrored floor fountains and so on and so forth, you have no shortage whatsoever in choosing the ones that best suits your mood and taste. So go ahead and add that priceless touch of tranquility to your house with an elegant looking outdoor garden water fountain.

Amber Liddell is resource for the website Serenityhealth.com, your one stop shop for any type of water fountains and water fountain information. You will find many outdoor garden fountains, wall fountains, tabletop fountains and even custom fountains. Visit Serenityhealth.com or call to talk to one of our water fountain experts.

Water Fountains - Get the Best One For Your Needs

By Wyatt Fisk

Water fountains are not new creations in our societal history. They have existed for thousands of years in Ancient Rome. For a very long time, water fountains have stunned individuals with its elegance, beauty and grace. This has not changed even during the present since water fountains continue to be breathtaking and stunning. Although water fountains have such a high placed status in our history, anyone can possess one nowadays.

There are a lot of kinds of modern water fountains that can be found in today's market. Some kinds can be bought and be easily set-up on the same day. Because of the modern choices that are sold on the market, a buyer should be diligent enough to make competent research as to what type among the water fountains he is looking for. Emphasis should be placed as to the size of the fountain, where it will be installed and what particular design is being sought after.

A good type of fountain for interior spaces are indoor wall fountains. They are very revered because indoor wall fountains are very much one of a kind in their function and design. Indoor wall fountains are definitely decorations which are eye popping because you do not see them everyday. Indoor wall fountains can be bought for the purpose of enhancing the scenery or improving the capacity of a place to induce relaxation. Most definitely, it can give many benefits to a particular home or office.

Indoor wall fountains are great stress relievers in order to battle the harshness of everyday tension from work or other activities. Not only are they good looking but they can also come with great healing auditory sounds. Indoor wall fountains are more than just pretty pieces of ornamentation which give scenery to a particular room. In truth, they are channels to a more optimistic place because they make everything lighter and more positive.

Another choice of a fountain which tags along elegance is the floor fountain. There are now a lot of modern and unique contemporary designs of the floor fountain from which a buyer can choose from. This stems from the fact that new materials are now being used for the manufacture of the floor fountain. There are enhanced materials which have upgraded the appearance of the floor fountain.

In particular, the stainless steel appearance of the floor fountain is the definitive be a popular choice since it blends naturally with wood. The floor fountain can be installed both indoors and outdoors, depending on the purpose and effect that is desired. One important consideration that should be noted is that indoor floor fountains are different from the indoor ones. While floor fountains are mostly beautiful and there are really no errors among choices, these two concepts should never be mixed.

Water fountains have been around for a long time and it is not surprising that it now comes in many forms and sizes. Depending on what the consumer wants on on the buyer's desired effects, a particular fountain could be the optimum choice for such a desire. Indoor wall water fountains are bringers of elegance, grace and beauty to the interior of an establishment. Floor fountains can illuminate the appearance of both indoor and outdoor places.

Using Bird Feeders to Attract Birds

By Simon Waker Haughtone

Using bird feeders to attract birds to a backyard or other environment near a home can be a great way for people who love the idea of such birds being around to make it become a fact. Stopping by every once in a while for a quick bite to eat, a great many different species of birds will make sure to consider the theater a kind of super feeding station, at least once in a while, it's hoped.

Many people, however, are unaware that there are different kinds of features that are intended to attract different types of birds. Putting up one kind or another can be a very easy way to start getting many different kinds of birds to begin calling a backyard a welcome place to be. In general, a very common type of feeder is one that's called a "seed feeder."

These feeders normally come in certain styles and capabilities, and bird watchers or enthusiasts like them because they can attract birds and prevent squirrels from getting at the seed within. Squirrels are opportunistic creatures and will take advantage of an unguarded feeder very quickly. But that's why there are a number of feeder to be squirrel-proof. Using one of them is highly recommended.

There are a number of excellent squirrel-proof versions for sale these days, with one that's really innovative. It's a weight-sensitive feeder that responds to the excess weight of a squirrel and shuts its doors whenever a squirrel is weighing down the feeder. When the squirrel departs, the doors open back up, freeing seed for the use of birds alone.

There are other kinds of bird feeders that are also squirrel-proof. Some mount on top of poles and come with baffles that prevent squirrels from getting to the seed meant for the birds. Outside of feeders intended for seed-eating birds, other people like feeders meant to attract hummingbirds. There are a number of different types of such feeders that can be bought these days, as well.

Intended to allow a hummingbird to feed on nectar, all that's needed is to fill the feeder with a commercially-developed nectar or even a homemade version of the liquid. With most, up to a full pint of such nectar can be stored within the feeder, appealing to and then attracting these little birds to the feeding station. And they're actually not very expensive, surprisingly.

Nowadays, bird feeders are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions or capabilities. Some are intended to attract seed-feeding birds while others are meant to attract birds that feed off of nectar, such as the hummingbird species. Some come unassembled or in kits while others come fully-assembled and ready to go. What's for sure, though, is that almost all are very reasonably priced.

People that are concerned about standing water in bird bath that attracts mosquitoes especially during the hot summer months can find effective solution at Birdbathhouse.com. Quality bird feeders and baths provided by them attract birds and not the mosquitoes and the great thing about it is that it prevents spread of virus eliminating stagnant water.

Small Yard Landscaping Ideas

By Tim Lee

When you want a good yard, you can consider a landscaping project to enhance it. You can make the things you always wanted without any problem as long as you prepare them right.
A pond, a waterfall, a walkway to compliment the lawn or anything you like can always be developed even with a small yard. Here are some of the basic tips to get your ideal project.

1. The area must have things that complement each other. This can be rocks, plants, and ponds. They can unify the overall appeal of your project. Even if a small area, there can be good color theme to make your ideal landscaping.

2. You can add a walkway to enhance your garden. Either if gravel or cement can provide a good path and save some grass on your lawn. If you are feeling challenged, you can add a tree house as they are a good place for your kids to play.

3. You lawn can add a cool color and a place to play for hot days. You can add some flowers on the side and shrubs at your disposal. You can also plant some trees for shade. They can turn a garden into a small paradise with ease.

4. Flowers can be colorful addition to your project. They give grace to any yard. Choose the right species; your local plant nursery staff can give you more insights on this matter.
A pond can also be put up to give a special treat on your small yard. They can come in kits so you don't have to worry about the materials, the most important thing on ponds is the placement, get a good place where it can be viewed from inside your home as they can be seen even when the weather is not fine.

5. Rocks are also a good landscaping item. It can have a breathtaking view if you place them right. Add in some plants for contrast and you can have a good dry landscaping theme.
This is preferable when there is not enough water for your garden and considerably conserves your resources. You can also use them on ponds, walls and walkways, they can usually give out nice results.

Scheduling the work and getting some input on professionals can create the yard of your dreams. Your small yard landscaping ideas can be easily achieved if you put your efforts and plan them thoroughly.
To learn more landscaping ideas, visit http://www.landscapingideas101.com

10 Reasons to Try Container Gardening

Why Container Gardening Rocks

By Kerry Michaels, About.com Guide

Container is easy: Think you're a plant killer, or haven’t ever tried to garden? Container gardening is a great place to start. Even a complete novice can create a spectacular container garden in very little time. All you really need to get started is a container, some potting soil and either seeds or plants.

Container gardening can be economical: You can use almost anything for a container. Even an old bucket found at a yard sale, with a few holes punched in the bottom, can make a great container garden. Just look around your house and you’ll be surprised how many things will work: from outgrown toy bins to bright plastic tubs. Put drainage holes in the bottom, fill them with potting soil, add pansies or nasturtiums and for a few dollars you’ve made a lovely visual statement.

Garden in any space: Even the smallest space can be enhanced by a container garden. I have seen beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens grown on fire escapes and stoops. Whatever space limitations you have, you can design a container garden that will thrive. No sun? A terra cotta pot filled with different colored coleus can make you want to sing. Too much sun? Fill a basket with succulents to make a beautiful garden that will largely take care of itself.

Grow a cactus garden in Alaska: With container gardening you can be liberated from your geography – you can grow a cactus garden in Alaska or johnny jump-ups in Arizona. In many yards or even on a single deck or patio there are tremendous varieties of conditions--from sunny, warm and protected to shady and cool. Just make sure you have the right plants for your particular spot.

Kids love container gardening: My kids wouldn’t look at peas until they grew them in container gardens and could eat them right off the vine. Carrots took on new meaning when the kids saw them growing on the deck and could eat them when they were tiny and sweet. Kids love the success that container gardens give them, and they take pride, at a very young age, in growing something their family can eat.

Garden in a container to outfox critters: I got sick and tired of my tomatoes being devoured by the local tribe of woodchucks. As soon as I moved them to containers on my deck, I had all the tomatoes I could eat.

Container gardening can bring instant gratification: There are few things in life that can give you the instant gratification that a container garden can. In the space of a few hours, you can go to a local nursery, pick out a bunch of healthy, beautiful flowering plants, fill a container with them and be rewarded with a spectacular, professional looking garden! An added bonus is that you may never have to weed it.

Gardening in containers can suit any style: You can go for a modern look — think bright green grass in a stark white container – or a more formal arrangement – matching urns filled with cascading flowers flanking an entry-way. You can even have containers that will survive the winter, bringing cheerful green accents to areas that would otherwise be bland and boring.

You can grow almost anything in a container garden: There is almost no plant that can't be grown in a container garden. It's easy to grow vegetables and herbs, and even trees in a container garden.

Gardening in containers can suit any personality: With container gardening you can have great results being as relaxed or ambitious as you want to be. A couple of pansies in a pot may be enough to start with, or you might want to landscape an entire area with containers. All you need to be a successful container gardener is willingness to experiment, a tolerance for the unexpected and a love of playing in the dirt.