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Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a lot of land to start a garden. In fact, all you need is a container and some soil. Container gardens are becoming increasingly popular because they're not only easy to get started with, but they can also brighten up your space with vibrant colors and delightful scents.
“Container gardening is a way to get around the constraints of limited outdoor space, making it an especially viable solution for people living in urban areas,” says Stephanie El Hayani, co-owner and chief floral officer at Seed Floral. “By choosing the right container, from small pots to large planters, to fit the specific needs of your space and your plants, you can have a thriving garden no matter where you live.”
We spoke to expert florists about how to start a container garden, whether you want to grow vegetables, herbs, or traditional flowers.
How to Start a Container Garden Step by Step
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or need a refresher, we'll show you step-by-step how to start a container garden with the guidance of a professional florist.
Step 1: Prepare a container with proper drainage
Step 2: Gather your soil, tools, flowers and seeds
Step 3: Place the plant in the container
Step 4: Place the container in an area with optimal sunlight.
Step 5: Water your plants regularly
How to make a container garden
Step 1: Prepare a container with proper drainage
As the name suggests, container gardens require containers, and there are a variety of containers available in the market, ranging from plastic to ceramic.
“The most common options include terracotta, metal, concrete, food buckets and grow pots,” ElHayani said.
Not sure which one to choose? The Rectangular Brown Wood Outdoor Planter Box from Outsunny is a solid choice, as it's made from fir wood so it will blend into almost any room and has a water-resistant paint for optimal durability. These minimalist flower pots from Utopia Home are great for individual plants, with drainage holes in the bottom and a saucer to catch excess water.
If the container you choose doesn't have drainage holes, El Hayani says you can make your own by drilling holes in the bottom by hand or with a power drill.
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Step 2: Gather soil, tools, flowers, and seeds
You can't create a container garden without the right tools to begin the process.
Besides containers, the next thing that should be on your list is potting soil. “Choose a good quality soil that's designed for containers and raised beds, not in the ground,” says Kim Zimmerman, master gardener and lead designer at Rowdy Poppy. “Good quality soil has everything your plants need to grow, and once your plants are established, you can always fertilize them to encourage further growth.”
If you are looking to grow flowers or plants, Miracle-Gro Potting Soil and Burpee Premium Organic Potting Soil Natural Mix can be used indoors or outdoors and will provide nutrients for three to six months.
Once the soil is prepared, you'll need the right tools to plant properly and safely. Use gardening gloves, such as these from Midwest Quality Inc., to protect your hands from mud and sharp hand tools like trowels, transplanters, and cultivators. Also, be sure to pack a watering can, easily purchased from Amazon, to ensure your plants get the amount of water they need.
Finally, you'll need to get hold of the flowers and seeds you want to grow in your container garden, without them you'll just be left with a container with soil.
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Photo courtesy of Lowe's
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Photo credit: Amazon
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Step 3: Place the plant in the container
This step is pretty self-explanatory, but your plants won't thrive unless they're properly planted in the soil. Generally, when it comes to container gardening, the deeper the better. “Fill in the soil around the plant, making sure the stem is no deeper than the nursery container it's in,” says El Hayani.
Step 4: Place the container in an area with optimal sunlight.
The amount of sunlight needed will vary depending on the type of plant you're growing. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it's important that plants get six to eight hours of direct sunlight. If you're having trouble getting sunlight in your living space, consider growing plants that need more shade, like hostas, herbs, or ferns.
Step 5: Water your plants regularly
Just like any other plant, it's important to water your container plants regularly – different types of plants need to be watered often enough – but it's important not to overwater them, as they will die if you do.
Factors that determine how much and how often you should water your plants include the weather, the type of plant, and the size of the container.
container vegetable garden tips
A container garden full of veggies will have you growing fresh produce in no time. Here are some tips from our gardening experts.
Leave plenty of space in containers: Vegetables tend to grow large, so make sure to give them plenty of room, says Zimmerman. “This means being realistic about how many plants you can plant; you may need to prioritize your favorite plants,” she adds. “If your space is really tight, consider choosing vegetables that have been bred for smaller overall plant size.” Plan by season: Some vegetables thrive in cool climates and can't tolerate summer heat, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, peas, and leafy greens. “Warm-weather vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers need heat to grow,” says Zimmerman.
Herb Garden Container Tips
Container gardens are also a great space to grow herbs to add flavor in the kitchen.
Use larger containers: It's best to avoid planting herbs in containers that are too small, as this can limit their growth. “Treat your herbs like vegetables and give them more space or plant them in containers with vegetables,” says Zimmerman. Do your research: Some herbs are very hardy (some might say aggressive), so think carefully about what you plant with them. Herbs from the mint family can spread quickly and choke out other plants, so you might want to dedicate a container just to mint, says Zimmerman.
Container Garden Ideas
Whether you want to plant vibrant flowers or rustic vegetables, the possibilities with container gardens are endless. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Window Box Flowers: Add a decorative flourish to your living space with window box flowers, perfect for spring and summer. Tall Palms: Make a statement in your container garden by planting tall palms. Add dimension by planting them on your porch, patio, or deck. Indoor Herbs: Cooks who love to cook can benefit from growing thyme, rosemary, basil, and other fragrant herbs in an indoor herb garden. Pink Flowers: Add a splash of color to your living space by growing pink flowers in a container garden. Microgreens: Increase the nutritional value of your meals by growing microgreens in containers on your windowsill or outdoor patio.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to create a container garden?
When setting up a container garden, there are a few ways to save money on the products you use to grow them: “Use inexpensive containers, like buckets or dishwashing trays from thrift stores, as garden planters and make sure they have drainage holes,” says Elhayani. Zimmerman adds that it's also a good idea to check your local nurseries and freebie pages to see if they have any extras.
What is the most common mistake with potted plants?
According to Zimmerman, the most common mistake with potted plants is not giving the plant enough space to grow. “This manifests itself both in choosing a pot that's too small and in crowding the plants too close together,” she adds.
How deep should your container garden be?
Container gardens need to be fairly deep to provide optimal growing conditions. “Generally speaking, the deeper the better, especially when it comes to growing vegetables,” says Zimmerman. “The minimum depth I recommend is around 18 inches, and 30 inches is even better.”
Kaycee Clark is a freelance writer from New York covering beauty, style, mental health, commerce, etc. She's been a writer for almost four years and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, TODAY, Huffington Post, Allure, and more.
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