Container gardening

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Growing trees and shrubs in containers

Inevitably I buy a shrub or tree that I don't have room for in my landscape. So, in joining with the container gardening craze, I decide to pot it up. Now, I believe that potted woody plants have a certain je ne c'est quoi; an elegance, a mature look, a heft. They seem to set off an entryway (like sentinels), or adorn a patio, in a way that flowering annuals and perennials cannot.

If you'd like to try growing trees or shrubs in containers as special accents in your garden, there are a few things you should consider.

- Mary Vaananen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.my-container-garden.com/index.html

Gardening for Small Spaces Sponsored by:

When one thinks of a garden, the first image to come to mind is likely to include manicured lawns and spacious flower beds. Yet in the world of the twenty-first century, where many living spaces lack the space to create such a natural panorama, the popularity of smaller, mobile, and more creative expressions of the love of nature is on the increase. Container gardens are, for many, the preferred approach to bringing to life plants of all descriptions.

Various aspects of container gardening are explored on this site. You can read about containers, their location, the selection of plants, and issues such as color, soils, watering and lighting. The versatility of the container garden is illustrated. The limits of the container garden are only bound by the imagination of the container gardener.

read more at the link above

Raised Beds For A Small Space

Raised beds improve yields of veggies by providing plants with great soil for maximum root development. There are many books available on raised bed gardening, with information on constructing the beds (a basic process of clearing your planting area, adding a "frame" of wood, brick, stone or another edging, filling with soil, and planting inside that raised bed). Just a cautionary note--do not use treated timbers/lumber for raised vegetable or herb gardens. Landscape timbers are treated with a compound called CCA (Copper chromated arsenate), a highly toxic arsenic-based chemical. I know there are studies out there that measure how much of the CCA actually leaches from the timbers into surrounding soil. Some say small amounts will leach, while others say that the amounts are negligible, but I wouldn't take any chances. Untreated woods like cedar or redwood (expensive) are long lasting and fairly rot-resistant. Pine is less expensive and in most climates will last four years before needing replacement.

Back to raised gardens. A three- to four-foot-wide area (you choose the length) is best for access to the interior of the bed. Loosen your soil using a garden fork to a depth of about 12 inches. Add organic matter in the form of compost or composted cow manure. How much to add? At least two inches of organic matter over the raised bed area. Calculate the area of your raised bed (length x width = sq. ft.) and multiply that by 0.166 ft. This will give you an amount of cubic feet that you can compare to different product labels. Once your raised-bed structure is built and the soil loosened and amended, you never need disturb or compact the soil again. Your raised bed will have excellent drainage, and plants will not rot in springtime rains. Raised beds will need more water during summer heat and drought, so keep that in mind.

- Mary Vaananen

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002

Answers

I'm a strong believer in container gardening, especially if you like low maintenance. Use the new soils out now, the ones that hold water well. Also you might buy a bag of the large pine bark nuggets, put a layer on top of the soil in your pots--conserves water, keeps weeds down. I use the same pots and soil year after year for maybe three seasons (yes, I know you're not supposed to use the same dirt but haven't had any problems yet) and sprinkle some granular fertilizer on top.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

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