Gardening doesn't have to be limited to the outside of your home. You
can bring the beauty of nature indoors for enjoyment year round.
Container gardening offers you the chance to transform an outdoor garden
into a miniature one that can be treasured throughout the seasons, even
during winter. Creating this type of garden is not only easy but fun as
well. Containers allow you to use your imagination. Container gardens
provide flexible options such as with size and location. A container
garden can be situated to fit an area's existing space and tailored to
suit current light and temperature needs. Typically, just about any type
of container allowing adequate drainage is acceptable; you're limited
only by your imagination. Some of the many possibilities include
windowsill gardens, strawberry jar gardens, and hanging gardens.
Windowsill gardens make wonderful, attractive additions to your home's
décor. They are easy to create as well as affordable. By planting a
windowsill garden, you can bring your favorite herbs and flowers indoors
and enjoy them all year long. Nearly any type of container can be
fitted to a window as long as it provides good drainage. If the
container you have chosen does not provide any outlets for drainage, you
can easily drill a few holes within the bottom or lower sides. After
selecting plants for your windowsill garden, place them in the container
using a soil-less potting mix. This type of medium contains natural
materials and drains more efficiently.
Hanging baskets can offer
a variety of design ideas for the indoor garden. Nearly anything with
the ability to hold soil and water can be used for baskets. Those lined
with sphagnum moss are ideal since hanging baskets are prone to drying
out easily and sphagnum moss retains moisture as will a larger
container. A variety of plants are suitable for placement in a hanging
basket. Sweet potato vines, ferns, morning glories, ajuga, creeping
Jenny, moneywort, wandering Jew or ivy cultivars look quite beautiful in
a hanging basket and when mixed with various flowers, these plants can
bring a basket to life. Vegetables and herbs can be used as well.
Another option for the hanging garden includes cuttings from your
favorite plants. Place them in various bottles of water and situate them
in a wire basket lined with moss. Hang in your desired location.
Strawberry jars can easily be transformed into striking herb,
succulent, or flower gardens. Strawberry jars are found in most garden
centers and are available in various sizes and with varying planting
pockets. Choose plants that are suited to growing in containers and tuck
them neatly into the pockets. Add potting soil as you go and water
thoroughly. As plants grow, be sure to deadhead any spent flowers or
unkempt leaves and water on a regular basis as well. Strawberry jars can
also be used to create lovely fountains by placing a small submersible
pump inside the jar and filling with water. Place the jar in a large
bowl that is similar in style; this will catch water. Stones or pebbles
can be added along with moisture-loving plants.
To create a
useful kitchen garden, incorporate herbs such as basil, marjoram,
oregano, parsley, chive, sage, lemon balm, mint, and thyme. Place your
herbs in a sunny location. There are many succulents and flowers that
can be successfully grown in containers. Some of these include hens and
chicks, cactus, sedum, petunias, impatiens, geraniums, begonias, and
lobelia. To enjoy the blissful aromas of outdoors, add some fragrant
flowers. Heliotrope, sweet alyssum, lemon verbena, creeping thyme, and
miniature carnations or roses
are popular choices. In order to intensify its fragrance, place your
container garden in a sunny area. Foliage plants such as ivy and ferns
can be added as well to create a more natural appearance. Choose from
numerous varieties to add texture and contrast to the garden.
Whether you opt for a windowsill garden, strawberry jar, hanging basket,
or one of your own creative indoor garden designs, containers are a
sure-fire way to enjoy the beauty of outdoors all year long.
