Container Gardening

For those with limited space or mobility, container gardening provides an accessible and efficient way to grow plants. One of the key advantages is that containers are elevated, reducing the need to bend over and making garden care easier on the body. They can also be placed close to your home or patio, simplifying maintenance and reducing weed problems.

When selecting containers for vegetables or flowers, it’s important to choose the right size. As a general rule, the plant should not be more than twice the height or width of the pot. This guideline helps ensure a balanced root-to-shoot ratio and adds stability, reducing the chance of the container tipping over.

Some gardeners like to place rocks or other filler materials in the bottom of their containers to reduce the amount of potting soil needed. While rocks are not recommended, other lightweight options like cut-up pool noodles, sticks, or cardboard can be used. However, no more than one-quarter of the container should be filled with non-soil materials to ensure plants have adequate root space and access to nutrients.

It’s also essential to use potting soil, not topsoil from your yard or a field. Potting soil is formulated with additives such as vermiculite or perlite to improve drainage and water retention. It’s also typically free of weed seeds. In contrast, garden or field soil may introduce weeds and lacks the structure and moisture-holding capacity needed for healthy container plants.

Although container gardens require more frequent watering and can subject plants to slightly more stressful conditions, the convenience and flexibility they offer make them an excellent choice for many gardeners

For more tips and resources contact me at jlcarr@ksu.edu or 620-842-5445