Container Gardens
Now I am by no means the greenest thumb in the family but I learn from my mistakes.
Here is one lesson that can serve wishful gardeners with small spaces.
Over the years I have acquired a number of flower pots from various sources and the ever growing stack of empty pots and containers have faithfully moved with me several times.
During one of our many moves my husband informed me that if I did not start actually using my flower pot collection it was going to disappear.
My rebuttal...
if we did not move every 6 months I would be able to actually get a garden established.
As a compromise I began to collect seeds, bulbs and trimmings from friends and family members.
These were planted in my container collection and arranged on the patio.
When it came time to move yet again, my plants were able to come with me.
This is also a great way to take some of your favourite plants with you when you downsize to an apartment or condo.
Carefully dig up your plants and place them in individual pots that are large enough to accommodate the roots.
Water thoroughly (make sure that you do this a few days before your move so that the excess water drains out) and keep your newly potted plants outside close to your current garden.
When you move into your new apartment or condo simply place your container garden on the balcony.
Some plants may require special planning for example if your new location is shady your sun loving plants will likely not be happy there (container or not).
The same goes for shade loving plants moving to an area where the balcony is in full sun most of the day.
I tend to plant bulbs in my container garden and have discovered that painters or masking tape serves as a great label on the side of the pots.
This is handy for storage purposes as I have spent many a spring waiting to see the sprouts come out so that I can tell which is which.
If you are not very good at handwriting labels Avery makes a removable label that you can run through your home printer.
These labels also come in handy for giving planters as gifts as you can include the plant name, and care instructions.
Here is one lesson that can serve wishful gardeners with small spaces.
Over the years I have acquired a number of flower pots from various sources and the ever growing stack of empty pots and containers have faithfully moved with me several times.
During one of our many moves my husband informed me that if I did not start actually using my flower pot collection it was going to disappear.
My rebuttal...
if we did not move every 6 months I would be able to actually get a garden established.
As a compromise I began to collect seeds, bulbs and trimmings from friends and family members.
These were planted in my container collection and arranged on the patio.
When it came time to move yet again, my plants were able to come with me.
This is also a great way to take some of your favourite plants with you when you downsize to an apartment or condo.
Carefully dig up your plants and place them in individual pots that are large enough to accommodate the roots.
Water thoroughly (make sure that you do this a few days before your move so that the excess water drains out) and keep your newly potted plants outside close to your current garden.
When you move into your new apartment or condo simply place your container garden on the balcony.
Some plants may require special planning for example if your new location is shady your sun loving plants will likely not be happy there (container or not).
The same goes for shade loving plants moving to an area where the balcony is in full sun most of the day.
I tend to plant bulbs in my container garden and have discovered that painters or masking tape serves as a great label on the side of the pots.
This is handy for storage purposes as I have spent many a spring waiting to see the sprouts come out so that I can tell which is which.
If you are not very good at handwriting labels Avery makes a removable label that you can run through your home printer.
These labels also come in handy for giving planters as gifts as you can include the plant name, and care instructions.
