First, you need to know that pot gardening is not just about pots. In fact, it is all about containers. Container gardening involves all types of gardening – from plant growing in pots to plant growing in containers to using hydroponics.
So, it is quite obvious that plant growth cannot take place without a container in which the roots can attach themselves. This is where pot gardening becomes an essential part of the garden plan. As far as pot gardening is concerned, there are two types – hanging and ground gardening. So, depending upon your requirements you can select between the two. Both types of pot gardening require hanging containers that support the weight of the plant.
Hanging containers – these are simply a pot or a basket containing soil and plants. To begin with, the roots need good soil support and strong roots. Therefore, the root ball needs to be filled in with compost and moistened. Once this is done the potting bench has to be prepared. This is the area where the actual work begins – creating the perfect soil mixture, extracting water from the soil and watering the plants.
In case you decide on container gardening, then the first thing that you need to prepare is a potting bench. This is a simple wooden frame on which you can plant and maintain your container garden. It can be made of cedar, redwood or pine. The most important aspect of a potting bench is that it should be able to support the weight of the plant on top of it.
The potting bench should be deep enough to accommodate the root ball. Once the roots are properly rooted they should not move downward. For instance, if the pot is placed on a potting bench that has the bottom part cut out, it might get damaged sooner rather than later. On the other hand, if the pot is made with a solid bottom, it will last longer. Therefore, you will have a pot to use for many years without worrying about changing them.
In container gardens like these, timing is very important. The right time to plant and water your garden is just as important as how big a container garden you want to grow. When planning to start a container garden, it is a good idea to have a plan. This way you will be certain that you will be able to do all the things that you have to do in order to be successful.
A potting bench is not necessary for container gardening. If the pots and the soil are large enough, you can actually install a pergola on top of the pot in order to improve the overall look and feel of your garden. Just make sure that the pergola does not overshadow the flowers. With shallow pots, such as those made with rocks or wood, it is easy to simply dig the pergola just below the flowers. This will give them shade, reduce wind damage, and allow you to water them at the same time.
If you have the space, a small garden plot on a patio or deck would be perfect for container gardening. It is also possible to have a raised bed or pen for a successful container garden. However, unless you are a skilled gardener, it would be wise to have a potting bench nearby. It will save you a lot of time from having to tend to the plants each day.