Living in an urban setting often means having very little to no gardening space.
However, plants, including vegetables and herbs that we love and use every day, are very forgiving and will grow in a pot on your windowsill or container in your back yard.
Container gardening keeps gaining followers because living in smaller spaces doesn't mean they aren't gardeners anymore.
Here are six keys to successful container gardening and utilizing your space.
Pros Of Container Gardening Using store bought potting compost when container gardening makes for a substantial reduction in the risk of transferring soil borne diseases.
Invasive weeds are also eliminated.
Containers are mobile, so you can have plants that can be moved around easily.
Do however, note that if you plan to plant big containers, that they will be heavy.
You should place them before filling them.
Grow Small Things First Start with growing herbs you like before trying, for instance, tomatoes, which are wonderful but are also higher maintenance.
Thyme and rosemary are especially forgiving and don't need much watering.
Parsley, chives and basil are also wonderful.
Grow Easy Things Second Next, consider some salad leaves like romaine and other varieties, which you can cut and return to cut again.
They will do well in a window box or container, and can be grown all year round if you grow them inside in the winter.
Make sure they get enough light and cut them regularly to ensure new growth.
Containers And Their Sizes Herbs and salads don't take up much space but anything else really should be in five gallon or larger containers.
Containers can be made of anything as long as there are drainage holes.
You can also add some stones or gravel at the bottom so there's enough space for excess water to drain, therefore preventing root rot.
Positioning Your Containers Windows, patios, balconies and gardens with southern exposure providing six hours or more of sunlight are ideal for most fruit bearing plants like eggplant, tomato, peppers and strawberries.
Eastern and western exposure will do for leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach or kale and root vegetables like carrots and radishes as they will make do with as little as three hours of light.
Taking Care Of Your Containers Always read the labels on your plants and seeds carefully.
All the information you need should be on there.
Make sure your soil stays moist but not wet.
Most purchased soils have enough nutrients in them to sustain your plants for up to three weeks.
After that you can use a homemade or store bought feed.
Do remember, if you are going to eat your container plants to choose wisely.