Gardening Articles: Flowers :: Annuals
Getting Started with Container Gardening (page 2 of 3)
by National Gardening Association Editors
Choosing Containers
Almost anything can serve as a container! You may have seen plantings in barrels, buckets, bathtubs--even old shoes! Your primary consideration in choosing a container is drainage: the planter must have drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain away.
Containers are available in a variety of materials. Let's look at the characteristics of a few of the most common.
| Material | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Unglazed clay The most common clay pots are the familiar reddish-orange terra-cotta containers. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from inexpensive, unadorned flower pots to large, ornate urns and planters. |
|
|
| Glazed clay Pots come in a range of colors, sizes, shapes, and designs. Glazing reduces porosity, so soil retains water longer. Glazed saucers protect surfaces from moisture. |
|
|
| Wood Includes half whiskey barrels, window boxes, and other purchased containers, plus homemade boxes and raised beds. |
Acquires character with age; surface weathers, grows moss, etc. |
|
| Metal Common types included galvanized metal, copper, and lead. |
Acquires character with age |
|
| Plastic Includes inexpensive nursery pots and hanging baskets, as well as more ornate containers. Often crafted to resemble natural materials. |
|
|
With a little ingenuity, you can overcome some containers' shortcomings. For example, you may like the look of unglazed clay, but find that your plants dry out too quickly because of the high porosity. Here are two solutions:
- Grow plants in plastic pots, then place these into a decorative clay pot. Fill in the space between the pots with mulch.
- Paint the inside of new containers with several coats of latex paint to waterproof them.
