DIY Network

Garden Basics: Outdoor Container Gardening Thinking outside the pot. Plus the "real dirt" on garden gloves. From "Dirt On Gardening" episode DDOG-102

For container gardening, make sure your container has holes for drainage. Plants hate having wet feet!

With the variety that's available today, picking a container for your plants can be just as difficult as picking the plants to put in them. In that sense, container gardening is both an art and a science.

Kristine Hanson, host of DIY's The Dirt on Gardening discusses the basics of container gardening, and some of the types of containers that are available.

Also. . . tips from Farmer Fred on container gardening, and "the real dirt" on garden gloves.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Name That Container

At right are three of containers for growing plants (figures A, B and C), each made from a different material. Keeping in mind that some pots are now made from synthetic materials that are made to mimic the real thing, can you name the material from which each pot is made? Scroll down to the bottom of this page to find the answers.

Why Containers?

• Many plant varieties thrive in containers and can be grown in a container for the entire life of the plant.

• The main rule when selecting a container is... it needs to hold soil and allow drainage.

• One advantage of container gardening ability to move plants and containers around, showcasing their individuality and versatility.

• "Instant color" can be created by placing containers around the garden and can change the entire look of a landscape.

• With containers, "un-plantable" landscape areas can instantly become a garden retreat and focal point.
  
  

• Terra cotta or clay. A favorite of gardeners, these natural looking pots keep getting better with age. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Terra cotta pots are porous so they dry out faster than plastic or other non-porous types, especially in direct sun, and that can rob moisture from the soil, so make sure you water frequently. They tend to get heavy when filled with soil.

• Plastic. These come in variety shapes, colors and sizes. Some are made to look like terra cotta. They're lightweight and easier to move around than clay or ceramic. Does not dry out as fast, so be careful not to over-water.
  

  Figure D

• Fiberglass. Attractive choice that comes in a variety of finishes including some made to look like clay, molded concrete, aged or patina surfaces (figure D). These are inexpensive and won't break easily. They retain moisture longer on hot surfaces. Moss and mold won't build up on them.

• Other types: stoneware, barrels, boxes, etc. Get creative and find novel uses of unconventional containers. But remember these can get weighty with soil and may be difficult to move.
  

Figure A: Terra cotta. The real thing.

Figure B: Plastic, made to look like terra cotta.

Figure C: Fiberglass, made to look like an aged pot with patina. Fiberglass, like plastic, is lightweight and easy to move.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

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