Large, beautiful gardens are the pride and joy of any gardener, but not everybody has enough space for such large endeavours. Container gardening is the next logical step and a great alternative, because it allows the creation of a small patch of paradise, even when the available space is very limited. Large projects can also benefit from the advantages of container gardening because creating elaborate designs is much easier this way. Also, there are plenty of plants that love growing in containers, where they can benefit from enough moisture, protection against extreme temperatures, and the best soil. Here’s a guide to jumpstart your container gardening ideas.
Are Large Pots Better?
For successful container gardening and especially large projects, large pots are recommended for a variety of reasons. First of all, plants thrive better when placed in larger pots, because they can grow their roots deeper into the soil. Also, a large pot is more likely to maintain the necessary moisture for a longer time, which also means less work for gardeners. Temperature fluctuations are not a problem either as the plants are well protected.
Focal Points in the Garden
Even when placed in the middle of a beautiful garden, pots can be an exquisite choice. Choose colourful plants that draw attention and create focal points to give your landscaping project more personality. Again, the choice of larger pots is highly recommended, since you will not have to water the plants all the time to keep them happy and healthy.
Welcoming Touches
Container gardening is a great choice when you want to create a more welcoming feeling for a patio or an entrance. Placing garden pots with beautiful plants on both sides create a very interesting and also welcoming effect. For commercial and public buildings, these small touches make visitors more at ease.
Positioning the Containers
For large projects, it can be a daunting task to move the pots around when they are already filled with soil. The best piece of advice is to position all the containers in the design you desire and then proceed to fill them with soil and place the plants inside.
Choosing the Materials
Depending on the type of project at hand, you will need to choose the materials needed with care. For large pots, it is recommended to try some materials that are lightweight, such as fiberglass. However, since the design of the project may dictate otherwise, here is some information on the most common materials used and their characteristics:
- Terracotta is a very beautiful material for garden pots, but, if you want to purchase large pots made of this material, keep in mind that they can get quite heavy; nonetheless, terracotta is a type of material that ages beautifully.
- Fiberglass is a more modern material and it is ideal for landscaping projects that aim at a contemporary design.
- For a rustic feel, wood and stone are the most common materials used, as they blend beautifully with the environment; high end residential projects are often aimed at obtaining this particular type of feeling.