The Benefits of Container Gardening

The benefits of container gardening. Grow colour, incredible edibles and fragrant plants in containers. If you’re not convinced about growing in pots and containers, here’s a list of reasons why you should get started right now no matter where you live:

Versatile: Container gardens allow you to grow on a balcony, patio, courtyard, indoors on windowsills or rooms with adequate light, the deck of a boat, rooftop or high-rise building.

More variety: You can grow plants that may not be suitable to grow in your garden soil and grow plants next to each other even though they may have different soil needs.

Portable meals on wheels: Suitable for renters, edible gardens in pots can move house with you. Less disease problems: Most of the time plants that are grown in containers have fewer problems with diseases than plants grown in the soil.

Fewer pesky pests: Insects that move from plant to plant in the garden are less likely to discover plants on a balcony, verandah or deck. Even if a problem is detected, you can isolate affected plants by relocating the pot until the problem is under control.

Fertilising is easier: Keeping your plants wellfed is much easier when they are confined to a small area. Not as much nutrient tends to be lost or absorbed by neighbouring plants like when they are grown directly in garden beds.

Time and labour saving: Less time is spent weeding, walking and watering when plants are grouped all in one place.

Close to the kitchen: Convenience of only reaching out or taking a few steps to fresh home grown herbs and veggies.

Street appeal: Well-designed container plants placed strategically at a home’s entrance can add value and make the home more welcoming.

Reduce food miles: Growing even a few fresh herbs or salad vegetables in pots means less trips in the car or public transport to the shops or markets and saves money too.

sources: Ireland's Home Interior and Living, August 2018