by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Gardening can still be enjoyed as one grows older by weeding out demanding yard work and gardening more wisely.
Using containers and other means of raising your growing area above the ground level makes things a lot easier as far as gardening is concerned and this is also a great way of growing things when there isn't the space there, or at least not the soil space.
By using containers and other planters you get the plants higher off the ground making them much easier to care for and you could even bring them up higher still. You now can buy planters such as the “Vegitable” that are a bit like a manger bar they have solid sides and are about standard table height.
The higher the container, the easier it is in which to garden and won't have to be on your hands and knees. If you are limited on your ability to get up and down, using a higher container is a good choice.
Container gardening is usually, though not always, done on solid ground, like on a patio and steps, where a garden is more spread out. The containers are higher so the gardeners don't have to bend over as much. And containers are easier to use for those with limited yard space, too.
Container gardens Pros and Cons
Pros
Containers, especially lightweight plastic or resin pots, can easily be moved from one place to another. And, they can be grouped for mass appeal or scattered here and there in the yard.
The containers themselves can be coated in spray paint to change the color.
Nearly anything can be used for a container in which to grow flowers or especially, and that is what we are mostly on about in this publication, food. Old bathtubs, sinks, barrels, builder's bags, etc.
Cons
Plants in containers require more water and fertilizer – use a good soil improver such as bio-char or bracken-based soil enhancers – because the soil can more quickly dry out.
While some say that the soil in containers needs to be replaced each year, I would say that that is NOT the case. However, you want to use some compost and lightly work that in at the top. I have used planters again and again with almost the same soil, always. However, do not grow the same things in the same planter. Rotate each and every time.
© 2011
