There are seven amazing herbs in an Italian herb garden that gives most Italian cuisine its rich, scrumptious flavors. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t cook Italian dishes at home. Don’t you agree that it’s more practical and convenient to grow these plants in your garden so you’ll always have a flavorful and fresh supply every time you need to cook tasty Italian meals?
Do you know that the most popular and the tastiest dishes come from Italy because they use herbs from their Italian herb garden? In fact, records in the culinary industry show that some of the best dishes in the world come from Italy.
Let’s go over the 7 essential herbs found in an Italian herb garden, and their uses and benefits: 1. Basil is one of the most commonly used herbs. It is said that its distinct flavor is the soul of Italian cuisine. It is also beneficial to your garden — If you plant Basil with tomatoes and peppers, it will help improve the flavor of these plants. Basil is also a known repellent to mosquitoes and flies. Grow it with thyme, as they make a perfect pair, growing together.
2. Parsley is known in the culinary industry as an excellent flavoring too. In ancient times, many people use Parsley as breath mints. Very nutritious, eating parsley raw also helps eradicate bad breath. This is why parsley is used as a wonderful garnish.
3. Oregano on the other hand is used as decorative and has a distinct flavor that can complement many meals. This herb delivers the best flavor when harvested as soon as its beautiful purple flowers start to bloom. It also has great medicinal properties, and is widely used as an effective anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, as a digestive aid, and for relieving pain and inflammation.
4. Fennel is another great Italian herb that is used in making Italian sausages. This perennial plant should be replanted and divided every two to three years, because it loses its flavor when it reaches maturity. Fennel leaves are used in soups, condiments and sauces, and its oil is used to flavor candy, liqueurs, medicine and fish. It is used to make soaps too!
5. Another perennial plant that is noted for its numerous culinary contributions is Rosemary. It is very sensitive to frost and is known to attract bees. It’s a kind of shrub herb plant with color blue flowers. Use it as a gorgeous ornamental plant or as a welcome culinary flavoring.
6. Garlic is one of the most popular herbs in any garden and is a basic ingredient in many Italian dishes. I’m sure of one thing – if you don’t grow garlic in your garden, it cannot be considered as an Italian garden! Garlic can thrive with very little attention. Once harvested, they can be pickled, frozen, or stored in the fridge for future use.
7. Sage is a popular herb that graces countless Italian recipes, ranging from meats to salads. If you want to grow sage, I suggest that you keep your plants well trimmed so that you can take advantage of the new shoots – the most delicious plant part. Harvest these plants after they have bloomed. Sage is also known for its health benefits – it is a great memory enhancer, has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a powerful antioxidant too!
There are other herbs that can serve as a nice addition to your Italian herb garden but starting off with these 7 essential herbs is a great idea since they are used in a wide variety of recipes.
The Benefits of Adding Organic Matter and Compost to Your Soil
If you want your garden to be healthy and productive, it’s important to start with healthy soil. One of the best ways to improve the quality of your soil is by adding organic matter and compost. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of adding organic matter and compost to your soil.
Improved Nutrient Content
Organic matter and compost help to improve the nutrient content of your soil. This is because they add essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth. Adding organic matter and compost to your soil can also help to improve the overall structure of your soil, making it more loose and easy for plant roots to penetrate.
Improved Water Retention
One of the biggest benefits of adding organic matter and compost to your soil is improved water retention. This is because organic matter helps to hold water in the soil, making it available for plants to use when they need it most. This is especially beneficial during times of drought or extended periods of dry weather.
Increased Soil Fertility
Adding organic matter and compost to your soil can also help to increase its fertility. This is because organic matter helps to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, which can help improve plant growth. Additionally, organic matter and compost can help add essential nutrients back into the soil that may have been depleted by previous crops.
As you can see, there are many benefits to adding organic matter and compost to your soil. If you want your garden to be healthy and productive, be sure to add these important ingredients!
How to Plant and Care for Your Italian Herbs
Growing your own Italian herbs can be a rewarding experience. Not only do you get to enjoy the delicious results of your labor, but you also get to control how your herbs are grown and cared for. Here are a few tips on how to get started.
Choose the Right Location
Herbs need plenty of sunlight to grow, so choose a spot in your yard or on your windowsill that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to prepare the soil.
Prepare the Soil
Herbs thrive in well-drained soil, so be sure to loosen the soil and remove any rocks or debris before planting. You can also improve drainage by mixing in some sand or organic matter. Once your soil is ready, it’s time to plant!
Plant Your Italian Herbs
When planting your herbs, be sure to give them plenty of space to grow. If you’re planting multiple herbs in one container, make sure each herb has its own individual pot. Once you’ve planted your herbs, water them regularly and fertilize them every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.
With a little care and attention, your herbs will thrive! Remember to choose a sunny location, prepare the soil before planting, and water and fertilize regularly. With these tips, you’ll be enjoying fresh herbs in no time!
The Best Time to Harvest Herbs
Do you love the taste of fresh Italian herbs in your cooking? Growing your own herbs is a great way to have them on hand whenever you need them. But when is the best time to harvest them? Read on to find out!
Harvest the herbs when they are mature, but before they flower. This will give you the best flavor. Most herbs are ready to harvest 4-6 weeks after planting.
To dry your herbs, tie them in small bundles and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place. Or, lay them out on a screen or paper towels in a single layer and set them in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight. Once they’re dried, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
If you want to freeze your herbs, wash and dry them thoroughly. Chop them finely and then put them into ice cube trays or freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Label and date the containers, and then store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Now that you know when to harvest your Italian herbs, get out there and start picking! Fresh (or frozen) herbs can really take your cooking to the next level. Bon appétit!
Outdoor planter boxes can be used for highlighting a landscape, garden, patio, balcony and the inside of your home. Outdoor planter boxes are generally used in a container garden to grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs. Most of these containers are constructed of weather resistant materials that will withstand the outdoor elements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I6I0Q6Kp3k
Wood outdoor garden boxes that hold up to outdoor conditions are mostly made of redwood, cedar, or teak. You can find them in different shapes and sizes and can be used almost anywhere particularly a rustic outdoor setting. Many raised beds are constructed of these in the natural state or they can be painted to match any area of your garden. Raised beds are convenient for gardeners with knee or back problems and they are excellent for drainage.
PVC is a very durable material used in the construction of planter boxes. They sometimes give the appearance of beautiful wood or clay and you cannot tell the difference until pick one up and realize it is PVC. They are inexpensive lightweight containers that will last through many seasons of harsh weather and they do not need very much care. Some of these containers are so beautiful and self-watering they can be used on a front porch or door step to enhance the landscape in front of your house. Clay planter boxes are good for your plants health but the soil will dry out much quicker than other planters. They can be very heavy and are fragile so are best if used in a location where you do not have to move them around. They are also available in various sizes, shapes, and styles; you may even find some to match some of your outdoor yard decorations.
Some outdoor planter boxes are constructed of metal and are quite common. Some have decorative feet to lift them off the ground for drainage. Some may come with an inner lining or you can use a plastic liner for protection. You can find many window-boxes that are constructed of metal and are self-watering. Hanging planters are also classified as planter boxes for planting flowers that drape or hang over the side. Hanging planters can be hung from house eaves or patio covers and are available as self-watering.
Almost anything can be used as a planter box for growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers. You just need to find one large enough to handle the root system of what you intend to plant such as plastic milk containers, bushel baskets, large pressed fiber pots or even an old wheel barrow. If you want to plant tomatoes the container should be very deep but to plant radishes you only need about a 6-inch deep container. The larger the container and the more soil used will give the roots more room to spread and less watering on the gardeners’ part.
Be sure the containers you use have ample holes for drainage; they can be on the bottom or on the sides. The excess water needs to drain out so the roots do not get waterlogged. Most large containers have the holes on the bottom so elevating them on blocks or bricks will give the water a place to go. The larger the container the more drainage holes it will need. A well-aerated soil will not need any stones in the bottom because you want as much room as possible for the roots of the plant.
You need to check your containers a couple times a day, especially during the hotter days of summer, for moisture if you do not have self-watering planters or are not using a drip watering system. Your large containers can use a layer of mulch to help retain some of the moisture. You need to use outside water that has not been through a water softener; the salts used in a softener can be toxic to your plants. Collected rainwater is the best and cheapest water that can be used for your outdoor planter boxes.
With most of us living in concrete jungles, having a garden in your home can be considered nothing short of lucky! From a small flowerbed to a large lush green space, there is a lot you can do with your garden that helps put your own personal stamp on it. From installing garden ornaments to adding outdoor lighting, you are only limited by your imagination.
Plants of various colors and shapes add to the beauty of your garden. Think green holly, ivy or fuchsia. Consider enhancing the place further by creating live ornaments from plants. Prune them into columns and craft hedges that have everyone in awe. In fact you can enhance the look of the garden by creating an archway with plants such as draped wisteria vines. Alternately consider flanking the garden gates with bougainvillea. There will be many people wanting to get a sneak peek into this haven!
You could also consider a whole lot of other ornaments as a garden decor idea. A wrought-iron gate, a lantern or an iron bell hung on a tree, a bench are great outdoor accessories that add to the appeal. You can also repurpose old items such as those metal watering cans that make for lovely planters or those antique dresser drawers that add oodles of style. Pro tip-Ensure that all the decor elements are subtly placed though, so the garden doesn’t look too contrived or overdone.
Add charm to regular terracotta pots by doing them up in vibrant paint. You can also create a mosaic on those pots with broken ceramic pieces. They add loads of color and texture to your garden. If you run out of space, you can also look at creating a vertical garden with spray painted cans hung on a fence with lovely blooms.
Give your creativity free reign as you think of the garden furniture. You can turn a workbench into a place to display greenery as also a great venue for those potluck parties. Opt for a small table that adds a dash of color with a corner flower vase and just enough space to enjoy that morning cuppa. Outdoor lighting is another aspect that lends oodles of style to your garden. Go in for those bistro lights and savor their warm glow. Alternately you can also hang outdoor lanterns or those spring lights. The romance that they add to the garden is indescribable.
With a garden as charming as this, you certainly would want some privacy to be able to enjoy this calm haven. Opt for artificial plant wall coverings that are awfully easy to install and yet look like real foliage. That it is low on maintenance, is an added perk. You can also add to the charm with other artificial plant decor. Tree ferns and other colorful buds kept in beautiful pots create one enchanting space. Whoever said you need a green thumb to maintain a garden, hadn’t heard of these artificial plants.
Taking care of our plants and flowers is not very easy for most of us especially for those who have busy lifestyles. Gardening may be last in their priorities. So for those who love to garden but doesn’t have much time, the best way to take care of our plants is to choose the right planter boxes to use.
We usually put our plants on the ground or in ordinary pots. But using the right planter boxes can help a lot to make gardening easier for each one of us. Here are some factors that we should consider:
1. Durable materials. Outdoor planters should be made of durable materials so that it can withstand bad or strong weather conditions. Stone and fiberglass planters are just some of the durable planter boxes that are ideal for outdoor settings. Commercial planters are usually high in quality so their durability may be out of question.
2. Self-watering devices. Gardening would be easier for us if we choose outdoor planters that have self-watering devices. This will keep the plants and flowers moist for a long period of time. So this will reduce the number of times that we have to water them.
3. Size. Consider the size of the outdoor planter that you are going to use for your plants. Large planters may be necessary for trees or tall plants. Whereas small modern planters are ideal for your patio especially those that have beautiful designs.
4. Function. Planter boxes that have other functions other than being plant containers can be an added benefit for us. There are illuminated planters that can be a stylish source of light in our garden at night. They can also be an added protection for the plants so that they won’t be stepped on at the dark.
In this technologically-advanced world, it is now possible for everyone to maintain a beautiful garden at home. With the high quality and functional commercial planters, our plants and flowers will be well-taken cared of without taking much of our time. In addition to that, modern planters have excellent designs that can further enhance the beauty of our garden.
When organic matter has finished decomposing the end result is compost. Although there are many types of organic matter such as manure, leaves, garden waste and kitchen scraps etc. although there are many types of composting organic matter will eventually do its job with or without you.
Composting does not have be a difficult task, most people can achieve quick results it’s just a matter of managing your time properly. If you want your compost to be ready faster then let’s get started.
To start we will use kitchen and garden waste. The only materials required at this time are a shovel or pitchfork. If you do not know where to build your compost pile there are compost bins or tumblers that you can use. In this case we will just use the ground but in the future a bin is more effective and keeps unwanted animals from your site.
Make sure that the compost is a safe distance from the house. All you need now are the ingredients. In the house you can start to collect kitchen scraps in a large coffee can or you may even use a large pail with a lid. You know when to take the scraps to your compost when you start to smell an odor. Make sure not to mix the compost too much, start out by mixing the compost once a week or less. This will speed up the process your compost needs to complete itself.
Try to obtain grass clippings and leaves for your compost. Leaves will provide carbon and your kitchen scraps will provide nitrogen. Try to stay away from scraps that are oily or greasy this will only attract unwanted pests. The best things for your compost are egg shells, coffee grinds, tea bags, bones and even hair. Many baseball diamonds have used hair to get their grass started. Undertake if possible a search for green manure if you can, if not regular steer manure will do.
Once the organic matter has finished decomposing your will know by the texture and smell. When your compost has a strong odor your will know that it is not getting enough oxygen. If the end result smells woodsy or earthy then your compost is complete.
If you are concerned that you are using too much compost then stop worrying as your soil will never reject the amount that you use. The end result should be a proud yard, garden or plant you can enjoy.
Improving Soil with Compost
Soil modification is a key ingredient for how to start a garden. The content and texture of your soil is critical. To have a successful garden, you will need to have good soil. The best soil is not sandy, and it’s not too much like clay. It needs to be able to drain adequately, but hang on to enough moisture so that your plants don’t go thirsty. Too much sand and the water runs off, too much clay and you drown your plants. You may need to modify your soil before you start your garden.
If your soil sticks together, it’s too much like clay and you will need to amend it. If your soil is too sandy, meaning it won’t hardly stick together at all, you will also need to amend it. The way that you amend both kinds of soil is to add organic matter, or compost.
Luckily, organic matter is nothing more than plant or animal matter that is decomposing. The easiest way that you can add organic matter to your soil is to add compost or apply mulch. If you have a heavy clay like soil, it’s best to add manure, or green plant material since they break down more rapidly, instead of peat moss, straw or shredded bark, because they don’t break down as quickly. Even if you have good soil adding compost is always a good idea.
Adding compost to clay like soil makes it more pliable and improves its ability allow water to flow through. Sandy soil doesn’t have enough organic matter, so adding large amounts helps to give sandy soil a better ability to hold water. Large amounts of organic matter are likely to be needed to make your soil suitable. You will usually want to use a ratio of 2 to 1 compost to soil for it to be effective.
Air, water, minerals, and organic matter are all components of healthy soil. There are benefits of adding decomposed matter to good soil, in addition to compensating for poor soil like sand or clay, and that is it adds carbon, which promotes good bacteria growth, and it is more likely that you will have hearty plants.
You can’t have too much compost. In fact, you shouldn’t till your soil more than once or twice a year after you have worked in appropriate amounts of organic matter. This is because as the soil is turned, oxygen is added and it feeds the microbial activity that breaks down the organic matter. So if you don’t till it, it slows down the destruction of your organic matter.
If you invest the time to make sure you soil is healthy it will pay dividends when it comes to growing your garden.
You can compost for nothing ( zero pounds / dollars) by piling your garden and food waste up in a corner. How do you decide whether to pay 20, 60, 140 or even 900 pounds (yes really!) for a compost bin? You ‘justify’ the cash by convincing yourself of the ‘value’. We show you how to do this by checking the composting features meet your needs at a price you can afford.
Sounds like hard work – why not just go online, look for a 5 star ratings and best price – job done. Almost all the online reviews look like this “arrived/did not arrive on time (score 1-5), it was easy/hard to set up (score 1-5). I’d let you know how it works! The all important bit is missing – few return 12 months to let you know if it worked and how well.
We can summarize the process of how do choose the ‘right compost bin’ or the ‘best compost bin’ for you into seven steps:
Step 1 – WHY – define your goals
Step 2- WHERE – review your available space and site for the bin
Step 3 – WHAT & WHEN – how much garden and food waste you produce
Step 4 – EFFORT – how much time and effort you are willing to invest
Step 5 – HOW – which method (ex. hot, cold, digesters, vermicompost) and which bin features are essential and which are nice to have (ex. low odor, no rats, no flies, handle all food waste, kills pathogens, kills weed seeds)?
Step 6 – CHECK – build a feature list
Step 7 – MATCH – which compost bin will deliver the best price / performance
Before we go any further, let’s consider your time and effort to read this article. You might have the time and interest in composting to fully research the topic – if so read the detail below), but many will just want a ‘fast track’ to help them make a quick decision with a degree of confidence that they are choosing a one that will work.
The fast track
Read between the lines of the vendor marketing hype (that’s the polite term!).
Seek user recommendations. Ignore the ‘arrived/did not arrive’ on time, ‘easy/hard’ to assemble. Look for reviews that state “It works, it does what it says, I have great compost out fast, worth every penny, best compost bin used in 20 years.
Validate vendor promises (ex. compost in 7-days). Look for detailed scientific study from reputable independent organization that supports the claim. Walk away if nothing.
Check vendor ability – do they offer in-depth hands-on composting advice or just regurgitate the ‘list of things to compost’ that only applies to ‘cold’ composting? Look for advice that explains hot versus cold composting, how long it takes in each situation an why it differs when hot composting.
Look for vendors with ability in composting science & engineering. Composting obeys the laws of nature such as heat loss & cooling, rates/speed of biochemical reactions. You do not need to know about the science and engineering of composting – but I believe your compost bin vendor should.
For those who want to look into the detail, here is a little more depth around the seven steps to help you choose a compost bin
Step 1 – Consider your composting goals
Do you want to make lots of rich/great compost for your garden that will improve its fertility and cut down how much fertilizer and maybe even peat you use?
Do you just want to keep the garden tidy?
Do you want to make a more positive contribution to the environment by recycling all your food waste so your local council no longer has to collect and transport it to landfill?
Are you just fed up with allocating more and more of your flower or vegetable patch to overflowing compost bins that never seem to do anything?
What are your goals on sustainability, organic gardening, good use of limited resources.
Step 2 – Review your available space and site for the compost bin
Some compost bins need a certain site (ex. a sunny spot, or the opposite keep in the shade’, ‘only use on soil’, ‘do not use on clay soil’. You may have very little choice (ex. it needs to go on the concrete by the garage). Your site may limit your compost bin choice.
You might have a small garden and no space for a large compost bin, conversely you might have very large garden and taking 9 square feet for a traditional 3-bay compost bin system might pose no issues.
Do you want to the compost bin close to the kitchen so you can pop out easily in the rain to empty your food caddy?
Step 3 – Review the volume of garden and food waste you produce
Are you just going to compost seasonal garden waste (summer/autumn)
Do you want to compost grass cuttings (spring, summer, autumn)
Do you want to compost food waste – produced all year-round – ie compost through winter
How much of each type of waste do you have? In my experience, very few garden composters or food waste recyclers accurately know how many pounds of waste they produce. Very few want to record and measure it either. Choosing the right compost bin size is also further complicated as compost bins can (given the right conditions ‘hot compost’). Hot compost 32 times faster than a competitor bin that only facilitates ‘cold composting. So 5 gallons of waste a week in one bin would rapidly break down within a week, but in another bin build up over time and need a 100 gallon bin.
Step 4 – Consider if you want to ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ compost?
The headline benefits of ‘hot’ composting over ‘cold’ composting are:
Hot composting will destroy weed seeds – saving you time and effort in future
Hot composting will destroy dangerous bacteria – you can compost all food waste
Hot composting requires far less space to compost the same amount of waste
Hot composting requires dramatically less time (ex. 30 days Vs 360 days)
Hot composting works all year-round (cold heaps stop in winter below 5C)
Step 5 – How much time and effort you are willing to spend on composting
This is hard – everyone tends to answer – ‘none / minimal’. The more a vendor knows this is critical to your choice, the more pressure to use the term ‘easy’ and the bigger the potential expectation gap and likely hood of user disappointment. There is always some effort (ex. collecting food, turning, mixing, shredding). In our experience, it is easier when you follow simple steps. Investing the time to form habits is challenging – especially at the start when people perceive the habits are taking more time not saving time.
So, now you have a clear picture of what you want. Next, how do you check and match the compost bin against your composting goals?
Step 6 – Build a compost bin feature list
Build a feature list, find the top 10 commercial bins, score each feature, ignore those compost bins that do not fit your needs to produce a short list; then weight/score the remaining compost bins to find the best match.
Step 7 – Assess which compost bin will deliver the best price/performance
Score each compost bin against each feature to find the overall value for money score – the million dollar question!
Commercial Product managers do this kind of work as their day job – but it is likely very few composters, gardeners or food waste recyclers have the time or inclination to do this. Follow our link to the ‘compost bin competitive evaluation sheet’. You will find 12 widely available compost bins types and brands analyzed. You can play around with the scores and weighting to see which you think is best.
Healthy garden soil is teeming with life: there are earthworms and micro-organisms by the millions, each with a particular function in making soil fertile. Like any living thing, the soil must have food. Without food, the life in soil either leaves or dies. Eventually, the garden itself weakens and dies.
Soil life eats organic matter, decomposing it and creating a crucial soil element called humus. Humus is decayed organic material. The process of decomposition releases nutrients in forms that plants can absorb. In other words, decomposition of organic material has a fertilizing effect.
But fertility is only part of the value of regularly feeding the soil with organic material. Humus also contributes to the sponge-like soil texture that allows air circulation and moisture retention. Loam — the ideal soil for growing plants – is a balanced mixture of sand, clay, silt, and organic matter. Humus will bind sandy soil or loosen hard-packed clay.
For these beneficial results (for fertility and texture), the life in soil needs fresh food. Regular doses of organic material will ensure that garden dirt is enhanced rather than depleted over the lifetime of the garden. Every year, a 30 by 40 foot garden needs around 400 pounds (equivalent to 10 bales of hay) of organic material, but it doesn’t need to be added all at once.
Additions of organic material take a variety of forms. For starters, chop garden residues into the soil: weeds, mulch, and plants left after harvest. Hauling in compost by the yard from nurseries or hauling animal manures from nearby farms is also an option. But the easiest and most cost effective method of continuous additions of organic material is to grow cover crops, also known as green manures.
Cover crops are grown and tilled into the soil, replenishing rather than removing nutrients. Even in a small garden, this is an effective method when a harvest crop and a green manure are grown in rotation. For instance, plant a late summer green manure after an early crop such as peas or broccoli.
Some suggestions for cover crops include legumes, buckwheat, and rye grass.
Legumes such as peas and soybeans fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil when inoculated seeds that attract certain micro-organisms are used. In addition, these legumes are vegetables, making a single planting both a harvest crop and a green manure.
For bulk and quick growth, rye grass or other annual grains are good choices. In colder climates these are especially good cover crops for the end of summer because they die over the winter and are easy to till in the spring. For the poorest soils, buckwheat is most useful.
Green manures can work with or without using powered equipment, but in larger gardens a rotor-tiller certainly makes the process easier. In smaller gardens, the question of whether it makes financial sense to invest in renting or buying a rotor-tiller has to be weighed against the cost of hauling in compost and animal manures.
Either way – hauling or tilling – some form of additional organic material beyond chopping in garden residues must happen in order for the soil to function and for the plants it supports to thrive.
We all have a garden planter or two dotted around our gardens, perhaps filled with a specimen plant or a seasonal display. But there is a lot to be said for using containers as the design basis for creating a garden. Containers are probably one of the most versatile forms of gardening, allowing you not only to choose type of container but also the plant and its location. There are many advantages to container gardening. You can move your containers to different locations within your garden, thereby creating an instantly different effect. You can change planting displays as often as you like, perhaps making the most of the choice of different seasonal plants. You can also grow plants which like different soil types to your own by simply filling them with the right type of compost.
There are an ever increasing number of different types of container you can buy, with materials and designs to suit every climate and different tastes. Pots and tubs are probably the most popular type of planter available. They are for the most part versatile and easily moved to different positions in the garden. Pots and tubs come in an enormous variety of sizes and designs, both traditional and modern. Materials vary from moss covered terracotta and artificially aged stone planters, to reused car tires and fiber glass. There are no rules when it comes to choosing a type of container and there is no reason why you can’t combine traditional with modern. Just be aware that your designs and materials complement each other in some way.
Pots and tubs are equally as versatile when it comes to planting. You can grow almost anything you like in a container. Formally clipped box and other evergreens look stunning as focal points, as do specimen standard plants such as bay trees. Group a number of planters of different sizes together with a plant type such as herbs. A particularly stunning planter can be filled with seasonal annuals for an all year round display.
Window boxes are another great way to grow plants and enhance the appearance of your house and garden. Window boxes are particularly useful if you have a tiny garden or even if you have no garden at all! You can buy ready- made window boxes, have them made bespoke to your requirements or simply make your own. Window boxes don’t have to be made of wood. I have seen some beautifully aged metal ones as well as reconstituted stone ground-level boxes. Grow seasonal displays or plant up a box outside your kitchen window with herbs or easy to grow edibles like lettuce.
Hanging baskets are probably the most versatile of all containers. They can be hung on walls, fences and even in trees. Not only can your display be changed from season to season, but you can also grow edible plants such as tumbling tomatoes and strawberries and even a selection of herbs, hung near your kitchen door. Hanging baskets also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. More traditionally made from wicker, but I have seen some great modern alternatives made from brightly colored plastics.
Troughs and sinks can be used to create mini container gardens in one place. Although strictly speaking you can grow anything you like in a trough shaped planter, the lack of depth makes them more suited to growing alpines and herbs. Stone troughs probably look the best in any garden but why not also think about getting hold of an old Belfast sink which looks particularly effective when planted with herbs under a kitchen window.
Another type of container not readily thought about is the raised bed. Raised beds are a great way of growing both vegetables and garden plants. They are easy to maintain and therefore popular with gardeners with impaired mobility. They are also an easy way of adding structure to an otherwise flat garden space, lifting plants higher up and creating the illusion of different levels to a garden.
Some Container Planting Rules
If you are going to maintain a healthy container garden, there are a few rules you will need to follow whatever type of planter. Drainage is all important for container grown plants. Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes and always add some broken pot or crocks to the bottom of the planter to aid drainage. If your container is to be placed on a hard surface, sit it on some feet to raise it above ground level slightly. Use the right type of compost. Try not to overcrowd your container, most plants will need plenty of room to spread their roots and grow into healthy specimens. Conversely, don’t let your plants become pot-bound. Although there are a few plants which do well in these conditions, as a rule, either divide you plant or re-pot it into a larger container.
In extremely cold weather both your containers and their plants will need some protection. For those that are not frost hardy it is probably best to over winter them into a cold greenhouse. Others can be wrapped in straw or fleece to protect them from frost.
Perhaps the most important consideration of all for container grown plants is water. During dry weather in the summer months you will have to make sure your pots are well watered. Materials like terracotta dry out quickly as the clay absorbs water, so you will often find yourself having to water at least twice a day. Early morning and evening is best. During the winter water container plants sparingly. Waterlogged containers easily freeze killing the roots of the plants in them.
I am a firm believer that a garden reflects some of the personality of the gardener who tends it. Garden planters are a great way of putting your stamp on a garden, particularly if you are a little bit quirky! I have seen old wooden boats used as planters, odd worn out walking boots, pan tiles, antique wash tubs, old car tires and even a disused toilet!
Reusing Plastic Containers and Planters
Anyone who has a garden or ever got a potted plant has had to deal with those seemingly useless plastic pots. Most people throw them out. I save them until they crumble-re-using over and over again. They can be the “greenest” item in your garden that save you the most green.
I have a very small gardening space including containers but big or small practical ways maybe “green” now but will always make sense far after being GREEN loses fashion.
So what to do with all those unsightly plastic pots? Whether you have an established garden or just starting out; when you buy plants you will have to deal with re-using or disposing of them.
Plastic pots have an endless amount of uses in the garden. So before you just think re-cycle re-think they can save you money before tossing them out:
• Seeds eventually become seedlings needing a larger pot; having pots on hand is both convenient and cost-saving.
• Small pots make excellent large pot fillers. Place a small pot upside down in a larger one then fill with soil and plant. Container is lighter with less soil used.
• Instead of throwing out the cell flats, crumble up and use as a large container filler too. [Or wash and use as packing material.]
• Place invasive plants inside of the pot then plant in the ground for keeping them in-check.
• Have too many plants? Bought too many? Divide both annuals and perennials using pots to share plants. Don’t have to worry about loaning out your expensive ones.
• Don’t have drainage holes in that pretty container? Put plant in a plastic pot then place inside the prettier one. [Don’t forget to pour out any excess water.]
• Wish you could afford more expensive containers? Take plastic pots, spray paint assorted colors then add decorative ribbons, beads or sphagnum moss to make appealing.
• Don’t like to water? Plastic holds moisture longer so use instead of terra cotta [I still recommend terra cotta for herbs in almost all instances.] Works for indoor/outdoor plants.
• Just planted a new plant? Use plastic container as a cloche or shield to protect until established.
• Threat of frost? Use containers to cover tender plants. Use 2 pots together to block out holes and create a better insulator.
• Weeding. Keep containers around as receptacles when pulling them out.
• Use to make compost or save potting soil.
• Use small pots as scoops for mulch, fertilizer, etc.
• Use to prop up other containers to create different plant levels.
• Use to hold garden tools.
• Plant below ground level then put smaller pots filled with annuals for easy change-ups.
• Storing bulbs or use for overwintering plants.
As you can see the possibilities are endless. These are the pots that cost nothing but continue to save you money over and over again. $$$$$. How Green is that?
5 Gallon Buckets in the Garden
Continuing the discussion of how important the often underestimated 5 gallon buckets at home, we are now revealing how we can make the best use of these pails in the garden.
As pots
Although the appearance of the 5 gallon pails may not look as charming as the real gardening pots, they are highly functional and cheaper. Good quality 5 gallon buckets cost between $ 3 and $ 6; which is nothing compared to gardening pots’ price. With some little preparation, the pails can be turned into flower pots instantly.
All you have to do is to drill the bottom of the 5 gallon buckets with ½ or ¼-inch holes to allow water drainage. 10 to 15 holes are enough for 5 gallon pails. Next is to fill in the buckets with good quality potting soil and fertilizer. It is now ready to be planted.
If you care about upgrading the look of the modest 5 gallon pails, you may want to put more time before filling in with soil. Get some paint with the color you like, paint the pails, give some accents with different colors of paint, and dry it completely. Remember to paint only on the outer side for vegetables and herbs gardening. You don’t want the vegetables you grow to take the chemical substance of the paint since you will be eating them later.
Another advantage of having 5 gallon buckets garden is that it is extremely practical. You can move the pots wherever and whenever you want. If the growing season is over, you can pile them up and store the soil for the next gardening season, or you can just move them indoor if the plant thrives to survive there. The 5 gallon buckets also make it more difficult for animals like rabbits to destroy your plants.
Now you have not only a cheap way to grow your herbs and plants, but also creative and practical ways too.
As compost containers
Compost plays an important role in the life of a plant. Good homemade compost even plays more important role in the environment. Oddly enough, your plastic 5 gallon pails can help make this happen. As the container of compost making.
First of all, you should drill ¼-inch holes around the sides of the bucket. This will allow air circulation and water drainage. Line the bottom of the pail with dry leaves and soil. After that, dump your table scraps like vegetables, napkins, eggshells, coffee grounds or tea bags inside the bucket. Avoid milk and meaty stuff since this could attract vermin. Cover again with dry plant debris and soil. Do one dry layer after the wet one continuously and wait until the 5 gallon pail is filled up. Have a lid to close the pail and let the microorganisms work the compost. Check it out from time to time whether it is too dry or too wet. If it is too dry, add some water and move it to a shadier place. If it is too wet, place it under the sun to dry a little bit. This process takes from several weeks to months to complete.
The better pails to use for homemade composting are the ones in dark colors. Black will be the best. It will absorb more heat for the microorganisms to live under the shade.
If you use 5 gallon buckets in your garden for those purposes mentioned above, you will definitely promote an environment friendly gardening and at the same time save money for a better use at home.
