Tips to choose the right container for your plants

Tiny apartments or large size bungalow, a proper gardening can change the beauty of the surroundings, and gardening in containers can no doubt add a new color to it.
There are  three main elements for creating containers for gardens are:

1. Choosing the pots
2. Getting the right planting medium
3. Selecting the plants

These elements will help you to have healthy plants for your garden. To have a healthy plant, watering the plant is necessary and free movement of water and air is essential.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best ways to make your garden healthy and beautiful.

Location:

Select a spot for the garden and as per the location decide on a suitable container. For example, a wooden pot would not suit a modern balcony, neither classic urn shaped pots will fit into any traditional home. Not only look for style of the pot, also the size and proportion is necessary.

Weight:

The container should be spacious and heavy enough to carry the weight of the plant with the soil in it. The container should be heavy enough to avoid tipping, if you have a breezy outdoor. Even the base on which it is, should sustain the weight of the container.

Materials :

The very common yet the most adorable pots are clay or terracotta pots that  complement numerous flowering plants. The positive factor is, its natural clay releases moisture through its wall and also helps in proper drainage of water. It keeps root dry and prevents from damp or any other root diseases. Dryness helps but not for long, hence frequent watering required.

In winters, clay pots should be protected to prevent from cracking. While planning for glazed container, you need to keep in mind that its non-porous which prevents moisture from releasing out, and can create root diseases. It is always best to use with a regular terracotta pot inside of them.

However, plastic pots are economical, lightweight and functional and are available in wide range of shapes, sizes and colors. You can apply faux finish to make it attractive or slip in the  plastic pots inside the containers.

Plants do grow well in plastic pots if you properly mix the soil and pour required amount of water. If you tend to under water your plants, then plastic pot is the best solution.

Even wood containers give a naturalistic environment. It drains much better than plastic pot but a disadvantage is, it does not have the capacity to release moisture like clay. Hardwood is advisable such as redwood, cedar or cypress which tend to rot less over time. Lining wood containers with heavy-duty plastic bags will give you added protection from moisture, but as mentioned earlier, proper drainage is very essential.

Metal containers can also be used in modern settings for the home garden.  Containers which are galvanized are best for planting, as they will not leach rust or chemicals into the soil. You need to maintain proper drainage or slip other pots inside it.

The above mentioned items can boost the beauty of container gardening.  But do avoid planting them directly in watering cans, old boots, teapots or wheelbarrows  because they will damage the  drainage and air movement around the roots of the plants.