August 9th, 2011
By Jill Homer
My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban complex, far displaced from the groomed suburban landscapes and sprawling gardens I had grown up with. My only connection to the outdoors was a small porch, surrounded by brown siding and a fading carpet of artificial turf.
To add a little color to the patio, I adopted a few small tomato plants from a friend who had started his garden indoors, and planted them in large pots near my railing. To my surprise, they started to grow. Soon I had filled the 5′ x 10′ space with more than a dozen ceramic pots, plastic containers, and beach pails filled with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and pole beans. Before I knew it, my porch was a curtain of green and my meals regularly featured home-grown vegetables.
Well-planned patio gardens allow gardeners to make the most of a small space while maintaining a degree of control not available to those who plant in the ground. If a plant is not getting enough sun, it can be moved. If it is not draining properly, more holes can be added. Healthy plants prevent pests, and some, such as slugs, are not even a factor. Watering is more efficient, because it must be done by hand, making a patio garden ideal in a drought situation. And at the end of the year, even inexperienced gardeners can enjoy a bounty of vegetables thanks to the built-in advantages of garden containers, which include regular drainage and nutrient-rich soil.
Herbs also make great container plants, as they survive in generally drier conditions. Pots offer the opportunity of bringing herbs inside when the weather gets colder. However, many herbs are fast-growing, so it’s best replant the container each spring.
Starting a patio garden is not difficult. Here are a few tips:
1. Start with 4″ plants, which can be found at most nurseries. With a little creativity, just about any vegetable can be planted in an above-ground container, however, the most common seem to be tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, beans, and spinach
2. The size of a plant can vary depending on the variety of seedling used. Make sure containers are large enough to accommodate a full-sized plant. Most tomatoes will need at least an 18″ square container. Peppers, however, are perfectly happy in smaller pots.
3. Cover the holes at the bottom of the container with small rocks to improve the soil drainage.
4. Part-fill the container with compost. A slow-release fertilizer can be added at this stage to distribute nutrients as the compost dries out. Fill the remaining space with a nutrient-rich planting soil.
5. Water the plants and let them drain. Take them out of their pots and arrange in the container, packing in tightly. Fill in any gaps and firm all the plants in place. Keep the soil below the rim of the pot for easier watering.
6. Water the container well and move it to its final position. Arrange plants according to their needs. Tomatoes prefer a south-facing porch with full sun, while spinach and lettuce are happier near the house in partial shade. Make sure the place where you want to plant gets at least six hours of direct sun every day.
7. Trellises, cages or poles will be needed for tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and other vines. Patio gardeners can also take advantage of permanent features, such as fences and railings, to support their plants.
8. Containers need to be watered at least once a day in summer. They also require regular fertilization. A fertilizer dilutor can be clipped on to the hose to feed plants as you water.
With just a little time and imagination, any drab patio can become home to lush green vines, red peppers, juicy tomatoes, and succulent cucumbers. Why not start today?
About The Author
Jill Homer is a freelance writer who is happy to provide articles for your home and gardening needs. For more information, contact her at jill@biketoshine.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Homer
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Posted in The Outdoors | leave a comment » | Posted by Susan
October 15th, 2009
Whether you have a large garden or a small one container gardening should be included in your planning. City dwellers have been container gardening for centuries. Indoors or outdoors you can grow beautiful arrangements that will make your proud.
When choosing your arrangement try to pick plants that require the same maintenance and light. If you travel frequently pick a container that is self-watering. Some soils also help with infrequent watering.
If your space is very small try choosing one type of plant and have a collection. A collection of African Violets in a kitchen window is very cheerful.
For your terrace you can go with larger containers of small trees or ferns. Grouping pots that are different heights make an interesting space. Also think of using old things that were not meant to be pots as containers. The possibilities are endless. Mix pot styles for a more eclectic look. You can create privacy using plants.
14 Plant Watering System, White
Description of Container above
15-1/2″ Wyndham Planter, Merlot
Our Wyndham planters will maintain their beautiful, high gloss looks without cracking or fading. The secret is a special lamination process that makes them three times stronger than standard fiberglass as well as chip and scratch resistant. Self-watering, with a 1-gallon reservoir. Looks like ceramic, without the weight Extremely strong and weather-resistant Resists cracking, chipping, fading and scratching We recommend our Self-Watering Container Mix Made of fiberglass and plastic with high gloss finish 15-1/2″ diameter x 12-1/2″ H Weighs 4 lbs., holds 12 qts. of soil 1-gallon water reservoir Drainage hole with removable plug Note: Protect from freezing weather.
Posted in The Outdoors | leave a comment » | Posted by Susan
October 15th, 2009
One of my earliest memories of home-grown tomatoes was from my Italian grandmother’s garden in the heart of Philadelphia. She grew tomatoes in large containers since backyards in the city are paved. Her tomatoes were in good company with her herb garden and her magnificent roses.
So whether you have a large garden on just a terrace you can grow tomatoes. In a relatively small space you can produce 8 to 10 pounds of tomatoes. Select soil that is slightly acid and purchase a fertilizer that is recommended for tomatoes.
Planting
Choose a stake or a cage to support your plants. Plant your staked tomatoes 2 feet apart in rows and an additional foot for caged plants. If your planting in a container I recommend Tomato Growing Kit from Gardeners.com.
Staked plants should be pruned and tied loosely with soft twine. Once your plants are set, mulch to prevent weeds.
Keep the soil moist around the roots so the tomatoes won’t wilt.
Tomato Success Kit – Tomato Success Kit, Terra Cotta
Over the years, our Tomato Success Kits have helped thousands of gardeners grow big crops of healthier, tastier tomatoes. Eliminating the “drought and drown” cycle and sending a steady flow of nutrients and water will help your tomatoes outperform garden-grown plants by 30% or more. The heart of the system is our patented self-watering planter with a 4-gallon reservoir, and we include a two-part stacking tomato cage, 40 quarts of our exclusive soil mix, 1 pound of Organic Tomato Fertilizer and a sheet of red Tomato Yield Booster Mulch. Two-part stacking cage grows with your plants Add the optional Cage Extension for extra-tall tomatoes Optional Casters (sold separately) or the Tomato Success Trolley make the kit mobile Dress up the Tomato Success Kit with our new 14″ Wood Enclosure or 31″ Wood Enclosure Choice of Terra Cotta or Green Self-Watering Planter: 26″ L x 19-3/4″ W x 10-1/2″ H Tomato Cage: 15″ W x 22″ D x 31″ H with 7″ legs (38″ overall) Kit includes our Self-Watering Planter, Tomato Yield Booster Mulch, one Tomato Support Cage, 40 quarts of Self-Watering Container Mix, 1 pound of organic 5-6-5 fertilizer (contains peanut meal) and a top-fill tube with water level indicator. Tomato plants not included Rust-resistant cage clips prevent toppling.
Posted in The Outdoors | leave a comment » | Posted by Susan
October 14th, 2009
If you love to entertain outdoors even in cooler weather, setting up proper outdoor heating is the key to enjoying your backyard to the utmost. When the cooler time of year rolls around and temperatures plummet, this is often a great excuse to enjoy an outdoor fire and spend time with friends and family trying to stay warm and toasty.
There is more than one way to heat an outdoor space. The simplest option is to purchase a wood and pellet burning fire pit – the most elaborate solution involves installing a large outdoor fireplace that runs off gas. In the end, the type of outdoor heating you select will be determined by what you need, your budget and by the look you want for your patio or backyard garden.
Fire Pits
If you don’t spend a lot of time in your backyard, it may be easier and less expensive to purchase a fire pit. Fire pits are also great if you have limited space on your patio. If you’re going for a simple rustic theme in your backyard, a fire pit is the perfect way to top off the whole look. Plus,
fire pits are entirely portable so you can move them around your patio or garden to wherever heat is needed.
Outdoor Fireplaces
If you are looking for a more elegant and sophisticated look and want to entertain a large amount of family and friends, an outdoor fireplace may be the perfect solution for you. And because
outdoor fireplaces are often fueled by gas, it’s very easy to get a fire going.
Outdoor fireplaces do have some disadvantages however. They can be expensive. You can only install it in one spot, and don’t have the option of moving it at a later date. You also have to plan ahead and make sure the fireplace integrates well into your dÈcor and meets local government requirements.
Chimineas
Chimineas are another option to consider. They are a great way to add a unique look to your backyard and keep you warm. They are beautiful works of art that provide heating for a large area.
Chimineas have actually been around for hundreds of years. They are large clay structures with a hole in one side for providing heat. Basically, a
chiminea is a simple or rustic fireplace made out of clay. Traditionally, they were used for heating the home and preparing meals, but today they have been adapted to modern life and make great space heaters for outdoor use.
In the past chimineas were made out of a single piece of fired clay, but today they are constructed out of more than one type of material. You can still find them in clay if that is what you’re looking for, however they’re also available in cast iron and cast aluminum.
Patio Heaters
Patio heaters are a popular choice for outdoor heating. They are reasonably priced and are portable so can be moved around the patio or garden as required. They come in free standing or table top. Ensure that you determine the area you wish to heat prior to purchasing a patio heater. The more heat required, the more powerful the patio heater needs to be. Also ensure that the patio heater is fairly stable and has an anti-tilt shut-off device.
Finding the right space heater for your backyard patio or garden doesnít have to be difficult. Do your research and you should be able to find something that works well for you and your family, at a price you can afford.
Visit Outdoor-heating-guide.com – A consumer guide to outdoor heating including safety tips for outdoor fireplaces, firepits, infrared patio heaters, tabletop patio heaters, chimineas and gas outdoor heaters.
Posted in The Outdoors | leave a comment » | Posted by Susan