What’s easy to maintain, moveable, and endlessly customizable? That’s right- container gardening isn’t just for the front porch steps anymore, and can provide function beyond beauty when you include veggies and edible flowers in the mix! Container gardening bypasses the need to prep and improve native soil conditions as you would need to in a traditional garden. In this video, Ashley and Doug are going to show you how to think outside the box from choosing a container to deciding what to plant, and how to ensure optimal lighting.
Pick a Planter
First thing’s first: decide what kind of planter you’d like. Select a size and style (i.e. stone, terracotta, fabric, plastic, etc.) that not only suits your preferences, but creates a healthy environment for your plants. Shorter, wider containers will hold water closer to the plants’ roots in contrast to one that is taller and more narrow. For plants that prefer a drier environment, a taller pot allows for a greater air-to-water ratio as gravity pulls the water downward towards the drainage holes.
Thrillers, Fillers, & Spillers
Doug has refreshed his 200 gallon fabric pot from last season with PittMoss and compost and is ready to start placing his plants. There’s a formula you can use to optimize your container space, playfully referred to in the garden industry as thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Just remember, you want to choose companion plants or those that will live in harmony with each other! Your thriller, or the eye-catching vertical centerpiece of the container, can be anything from ornamental grasses, blooming plants, or large foliage. If you want to incorporate edible elements like Doug and Ashley, choose some luscious greens like kale or swiss chard!
The fillers surrounding your thriller will add mass to the container. Starting at the back, Doug and Ashley are planting balsam, a hardy type of impatien that at maturity will be 3 to 4 feet tall. It’s always a good idea to incorporate some type of flowers to help the pollinators, who will in turn benefit the growth of your garden! Moving toward the center, we’ve got peppers, onions, herbs, lettuce, and dandelion greens, creating a lovely carpet of green. Remember, lettuce wants cool weather- plant it somewhere that will receive morning sun and afternoon shade, and you’ll have a happy harvest! Now, you may be curious as to why a master gardener has selected dandelions for his garden. A little known fact about this weed that everyone tries so hard to get rid of is that they are incredibly nutritious!
Last but not least, let’s talk about spillers. These plants will soften the edges of your container by draping down the sides. Popular spillers include vines, petunias, and bacopas. In this case, Doug and Ashley have chosen nasturtium, which produce beautiful, vibrant (and edible) flowers, perfect for garnishing cocktails and or adding color to salads!
Don’t be afraid to explore all the possibilities of container gardening, and enjoy the creative process of growing functional, living art!
Additional sources:
https://www.greenhousestudio.co/home-garden/pot-plant-size-shape
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