How to Choose and Prepare Garden Pots for Your Container Garden

What are the ideal garden pots and planters that make up a container garden? Though it may not be an artistic masterpiece, a container should be pleasing to the eyes. It should be durable enough to survive every weather condition. This should apply to all containers that are kept outside throughout the year.

Depending on the area you live in, different weather conditions such as extreme sun and heat, excessive humidity, freezing cold and thawing are factors that fade and damage containers. These conditions should be greatly considered when planning your container garden.

The best containers for your garden should be big enough to contain the right amount of soil. It should have openings at the sides or bottom to provide proper drainage. It should be rust-resistant at least for a while and should be wide enough at the bottom to support it firmly in place. It should also be sufficiently heavy to hold up to windy conditions.

Being able to move your container garden when needed is an advantage and a precautionary measure as well. Large containers can be equipped with wheels or rested on mobile platforms.

During extreme weather conditions like cyclones and heavy snow, portable containers can be moved to a protective shelter. Heavy containers can be moved by two or more individuals with rollers. It is, however, a good idea to maintain small containers if you reside in a storm-prone area.

Unless you are using plastic garden pots, your containers should be resistant to rot. A wood preservative is the best protection for wooden containers, except for redwood, cypress and cedar which all have natural resistance to rot.

Start your gardening with clean garden containers since the health of your plants will depend on this. Whether new or used, clay gardening pots should be soaked overnight to prevent moisture absorption from the soil following planting. Moisture absorption by pots can deprive new plants of much-needed nutrition from the soil. Clean gardening pots look attractive in a container garden so you must clean the dirty clay pots with hot water and a stiff brush.

Paints and stains can protect and enhance the look of garden containers. Clean the containers, apply a coat or two of paint or stain, and let dry completely. Cypress cedar and redwood can also be painted, although you can leave them natural. Similarly, containers made of metal concrete, plastic and other materials should be cleaned before planting.

Knowing the ideal garden pots and how to prepare them before planting is a great step when you start your own container garden.

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