Tuesday, April 19, 2011

How to Make a Patio Garden


Patio gardens are becoming more popular as more and more people are confined to an apartment or other buildings where there is no access to a garden. One of the reasons is to avoid the harmful pesticides that are often found on conventional produce. It is also very convenient to have fresh produce on hand when needed.

The disadvantage of a patio garden is that you can only grow a small crop, unless you have large patio. Plus, you have to have a lot of pots that are suitable for each type of plant.

Use Suitable Pots

All plants need to have enough soil in order for the roots to expand, and each type of plant varies. That means that some pots will require that you use a larger pot in order for them to grow and produce. In general, the height and the width of the plant determine the size of the pot. For example, if a plant grows about a foot tall, the pot should be about a foot in height as well.

When choosing your pots, keep in mind that the darker colored pots, as well as plastic pots will attract more heat from the sun, and therefore, they should be avoided.

Make the Most Out Of the Space

Most likely space is limited, especially if you are forced to plant your garden in pots on your patio. But there are a few things that you can do that will help you to make the most out of your space. One of the things that you can do is grow your vegetables such as cucumbers vertically. You can place a trellis directly into the pot, or you can place the pot up against a railing of the patio. If you have a roof over the patio, then you can also use hanging pots to help you save space. Hanging the pots from a stand will work just as well too.

Water Frequently

Plants that are grown in a garden can go a long time before they need watering, as the roots will continue to draw up water from the earth. With pots it is different, however, because the roots cannot connect with the earth. Therefore, watering frequently becomes a necessity, as the plants should not be allowed to dry out. Once in a while is okay, however, as long as they don't dry out too much.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that the plants should not be over watered either. A moist soil is good, but a soggy soil can cause damage to the roots. To prevent this from happening, the pots should have at least one hole to drain any excess water.