Garden Tips

Whoever said, the best things come in small packages, was right-at least when it comes to container gardens. Sometimes the most charming gardens are, in fact, the smallest. Few can deny the appeal of petunias, geraniums, and ivy spilling over the sides of a window box. Or the welcome surprise of finding lush plantings of lavender and clematis, even juniper, on a city balcony. Whether you have limited space or simply enjoy gardening on a smaller scale, container gardens offer a world of opportunity. And with a little care, your miniature garden will flourish all summer long.

One of the most important steps in creating a container garden is choosing the right container and preparing it properly. You can select the more traditional terra-cotta pot or concrete urn, or you can use your imagination to turn a child's swimming pool, a trash bin, or even an old boot into a floral oasis. If your container doesn't have drainage holes, punch a few in the bottom. Line the bottom with galvanized screening to cover the holes, then fill the container with a one- to four-inch layer of stone or gravel, depending on the size of the container: The bigger the container, the greater the amount of stone. Top off the stone with loam-based soil that is free of debris and weeds. If you are planting vegetables like tomatoes or pole beans, or climbing plants like morning glory, insert a cage or canes when the plants are young to provide support and establish upward movement early.

Adequate watering is vital to container gardening because soil in a container dries out much faster than soil in the ground. You may want to set up a drip irrigation system on a timer. You can buy a ready-made kit or create your own: Simply punch holes in an old garden hose, plug the open end, and set up a timer to switch on the water a few times a day. Your containers will need to be near a water source, so plan ahead.

You will find that several varieties of vegetables and flowers are just perfect for container gardening. In fact, peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes are easier to pick when grown on a stake or trellis inside a pot. Sunflowers, especially smaller varieties such as 'Big Smile' and 'Teddy Bear', can bring a dose of sunshine to any drab corner. And popular standbys, like marigolds, pentunias, and geraniums, look enchanting sprouting from window boxes. Don't be afraid to mix these and other annuals with vegetables when creating your displays.

Growing plants in containers allows you to create a garden almost anywhere-in the corner of a terrace, on a porch, or over the side of a balcony. And you're not only creating a garden, but a living, breathing, everchanging work of art.

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