You can almost grow any herb, plant, or flower in a container garden that you would normally plant outdoors. The secret is to use your creativity and come up with some unique ideas for your container garden.

To accomplish this, you will need to do your homework, develop you own original container gardening ideas, get all the tools, plants, and accessories you need, and roll up your sleeves and get busy. Sure, there will be some hard work, but the fruits of your labor will be exhilarating.
Ideas for Container Gardening are Endless

image: patio container garden
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If you enjoy gardening but do not have a lot of time or space for a large garden, consider container gardening. It makes no difference if you have forty acres in the country or an apartment terrace in the city, you can participate in this enjoyable pastime.

Container gardening is a popular alternative to traditional methods of gardening and is the perfect solution when space is at a premium. The concept is not new as flowers have been grown in pots and window boxes for years. Gardeners are now including vegetables, strawberry plants, and citrus trees in their container gardens.

Container gardening ideas are limitless. Any container that can hold a plant, water, and enough soil to support it nutritionally can be used. Too much water will cause your plants to rot, so remember that drainage is an important factor.

Sand should be mixed with the potting soil and holes drilled in the bottom of the container to facilitate drainage. Containers made of wrought iron, plastic, alabaster, wood, recycled plastic, concrete, terra cotta, metal, or wire make suitable containers and can be purchased at garden centers anywhere.
The Best Place to Look For Container Gardening Ideas: Your Home

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image: three containers in small gardenOne of the best places to look for container gardening ideas is your own home. Look around for unique containers and let your imagination run wild. Take that old pair of work boots or sneakers sitting on the basement steps, fill with potting soil, and add a colorful begonia. This makes an eye catching accent piece on a porch or deck.

Other items that make unique containers are buckets, watering cans, crocks, barrels, and old pots and pans. People have even found uses for old appliances.

Just imagine a wringer washing machines blooming with brightly colored Gerber daisies sitting in your backyard. One of the most unusual container gardening ideas I have ever seen was a bedpan planted with impatiens.

Other ideas for containers include the following: metal pails, a plastic-lined bushel basket, wire frames lined with sphagnum moss, metal window boxes, ceramic pots, hanging planters, a child's red metal wagon, and clay or plastic pots.
Container Gardens: Flowers, Plants, Herbs and Vegetables

The plants used in container gardens can be as varied as the containers. Flowers and houseplants come to mind first when selecting plants, but don't overlook vegetables or strawberry plants. Wouldn't it be great to walk out onto your deck and pick a ripe, home grown tomato to use in your salad? Do you enjoy fresh strawberries but don't have room for a berry patch? Strawberry plants can be raised in specially made terra cotta pots image: loads of containers in gardenor hanging baskets. Choose plants that are as unique as their containers.

Container gardens are not just for the outdoors. Houseplants in attractive containers are perfect for people who spend most of their day indoors and long to bring a bit of nature inside. Do you like to use fresh herbs in your recipes? Grow pots of rosemary, basil, and oregano on your kitchen windowsill to keep you supplied.

Many people would like to add a water feature to their landscape but don't have the space or time for the upkeep. A water container garden is affordable, easy to maintain, and takes up a small amount of space. Wooden half barrels with plastic liners or containers made of clay or plastic are perfect for water gardens. Just add water and plants.

If you need help finding container gardening ideas there are many web sites full of helpful information. And don't forget your local public library for books on container gardening.
Container Gardening Ideas: Conclusion

image: garden container in garden walkwayThe ideas for container gardening are as endless as your imagination. Not only this, but container gardening can be functional as well as pleasing to the senses. For instance, in addition to foliage and flowers, you can also plant vegetables such as peppers, lettuce, peas, squash, tomatoes, and herbs into containers and add a little bit of homegrown, zesty taste to your meals.

Copyright 2009 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and give the author credit.
About the Author

Denny Soinski writes about garden decor, gardening, bronze garden sculptures, water fountains, and outdoor metal sculptures. For more information, please visit http://www.water-fountains-and-garden-decor.com right away!