Stake Provident Living Meeting- April 6, 2011
Janeel Burningham- 5th ward Provident Living Leader
There's no better place to start a simple garden than in a container, But also you can fit a pot into the smallest of spaces. Container gardens are also relatively inexpensive.
Things to consider:
1. Container: Any containers are possible, just stay away from narrow necked containers. Select your container according to plant size and number of plants in each. Make sure your container has drainage holes. You can add Styrofoam peanuts or small extra pots turned upside down in the bottom of a container to use less soil and make it less heavy. Wood containers can rot from constant water contact. Clay and ceramic pots are not winter hardy. Expansion from freezing water can crack the pot.
2.Soil: Loose potting soil works best so dirt doesn't compact and oxygen stays at the roots of your plants. Some soils are available with fertilizer added.
3. Water: Container gardens need water every day in hot weather. When planting seeds, water garden with a light spray nozzle so seeds don't get washed away. The amount of sun exposure will affect the frequency of watering and plants can sunburn.
4. Plants: You can start your own seeds or buy plants from garden centers. There is a wide variety of plants available so experiment with some fun combinations.
Advantages of container gardening:
You can move containers around to different areas of your yard.
Containers can be changed with the seasons.
Invasive plants can be controlled by planting them in a container (example: Mint)
Sources:
1. "The Simple Garden" Burpee Gardens (2008)
2. Personal experience and experimentation.
Here is another great publication that the church recommends:
