January can be the perfect month to start an apartment garden (if you start your seedlings indoors)! Bring a little green to your home with these great tips from ohmyapt.com:
The size of your containers is important. Unless you’re growing seedlings or very small single plants, you don’t want to use containers that are particularly small. This will restrict the root system and negatively impact the plant’s growth. Remember, smaller containers retain less water than larger spreads of soil, so your container garden will require more frequent watering. You may want to look into layering some pebbles, mulch, or shavings over the soil to help keep in moisture.
Consider climate
Most types of plants can be grown in containers, but some varieties will thrive better than others. Annuals can be a good choice, as there’s less need to be preoccupied with the plants’ winter needs, and you can change things up with more frequency. Depending on your climate and commitment, plants designed for arid conditions like cacti and succulents can lend great variety and color to your container garden without requiring much watering or other care. You might want to grow herbs—small and very suitable for containers, they’re also practical and can be used (or even kept) in the kitchen.
Let’s stay together
Because container planting can bring plants together in close proximity, it’s a good opportunity to practice companion planting, which pairs plants that have beneficial biological relationships with one another. Most plants, especially those of a similar type (all herbs, or all flowers) and size, can get along reasonably well in the same pot. Companion planting is most beneficial for agricultural crops and food items, but can be done with flowers as well. One of the best known beneficial pairings is roses with garlic; do some research and see what plants go well with your favorite flowers, herbs, or small trees. Some plants (marigolds, for example) are also well-known as pest deterrents and can help protect all the other members of your small garden.
Going up?
A trellis or hanging pole is a great way to add more plants and additional depth to your small garden without taking up lots of space. If you don’t want to spend money on a shiny new trellis, consider making your own out of miscellaneous items. Many vines, like clematis, honeysuckle, or morning glory, can be trained to grow on a trellis. Some food plants, like beans, peas, and tomatoes, can also be staked to grow vertically.
Feeling generous?
If you’re not into growing vegetables for yourself, perhaps you’d like to grow a vertical plant like those described above, or maybe a small pot of strawberries, and donate the edibles produced to those in need. The Garden Writers Association of America has a program called Plant a Row for the Hungry that could help motivate you to really equip your garden to do something useful. Even if you don’t need the food, someone else might.
Showing off
Windowboxes, the quintessential feature of any perfectly manicured home, are also effective on balconies. They may be more accurately termed “railing boxes” in this case, but still provide a functional and attractive way to grow plants. Many windowboxes can be purchased online, at local gardening stores, or you can build your own if feeling ambitious. You may have the urge to clutter up your windowbox with lots of plants to create the traditional lush, full look, but don’t forget about the constraints of container gardening, and remember that these plants will require special attention to their water and space needs. Overcrowding puts plants in competition; it’s better to have three thriving plants than four struggling ones.
Dive in
Container gardening can also be a good opportunity to get into aquatic gardening. Digging a giant hole in the middle of your backyard (if you have one) to create a pond is a daunting prospect, but having a pot of aquatics on your porch can feel like a somewhat more manageable task. Get some floating plants, submerged plants, and emerging plants, and have a ball with unusual species. Keep in mind that your aquatic garden will be heavy even if it’s not very large, so make sure to situate it in a location you can commit to for a reasonable period of time. A great guide to aquatic container gardening is available at Water Gardening.
Bonsaiiiiiii!
Bonsai gardening is a relaxing and rewarding hobby, perfect for container or indoor gardening. You can start with the aforementioned popular Japanese maple and go from there. Whether pruning or just appreciating your small trees, you’ll rest assured knowing you have a unique and individualized garden.
