Whether you're a novice gardener or someone who's been growing beautiful flowers and vegetables for years, one thing is clear: the fastest and easiest way to start a garden is to keep it small. about it.
In her new book, Container and Small Space Gardening for the South: How to Grow Flowers and Food No matter Where You Live, Barbara W. Ellis writes, “Start a garden quickly, even on a budget.'' It is possible to start.”
The author of 20 gardening books, Ellis is a cultivation expert based on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Her latest title is an easy read that covers all the big questions about container and plot gardens in the notoriously hot and humid South. What plants to choose, which pots are best, how much to water, how often to feed, and the best locations for small gardens, containers, etc.
Ellis also shares gardening advice from years of real-life experience, including how to be an eco-friendly gardener. She also delves into seed planting, pest management, garden design, end-of-season work, and more.
Best of all, along with great photography, Ellis' practical instructions move smoothly from chapter to chapter, building confidence and excitement to dive in and grow.
Here are some of Ellis' tips for gardening in containers and small spaces.
The easiest way to garden
“Container gardening is the easiest way to garden if you're starting with a large pot,” says Ellis. The large pot holds plenty of water, so you won't have to worry about watering. “Beginners might start with a small 10-inch or 12-inch pot, but they won't be able to keep up with watering. One of the first containers I made, many years ago, dried out quickly. When I watered it in the morning, it almost died by the time I got home from work.
Containers are a smart way to graduate to a small space garden. “As soon as you start getting it in the ground, it's more exciting, but probably more complicated,” says Ellis. “Large containers allow you to learn how to grow plants, how to combine colors and plant shapes, and how to care for them to make them look better and be healthier.”
dirt on the sand
Eastern North Carolina's dry, acidic, sandy soils present frustrating challenges for growing healthy plants. How can gardeners overcome difficulties? “Organic, organic, organic,” Ellis says.
“Sandy soils burn out faster than any other type of soil.” Add organic matter each time you dig a hole. Cover the soil with mulch and spread the finished compost under the mulch like pine needles. Additionally, “organic matter is used up faster,” Ellis says.
how should water flow
When watering, “water until the water comes out of the bottom of the pot or the top few inches of soil are wet. This will help the roots burrow into the soil instead of crowding at the surface.” , making them more susceptible to drought,” Ellis said.
Choose your location carefully. “A pot or garden that gets sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon will need to be watered less frequently than a pot or garden that gets shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon.”
Observe your plants to understand their water needs. “I learned to look at a plant's leaves to determine when they need watering. When they start to die, they change shape and change color.”
Resist temptation at the plant store
“Container and Small Space Gardening in the South” emphasizes the value of balancing your gardening dreams with the realities of your space, right down to calculating the number of plants you need to save time, money, and effort. I am.
A handy list will help you choose easy plants suitable for sun and shade. Still, how can you suppress your wishful thinking while being overwhelmed by the colors at the garden center on a perfect spring day?
“I have a strict personal gardening rule: “Be attractive or die.'' Therefore, you cannot bring home a plant that you know will not grow well. If you kill something three times, that’s it,” Ellis says. “This approach has gotten me excited about finding plants that grow well in the areas I garden.”
Ellis advises visiting local public and private gardens and native plant organizations to learn about plants that are best suited to your area.
What the south facing sun really means
Ellis' book is full of guidance you might not have thought of, including how to evaluate sun and shade patterns. Garden centers may label plants “full sun.” This means they need six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day, but Ellis points out that they don't necessarily need sunlight all at once.
“Most food crops prefer full sun, but some crops, such as tomatoes, will produce in partial shade in a southern garden,” she writes. Always remember that many of the plants recommended for sunny areas on the market refer to northern gardens, Ellis adds. Those plants require more shade on the south side and often require more watering.
Save money and the environment
Plastic waste such as sandbags and plant containers has a negative impact on the environment. At Ellis, we compost and reuse all potting soil, being careful not to add diseased plant parts or exotic seeds or plant parts. “Most years, I only replace the top third of the potting soil in the pot.”
She donates her surplus soil to fellow gardeners. Ellis uses some of the leftover soil to pot up divided plants and donates it to a local gardening club's annual plant sale. She also recycles and refurbishes planting containers. She can also be repaired in a terracotta pot, Ellis writes.