Container Gardening: Eclectic Containers

There are lots of different containers that can be put to use in your container gardening. Make your garden a real conversation piece. When we think of container gardening we think of window boxes, garden windows and flower pots, but let’s use our imaginations and see what else we can come up with!

I have a friend whose passion in the summer is her garden and in the winter is country crafts, antiques and giftware. So it is only natural that she would combine the two together in her garden. Every time I visit her, I am amazed at just how lovely her garden and yard are and how creative she is.

Some of the interesting items that you can use for planters and pots in your container gardening are:

• old skates, running shoes or leather boots – loosen the laces and pull the tongue forward,
• old purses – great for hanging from railings, arbors, walls or trees,
• antique bedpans – can lean up against a wall or drill a hole and hang. (Note: drilling a hole will chip the enamel.),
• an old bicycle with front carrier (or attach a rectangular cedar or wire hanging basket in its place). A carrier over the rear wheel can also be used to anchor a container,
• a child’s old three wheeler tricycle – set the flower pot on the seat or attach to handle bars,
• a child’s pull wagon
• an old wheelbarrow – lean an old rake or garden tool up against it,
• old tea cups and saucers – chips are okay too as they adds interest,
• an old kettle,
• old oversized gardening gloves (see article on decorating these)
• old doll carriages,
• antique legged bath tub,

Easy Container Combos: Vegetables & Flowers

Pamela Crawford’s books have been a blessing to me as a novice gardener and this new book on combining flowers with vegetables in containers is “right up my alley”. The beautiful photographs and simple to understand instructions are exactly what I need to create practical and beautiful containers. I especially appreciate her honest approach to her mistakes, and the pictures of the “bloopers” make a point while being funny at the same time. This book is at the top of my list for hostess gifts and my daughters birthday presents this year. You will enjoy it! (by Hula Girl)

half oak barrels – if not planting right away, fill the barrel with water so it doesn’t dry out and lose its ability to hold water. If your barrel is already at that stage, then lay it on its side and have flower plants tumbling out.

It is also fun to add unique trellises for those climbing roses, clematis, vines etc. Try using old metal bed frames, or large wagon wheels.

So use your imagination with your container gardening. Turn those window boxes and flower pots into works of art.

Container Gardening, Window Boxes and Flower Pots are an Inexpensive Way to Add Blooms to Your Home

Whether you have a large yard or a small space, container gardening can be the answer – and it is fun. There are many styles and techniques for window boxes – one of my favorites. Brightly hand painted flower pots are also a must for everyone.

Container gardening can utilize small containers or window boxes as well as large ones. You can do container gardening using many different items from bicycle baskets to discarded shoes or boots. I once saw an old pair of red lace-up shoes in a garden with impatiens and lobelia trailing over the tops! What a creative display that was! You can find some wonderful Pots and Planters at Yardiac.com. The copper pots look great new and even better as they tarnish to a lovely green.

As well as container gardening, raised flower and vegetable beds can do the trick in keeping a yard well manicured. A few rough lengths of logs, spiked together, lined and filled with soil can provide prolific crops. Our family of four have been well fed from two 4′ X 12′ raised vegetable gardens for many years. We plant peas, lettuce, carrots, beans, beets and tomatoes in our raised beds and herbs in individual pots for container gardening at its best.

For apartment or condo dwellers, container gardening on your balcony is just the answer, along with window boxes and flower pots. Everyone can enjoy gardening even on a smaller scale.

Container Gardening Techniques

Horticulturist Mimi Shanahan demonstrates flower planting in a clay container.

Incoming search terms:

• flower pots that lay or lean on its side
• gardening containers
• using old bicycles in landscaping