For urban residents the idea of container gardening has been rapidly catching on.
It is not too challenging and is relatively easy to maintain and sustain.
But many in their hurried approach to this hobby of filling up with green every inch of urban space are all making some mistakes that is entailing uncalled for hard work, expenses and perhaps disappointment at the end of the trail with droopy and ailing plants.
The correct approach to setting up a container garden is to plan it right from the start taking into account the specifics of the apartment one wishes to green.
The first thing is to focus on the corners more exposed to the sun and mark these for placing the containers.
Although majority of indoor plants are not too hungry for sunlight, a minimum dose is required for their healthy growth.
The next step is to choose the plants carefully so that the requirements of the particular plants tune in with the available sunshine.
There is no point in planting in shaded corners plants that require plenty of sunshine.
On the other hand plants that prefer to grow in shady areas should not be planted where there is too much exposure to the sun; these will either wilt or will have to be constantly shifted from one place to another.
Ultimately this would mean more work and money.
There are some plants who do not thrive at all inside the house and that has to be borne in mind even though the enthusiast is attracted to some flowers and green.
One should check on all these points prior to investing.
The third point is to attend to the mixture of the soil and matching it with the requirements of the plant.
This would make easy maintenance of the container garden.
The soil should allow for easy drainage and yet retain its moisture.
The same attention must be paid to choice of fertilizers - care and discretion being the guidelines.
One line of approach will not be a remedy for treating all types of plants.
It is tempting to start off on a fruit and vegetable container garden in urban apartments.
But a more realistic beginning for the novice would be introduction into the world of urban greenery initially with herbs.
Herbs grow easily while rewarding the cook with fresh leaves exuding aroma.
The list is generous - chives, garlic, mint, parsley etc.
Apart from proper watering and exposure to sun these require minimum maintenance.
Having been trained in herb gardening one can be upgraded next to vegetable and flower growing.
Last but not least is the importance of choosing the appropriate containers matching the potential size of the plants chosen.
It is not too challenging and is relatively easy to maintain and sustain.
But many in their hurried approach to this hobby of filling up with green every inch of urban space are all making some mistakes that is entailing uncalled for hard work, expenses and perhaps disappointment at the end of the trail with droopy and ailing plants.
The correct approach to setting up a container garden is to plan it right from the start taking into account the specifics of the apartment one wishes to green.
The first thing is to focus on the corners more exposed to the sun and mark these for placing the containers.
Although majority of indoor plants are not too hungry for sunlight, a minimum dose is required for their healthy growth.
The next step is to choose the plants carefully so that the requirements of the particular plants tune in with the available sunshine.
There is no point in planting in shaded corners plants that require plenty of sunshine.
On the other hand plants that prefer to grow in shady areas should not be planted where there is too much exposure to the sun; these will either wilt or will have to be constantly shifted from one place to another.
Ultimately this would mean more work and money.
There are some plants who do not thrive at all inside the house and that has to be borne in mind even though the enthusiast is attracted to some flowers and green.
One should check on all these points prior to investing.
The third point is to attend to the mixture of the soil and matching it with the requirements of the plant.
This would make easy maintenance of the container garden.
The soil should allow for easy drainage and yet retain its moisture.
The same attention must be paid to choice of fertilizers - care and discretion being the guidelines.
One line of approach will not be a remedy for treating all types of plants.
It is tempting to start off on a fruit and vegetable container garden in urban apartments.
But a more realistic beginning for the novice would be introduction into the world of urban greenery initially with herbs.
Herbs grow easily while rewarding the cook with fresh leaves exuding aroma.
The list is generous - chives, garlic, mint, parsley etc.
Apart from proper watering and exposure to sun these require minimum maintenance.
Having been trained in herb gardening one can be upgraded next to vegetable and flower growing.
Last but not least is the importance of choosing the appropriate containers matching the potential size of the plants chosen.
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