Creative Container Ideas

Never let a lack of green space get between you and your dream garden in the city. With a little creativity, you can turn your urban space into a nice little green oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. The secret? Why, containers, of course. With the right container selection, you can enjoy the bright flowers, tasty vegetables, soothing herbs, and sweet fruit a well-maintained garden can bring. Use containers to turn your passion for gardening into a relaxing and delicious pastime. The only limit, truly, is your imagination.

While there are no hard-and-fast rules for container gardening since it is a truly creative hobby, please make sure to follow the following tips so you can avoid any hassles down the road.

Don't use containers which previously contained toxic or harsh substances.

Don't grow root crops in gasoline cans or plastic containers that used to hold chemicals since toxins might have leached into the plastic. Smell the container and ask a lot of questions from your supplier before selecting a particular container.

Don't use pressure-treated or varnished wood as plant boxes. This type of wood usually has chemical preservatives.

Always drill drainage holes in your containers to prevent root rot.

Select container size based on weather considerations-is it big enough to withstand winter yet also handle thawing and freezing?

Regardless of the container you choose, make sure to pick the right potting mix.