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What
Makes A Good Container -
A checklist for
selecting a container
A quick easy
list to review before going out to purchase your plant's new home
sweet home.
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Drainage:
Gotta have it. Make sure there are drainage holes
in the container, or that it is made of a material you could
drill or poke holes in yourself.
-
Porosity:
Will the soil be able to breathe? Usually, you want it to, unless
your climate or lack of interest in watering make drying out
a real issue.
-
Breakability:
Breakable is usually bad. Use your judgement. Be careful of
clay pots freezing and splitting.
-
Looks:
Isn't that what this is all about? Figure out how much space
you have, and how you want it to look. For small balconies use
smaller containers and avoid plants with overly large leaves.
Intense colors make a space look smaller - pale, cooler colors
make a space look larger.
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Value:
The best-looking, most fun containers are ones you
find, drill holes in, and prop up on your balcony. These include
abandoned toys, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and shipping
containers. Just make sure there isn't any nasty stuff left
in them that could leach into the soil and harm your plants.
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Insulation:
In northern cities, a container that holds heat will prolong
the life of your plants in the fall, let you plant earlier in
the spring, and give you a better shot at working over the winter
with items like bulbs and conifers.
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Weight:
Imagine your container full of really wet mud. Is it
too heavy for your balcony or rooftop? Will it be too heavy
to move?
Visit the Container
Gardens section in our store for more ideas for good containers.
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