5 Tips For Starting A Container Garden For Any Small Space

Whether you live in an apartment, have a small outdoor space, or just want to dip your feet into gardening, container gardening is the perfect solution for you. 

Container gardens allow you to customize what you want to plant, from flowers to succulents to fresh fruits and vegetables. They can be as big or small as you like, making them viable for beginners and small spaces. 

But, before starting any project around your home, it can be intimidating where to start. 

What supplies do you need? How do you even get started? What should I know to ensure my container garden will be successful? 

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. 

As a home remodeling expert since 1989, Southwest Exteriors is here to guide you through all your home project needs. 

From siding replacements to elevating your exterior and gardening, we want you to be as prepared and ready to start your project (and know the outcome will be great). 

So, let’s dive into five tips for starting a container garden to guarantee your Green Thumb will be ready to dig in after reading. 

5 Things To Consider Before Starting A Container Garden 

Simply put, a container garden is a small-scale garden planted in a container. The container can be a whiskey barrel that sits on the ground of your patio or an elevated trough on the side of your home. 

No matter the size or style you want your container garden to be, here are five tips to consider before getting started to make sure you get off on the right foot and set up your garden for success. 

1. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

The first and most important tip for any project is to have realistic expectations. The last thing you want is to waste your time, energy, and money to not see the results you want. 

You must outline your goals and consider what’s realistic for you. While starting any project can be exciting, you don’t want to get too ahead of yourself. 

Outlining what you want the final product to look like is the first step. Then, you will have a better idea of what your budget is and what plants you want to garden and can follow the next four steps for a successful container garden. 

2. Choose the best container to fit your space

Once you’ve considered your goals and what you want your garden to look like, the next step is to choose the right container for your space. 

To choose the best garden container for you, first, determine where you want to place your garden. Then, think about the shape of the container you want. 

Not only do you want to think about the shape of the container, but you also want to think about how you want it to function and be accessible to you.   

Do you want a short and round garden or a tall and long container? Do you want your garden to be accessible while standing? 

After determining the shape of your container garden, you can move on to finding the perfect spot for it to live. 

3. Account for how much light your container garden will get

One of the most important aspects of gardening is sunlight. Light is essential for plants to photosynthesis and grow, so it’s crucial you find the right spot for your container garden will thrive.

Before setting up your container garden, you must find the perfect spot where it will get optimal light but not too much. 

• Too much sunlight can cause your plants to become sunburnt (yes, plants can get sunburnt, too) and dry out the soil. 
• Too little sunlight won’t allow your plants to grow, and mold can form if the water is not taken in by the plant. 

As you see, finding the perfect spot for your container garden is one of the most important parts of successful gardening. 

4. Consider your climate and what plants will thrive best

One of the best tips for a successful garden is planting not only native plants to your region but plants that will survive and thrive in your climate. 

For example, if you live in a rainy city that is constantly humid, you won’t want to choose plants that prefer dry weather. 

If you live in a dry and hot climate, choosing plants that need little water, like succulents, will raise your chances of success.

No matter the plants you choose for your garden, it’s important to do your research on the care required. This way, you can create the right watering schedule for your plants and care for them correctly. 

5. Do your research and create a watering schedule

The second most important element to plant growth, next to optimal sunlight, is water. (Did you know there is such a thing as too much water for a plant?) 

If your plants don’t get enough water, they will dry out and die. If they get too much water, the roots can rot and ultimately kill the plant. 

This is why once you’ve chosen the right plants for your garden, you want to research how much watering they need. But keep in mind that it can take a while to find the right routine with your plants. 

After following a guided watering schedule for several weeks, you will see if your plants are getting the right amount of water. Then you can adjust to ensure they are getting enough water to grow. 

Starting Your Container Garden Right

Now that you have five tips for creating a successful container garden, you are ready to take the next steps and get started. 

When starting your container garden project, consider these five tips: 

• Create realistic expectations, and don’t take on too much
• Choose the right container to fit your space 
• Account for how much light your garden will get
• Consider your climate and what plants will thrive the most
• Research the plants you want and create the right watering schedule

With these expert gardening tips, you can start your project right and set your garden up for success. 

Adding container gardens is one of the best ways to upgrade your backyard, front porch, or windows with garden boxes. But maybe you want to take it a step further and give your exterior a total makeover. 

Check out this article that outlines 10 ways to upgrade your home’s exterior without breaking the bank, like adding landscaping, replacing light and door fixtures, and painting your front door.