The average yard size has shrunk by as much as 26 percent since the 1970s. Not only has our need for larger homes increased, but the sections on which they are built are getting smaller too. As a result, more and more people are turning to garden pots to give them a sense of garden, instead of sprawling lawns and immaculate flower plots.
Garden pots are the epitome of versatility. Not only can they blend in with an established garden, but can take on the form of one when apartment life sees a real one impossible. The market for garden pots is growing by the day, and so is the variety.
You can now walk into a store only to find yourself overwhelmed by the selection. So, how do you know which garden pots are for you? Ask yourself the following questions.
- Where Will I Put it?
The location of your new garden pot can be the deciding factor. It has to complement its surroundings, blend in with your lawn, but stand out at the same time. For example, you would choose an edgy, contemporary pot for a formal setting, but a traditional garden pot for a cottage-like setting. How much space you have can dictate its size too.
- What Will I Put in it?
You’ll likely know the answer to this right away, for you wouldn’t go garden pot shopping without an idea of what will feature within. The type of plant can dictate the garden pot style. Consider the root structure and whether the plant needs a lot of room to grow.
- Does it Drain?
Select a garden pot that has drainage holes to avoid your plant from drowning. In the absence of holes, check whether you can drill your own. If you can’t, move onto a style that caters for drainage. In the same breath, don’t choose a garden pot with a saucer unless you’re placing it somewhere that requires you to catch water. Standing water may attract undesirable insects.
- What Soil Do I Need?
While you’re garden pot shopping, you may as well get your soil – or consider what you need. The best type will probably be a lightweight potting mix with no soil – at least to start. Potting soil can hold too much water which not all plants will need.
Take perennials, for example. These plants have shallow roots and don’t need a lot of soil. You can fill one-third of the pot with potting mix, but the other two thirds with mulch and bark. The layers will also be more lightweight to move around than pure soil.
You might think that choosing new garden pots is a matter of finding the ones you like, but it can be a lot more involved. You have to consider your plant’s need, the location, and the style and size. Pay attention to these considerations the next time you decide to buy a new garden pot.
