Container and Raised Bed Gardening

Short Description
Gardening in containers or raised beds can be just the answer for would-be gardeners who would love to grow their own vegetables and flowers, but lack the space or physical ability for a traditional garden. Growing plants in containers provides an opportunity to garden on patios, porches, balconies, and even windowsills. Raised beds can be used to overcome poor-soil conditions and bring the garden to a height that is more easily reached. While container gardens can be very productive, they do require some special attention.

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Content
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Containers that can be used for gardening are limited only by your imagination. Clay, wood, plastic, cement, and metal are all suitable materials for growing plants. Many items around the house can be modified for use as plant containers such as pots, tubs, crates, buckets, bushel baskets, whiskey barrels, tires, wheel barrows, and hanging baskets. Whatever the material, a container must provide drainage of excess water and sufficient space for roots to grow.
When excess water can not escape the container, soil pores that should hold air will be filled with water and roots will die from lack of oxygen. To provide drainage, three or four small (1/4 inch) holes can be drilled in the bottom of the container. Holes larger than 1/4 inch in diameter will allow too much soil to escape. A layer of gravel or pieces of broken pottery can help stop the flow of soil through larger holes.
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