Container Gardening
How to grow nasturtium from seeds in containers.
Nasturtiums are annual flowers and are native to South and Central America. They come in colours like red, orange and yellow. These flowers can come in two varieties namely as dwarfs and climbers. Both of these varieties can be grown in containers. These flowers can be grown as ornamental plants or as companion plants. Growing nasturtium next to vegetables is a way to save your veggies from pesky insects. Nasturtiums also act as a trap crop and attract pests like aphids, whiteflies and other pests. These pests stop attacking your veggies and they jump over to this flower. Here is how to grow nasturtium from seeds. Growing Conditions for nasturtiums…
How to grow portulaca from seeds in containers
Portulaca or moss rose is an annual that belongs to the Portulacaceae family. They can be grown as an ornamental flower or as a ground cover. They come in a variety of colours like rose, white, red and yellow. They can grow up to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. These flowers are drought tolerant. Plus they are low-maintenance flowers. You can grow portulaca from seeds or from cuttings. Grow portulaca from seeds These flowers have shallow roots and can be grown in small containers. Portulaca seeds take 10 to 14 days to germinate. They can grow well in average soil conditions. You can either sow the seeds directly…
How to grow beetroot from seeds in containers.
Beetroots are cool-weather crops and there are many varieties of beetroots. The best variety of beetroot to sow is the variety that is bolt-resistant. Both the leaves as well as the roots of this vegetable are edible. You can grow beetroot from seeds. Growing conditions for Beetroot Beetroots need fertile well drained soil and lots of sunlight to grow well and give big bulbs. They prefer alkaline soil and can tolerate frost. The soil ph should be between 6 to 7. The optimum temperature for growing beets is between 18°C to 30°C( 64°F to 86°F). The best season to grow beetroots is between March to July. SEEDS NOW OFFERS A…
How to grow calendula from seeds in containers.
Calendula also called pot marigold is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. There are about 16 varieties of this plant and the flowers come in colours like red, yellow, orange and apricot. Calendula is native to Mediterranean countries. They can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide.Here is how to grow calendula from seeds. Growing conditions for Calendula These flowers can be grown during the spring and summer seasons. This flower is not frost and drought-tolerant. Extreme temperatures can harm this plant. Calendula needs fertile soil to grow well. The optimum temperature for these plants to thrive is between 16°C to 17 °C (61°F to 63°F). Calendula…
Best potting mix for container gardening
When you have a backyard garden all you need is well-prepared fertile soil to grow the food you want. But when you want to grow vegetables in pots you will need to fill the pots with a good potting mix. Potting mix is also referred to as soilless mix as it is a mixture of materials like vermiculite, perlite, compost, sand, coconut coir, lime and peat moss. The potting mix is lightweight and has better drainage and aeration. Making the best potting mix for container gardening can help plants grow healthy and produce better yields. You might think of using garden soil to fill your pots as it is more…
How to plant tomato seeds
Tomatoes grow well when they get the needed soil, water and light. You can get lots of tomatoes by simply growing them in a few containers. There are two varieties of tomatoes namely determinate or bush varieties and indeterminate or vine varieties. The bush variety is easier to grow in a container. The vine variety needs lots of space to grow. If you are living in an apartment or if you don’t have much space in your garden, then it’s best to grow the bush variety. The container size for growing the bush variety is 14 inches deep and 8 inches wide. You can grow a single tomato plant in…
How to plant zinnia seeds in containers.
Zinnias are annuals that grow fast and attract pollinators and beneficial insects. They do not tolerate frost and the best time to plant zinnia seeds is during the spring and summer seasons. Zinnia flowers come in colours like purple, pink, red and white. The best zinnia varieties for container gardening are hybrid varieties. Some of them are Zahara, Uptown grape and Profusion. These varieties are more resistant to pests. Here is how to plant zinnia seeds Growing Conditions for zinnias Zinnias require fertile well-drained soil to grow. They grow well when the weather is warm. The optimum temperature for zinnias to grow is between 23°C to 28°C (73°F to 82°F).…
How to plant sunflower seeds in containers or pots.
Sunflowers are annual flowering plants that are native to North and Central America. The scientific name of the sunflower is Helianthus annuus and it belongs to the family Asteraceae. Sunflowers come in several colours like yellow, white, brown, red and orange. They are grown as food crops or ornamental flowers. The seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals. There are about 70 varieties of sunflowers. Certain types grow from 12 to 24 feet. A few examples are the Russian Giant, Titan Sunflower, Mongolian Giant, American Giant and Skyscraper Sunflower. Other varieties of sunflowers grow 2 to 3 feet. A few of such sunflower varieties are Elf, Firecracker, Double dandy and…
How to grow basil from seeds in pots or containers.
Basil is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to tropical Asia and Southeast Asia and is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is used to add flavour to dishes and soups. There are 50 to 150 varieties of basil. Some of the varieties that are commonly grown are sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil and holy basil. You can either grow basil from seeds or you can buy a sapling from the local nursery. Growing Conditions for Basil The best time to grow basil is during the spring and summer seasons. Basil is neither frost-tolerant nor is it drought-tolerant. Mulching should be…
How to grow butterfly pea flower from seeds in containers.
Butterfly pea flower (scientific name Clitoria Ternata) is a perennial flowering plant that is native to Southeast Asian countries. It is a vine that can grow up to 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is easy to grow butterfly pea flower and requires less maintenance. This plant gives blue and white flowers and they can be used to make tea and natural colourings. It is also be grown as a cover crop as it helps to fix atmospheric nitrogen in soil. Growing Conditions for Butterfly Pea This flower can be grown during the spring and summer seasons. They require warm temperatures to grow well and do not grow…