People are becoming increasingly more concerned about the quality of food they consume and more and more people are resorting to growing their own food. This explains the new methods and techniques which help individuals cultivate their own fruit and vegetables. Even those with no experience in gardening and no gardening space whatsoever are becoming more confident to take up this hobby and see whether they have a green thumb. If you live in a concrete jungle and are looking to grow your own produce, worry not. Urban garden planters are the newest invention in the world of gardening that has made growing your own food a piece of cake.
Some people say that basically anything that can hold soil can be a suitable growing container for balcony gardens, but I don’t agree with that. Adequate urban garden planters need to offer plenty of space for roots to grow and need to have holes for proper drainage. And of course, they need to look good to match the exterior decor of your home. Modern, white plastic planters with a self-watering mechanism are my recommendation when it comes to choosing the best urban garden planters.
Plastic is a durable material that withstands the elements well and the white colour is quite easy to fit in every design scheme. The self-watering mechanism takes care of your plants’ water needs and has a system that shows you just how much water is left in the reservoir, so you don’t have to think about refilling it all the time. This kind of planters are suitable for growing both fruits and vegetables and you can use them to grow flowers as well.
Soil
You should use a high-quality potting mix to fill your planter. When shopping for potting mix, choose one that is soft, keeps moisture and gives the plant’s roots the right balance of nutrition, air, and anchorage. A mix that’s too dense or too wet may negatively affect your plants and impede their growth.
Seeds
Before you decide which seeds to plant, take a look at your balcony’s layout carefully. Vegetables usually need lots of sunlight to grow large and plentiful. Therefore, plan where you’ll place your container with veggies and make sure to put it in a sunny spot. Pay close attention to what each plant needs and make sure it fits in the conditions in your urban garden space.
Fertilize
When gardening in very small spaces such as planters, you need to pay special attention to your soil’s nutritional needs. That is because plants in containers deplete the nutrients at a quicker rate than large-scale gardening. So, make sure you add organic compost, top-dress soil and spray it with compost tea often.
