Container gardening is all the rage right now. Many people are becoming interested in growing their own food, however with the high costs of housing and the density of most modern cities, container gardening often ends up as the most feasible option.
Container gardening is the method of growing plants in containers (think planters, pots, and boxes) rather than in the ground. There are many different ways to approach container gardening, but what they all have in common is that they are ideal for people who have very limited gardening space. With container gardens, you can move your plants around if necessary, and you can plants things even in the absence of a yard or traditional garden bed. Although container gardens have been popular for ages with ornamental plants, they are becoming more and more common with folks who’re trying to grow edible plants.
One of the benefits of container gardening is how versatile it is. You can do so many different things with container gardens, and because you have portability on your side when it comes to pots, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing your gardens. In most cases, all you need to start is some containers, some potting soil and some seeds or plants.
What is a Themed Container Garden?
If you’re interested in the idea of growing your own edible plants, trying out some themed container gardens might be a good idea. Themed gardens are where you plant different types of plants that go together along a specific theme in a single pot or container. Organization is definitely a benefit of creating themed gardens, however another benefit is appearance. Having different plants all in one pot can create a visually stunning garden. The fact that all the plants tie together within a specific theme is also a great conversation piece.
4 Themed Container Gardens To Try at Home
Creating a themed garden can be a fairly simple exercise for even the most inexperienced gardeners. They are fairly easy to set up, and can be a fun activity to do with the kids. When using containers to garden, one thing to keep in mind is proper drainage for your pots, and the availability of sunlight for your gardens to grow.
Here are some ideas for some fun, unusual themed gardens to try at home.
Herb Garden
A herb garden is a perfect addition to any home. The ability to have fresh herbs at your disposal is probably the number one reason why you should start a herb garden. Another reason is that they are fairly low maintenance and easy to do. Herbs are fairly resilient and can be grown easily indoors or outdoors. Some ideas of herbs you can include in your garden are:
- basil
- dill
- parsley
- thyme
- oregano
- cilantro
- chives
Insta-Ready Edible Flower Garden
These days it’s all about Instagram, the social media platform that’s popular for it’s highlight on stunning visual content. With the popularity of Instagram, everyone has their chance to do as the lifestyle bloggers do, creating beautiful photos to catch the eyes of users everywhere.
One thing Instagram is famous for is beautiful food photos. Well, what is more beautiful than flowers? If you’ve visited a farmer’s market recently than you’ve probably seen that some farms have flowers for sale among the lettuce. The reason? Many flowers are actually edible! Edible flowers are a visually stunning addition to salads and make your plate pop as a garnish.
Some flowers that are edible that can be used for your garden are:
- Lavender
- Nasturtiums
- Chives (the flower)
- Pansies
- Roses
- Violets
Cold and Flu Garden
A cold and flu garden is one that contains plants that are known to be medicinal for when you’re feeling under the weather. Instagram gardener Timothy Hammond (@bigcitygardener) talked about the value of a garden that contains plant based remedies in the following post:
Have a medicinal themed container garden is useful for treating and preventing common illnesses such as the cold or flu. While we are often quick to look for relief in our medicine cabinets, there are many cases where we can treat ourselves with plants (such as previous generations did).
Some ideas for plants to add in your medicinal cold and flu garden are:
- Echinacea
- Chamomile
- Garlic
- Sage
- Lemon balm
Tea Garden
A tea garden is one that grows herbs and flowers that can be dried and used for homemade teas. Growing your own herbal teas is a great way to save money, experiment with flavor and have the freshest tasting teas. Additionally, the herbs and plants used for your tea garden will be a visually pleasing addition to your garden. How many people can say they have their own tea garden?
If you’re interested in growing your own tea garden, here are some plants you may want to consider including:
- Lemon balm
- Mint (there are many varieties)
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Echinacea
- Lemon grass
Themed container gardens are a great way for beginners to catch the gardening bug!
Creating themed container gardens is a great way to work with the space you have, and allows you to easily have access to edible plants from the comfort of your own home. It’s fun, easy to do, and a great way to introduce children to growing.
