Container Garden Ideas How to Make a Creative Porch Garden:

For an airy, movable arrangement of flowers and herbs, fill your porch with potted containers and planters. Container gardens are perfect for those with creative flair because of the infinite display possibilities. These mini gardens are also ideal for small living spaces like porches, decks, or patios where you love to enjoy the beauty of flowers but cannot place a bed. Easy to move around and re-design at any time. If the kids want to play on the porch, your plants can easily be moved out of the way.

First, there are many resources for learning the technical aspect of container gardening, but do not be intimidated by the differences from normal planting. A few basics will get you started growing geraniums, petunias, impatiens, pansies, herbs, or other favorites.

There are many types of containers you can use for planting. Consider materials such as wooden boxes, ceramic pots, plastic, or fiberglass. Your wooden boxes are in danger of rot, so only use boxes that you don't mind getting rid of after a few years. Plastic can deteriorate from too much sunlight, keeping them in shade is recommended. Whatever container you use, just be sure it has a wide enough opening and ½ holes in the bottom for water drainage, so that your plants can breathe. If it doesn't, you can drill them into some materials yourself.

For care of your potted plants, they should generally have 4 to 5 hours of sunlight a day. Depending on the likings of your specific plants, you may have to adjust where you place them. The great part is, with movable pots, you can set them in the sun for a few hours, and under the shade for the next few. Most contained plants will need daily watering. Test the soil with your finger to tell if they are too dry or moist.

Once you have mastered the art of cultivating healthy, growing flowers, get creative to make your porch or patio a garden of its own. If you have an idea, try it. Your space will be an extension of your home's style, while showing off your green thumb.

Planters come in thousands of styles, shapes, and colors. A collection of all white or cream-colored pots with different textures shows off the flowers they are holding without overpowering them. If a lot of color is your style, fiesta colored glazes like orange, green, yellow and blue complement each other and add vibrant energy to your surroundings. Planters can also look classic or country, with wine-barrel styles and hanging wagon wheels.

Don't be limited by planters to contain your designs. An old sneaker that no longer fits is a perfect niche for a small plant (after adding a hole to the bottom for drainage). Arrangements of tin buckets in multiple sizes make a habitat that is understated but unexpected. Any favorite container can be made into an original, unique home for outdoor plants. Another way to add chic design to a porch garden is using vases. Cut a few of your favorite buds and place them in a vase sitting on your wicker furniture or on the ground. Small-necked vases can even be hung on columns by strong wire. Because vases are delicate, remember to bring them inside on windy days.

If you do not have a lot of floor space, go vertical with your ideas. There are many styles of wrought iron plant stands, shelves, and hangers. Hanging baskets tend to lose a lot of water, so line them with moss to give a natural, earthy look and prevent water from escaping. You can even make watering your plants unique by keeping an attractive ceramic water pitcher on your porch that is easily filled by faucet or hose.

For smaller spaces, patios, and porches, container gardening saves space while looking creative and unique. Experiment in your own porch garden with any ideas that come to mind, simply remembering the gardening basics of sunlight, watering, and breathable containers. Your garden will be an extension of your personal style, while also a flourishing arrangement of flowers, herbs, and other small plants.