Creating Your First Patio Garden

04/28/2020

Dreaming of your very own garden but don’t have the space? Think again! Patio gardens are easy to create, and the pot-ssibilities are endless!!

I don’t have anything to grow my plants in, now what?

Plants aren’t picky… unless they’re in season (see what I did there? lol). But seriously, they don’t really care what they grow in! As long as you have some potting soil, water, and something that can hold dirt, you’re off to a great start! 

You’d be surprised at how easy it is to get a head start on growing a garden. For example, if you’re growing your plants from seeds, you could start your garden in some old mugs or bowls! Once they’ve sprouted and have established roots, you can replant them in a larger container. 

Sunshine or Shade?

Something to consider when starting your patio garden is how much sun time does your patio get? If your patio is darker than a dungeon for 75% of the day, you may not have much success with the types of plants that rely on full sunlight to grow and ripen like tomatoes, peas and peppers. Instead, try planting leafy greens like spinach or lettuce. They grow well with little direct sunlight, and make an AMAZING home-grown salad. 

How much soil do garden plants require?

Another thing to consider when choosing what you’ll grow in your garden is the size of your available containers. Root depth plays a huge part in growing a successful patio garden. Once the roots reach the bottom of the soil and have nowhere else to go, it can be detrimental to the plant’s health. 

Check out this helpful guide to decide what type of garden you’ll grow!!

Small Containers:

Basil, chives, parsley, and thyme make a great windowsill garden, and only need a few inches of soil to be a healthy plant, so no need to plant a large container for these herbs.

Medium Planters:

Old milk crates make a great home for plants that establish roots under 12 inches! Peppers, Lettuce, celery, and strawberries are great examples of plants with shallow rooting.

Large Pots:

Try growing deep-rooted plants such as tomatoes, peas, and beans in an old 5 gallon bucket from the garage (cleaned out, of course) or pick one up for $5 at the hardware store!! Be sure to support the upward-growing plants with a support halo or trellis.

Drink Lots of Water! The plants need it too.

Last but not least, give your plants a healthy drink of water at least once a day, but it’s best to water morning and night. To make watering super easy, try investing in a soaking hose attached to a timer for raised beds and gardens! They can be found at any hardware store or big box stores such as Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot, and work wonders for keeping your plants hydrated and healthy!

Viola!! You have yourself a successful patio garden. Not only will you have a beautiful patio with fresh fruits and veggies - your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood!!

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