A Vintage Container Garden (Google / Yahoo! Voices)

Read at :

http://voices.yahoo.com/ideas-creating-vintage-container-garden-12089029.html

Ideas for Creating a Vintage Container Garden

Indoor and Outdoor Display Options

Crystal Ray, Yahoo! Contributor Network

A container garden can be created with just about anything that can hold soil, and the planters can range from pots especially for plants to repurposed items. A vintage garden of planters is charming both indoors and out. Discarded accessories from the kitchen or garden shed can be used to grow and display a wide variety of annuals, perennials, succulents and houseplants. Use these ideas for creating a vintage container garden, and even if it consists of just a few unique planters, the arrangement will look fantastic when cleverly arranged.

Turn Vintage Metal Flour Sifters into Planters

Vintage metal flour sifters that no longer work well are worth saving for an indoor display. Instead of displaying them alone, create a colorful container garden that will look great in the kitchen. Fill the sifters with rich organic soil. They will provide the perfect amount of drainage. Add ivy, baby’s tears or herbs of your choice. Since some of the soil will undoubtedly fall through the sifters, place them on decorative tray that has been sealed to prevent water damage. Place the tray on a sunny kitchen counter. It will add beauty and appeal to a kitchen that already possesses old fashioned charm.

Use a Variety of Metal Watering Cans

Metal watering cans of various sizes and shapes can be used to create a lovely vintage container garden. Shop online and at local flea markets for old sprinkling cans. Add drainage holes if they will never be used for their intended purpose. Otherwise, add a layer of stone that will provide a collection space for excess water. When filled with flowers or herbs and collectively displayed, they will look fantastic on a porch, deck, balcony or patio.

Create a Vintage Container Garden with Old Crocks

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Container Gardening Tips and Techniques (Google / The Great Courses)

Seen at : Google Alerts – Container Gardening

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=9716&ai=83152

How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips & Techniques

Course No. 9716

Melinda Myers

Nationally Syndicated Garden Host

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Potatoes will grow anywhere (Google / Vernon Morning Star)

Read at :

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/lifestyles/203300801.html

A Gardener’s Diary: Potatoes will grow anywhere

Even if you only have a small garden or a balcony,  the good news is that you can still grow potatoes successfully. You can grow potatoes in any large container that has good drainage. If your potatoes sit in water, they will rot.

I don’t use garden soil in my containers because of the clay content of our soil, and also garden soil compacts too much in containers. Use a high quality potting mix. I add compost to mine and slow release organic fertilizer. I also feed my plants with fish fertilizer and compost tea as they grow.

Some people wait for their potatoes to sprout before planting and others just plant them. If they are small you don’t have to cut them but if you do, make sure they have at least two eyes on each piece of potato.

The plants can grow quite large so make sure you have a fair size pot. I was given a special container which is 15 inches (38cm) wide and 18 inches (45cm) deep specially for potato growing. It has holes for drainage and little pockets down the sides for “stealing” some early crop. I already have four plants waiting for transplants which I will put in it.

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In Small Spaces and Yards (Google / Saratoga Today)

Read at :

http://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/index.php/today-in-saratoga/family/item/1232-gardening-in-small-spaces-and-yards

Gardening in Small Spaces and Yards

Written by  Kristi Jones, The Backyard Diva

Love to garden but don’t have the space? Then consider container gardening and square foot gardening. The two options fit the bill for people who live in apartments, have small yards or don’t have the time to till the ground and fight weeds.  

Container and square foot gardening can be very productive and rewarding for small spaces; I like to say ‘you can’t grow wrong’ with using containers. With the correct conditions you can succeed—fertile soil, water, sun and even companion and edible flowers added your vegetable or herb containers can make the most beautiful, colorful and tasty additions to your balcony, patio, or courtyard—even indoors on the windowsill. Well-designed containers placed strategically around your living space can make the home more welcoming and act as attractive focal points in your yard.

The great thing about container and square foot gardening is it is often easier than growing a typical garden. There is less weeding and bending involved making it ideal for those with limited mobility. In addition, deer, rabbits and other wildlife are less likely to dine on plants in your container garden so it makes the option perfect for those with pesky critters.

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Growing vegetables in a raised garden (Google / gtowntimes)

Read at : Google Alerts – container gardening

http://www.gtowntimes.com/local/Raised-gardens-at-GMS-help-students-grow2013-04-19T07-40-09

Raised gardens at GMS help students grow

Special needs students at Georgetown Middle School are growing vegetables in a raised garden just outside their classroom.

The garden was installed by volunteers from Elks Lodge 2797 in Murrells Inlet. Bill Judd spearheaded the project.

“We just felt the children need some horticultural therapy,” Judd said. “It’s just something we wanted to do. We wanted to help these children with disabilities.”

Volunteers built the boxes, filled them with dirt and donated plants, gloves, trowels and watering cans so the students can grow tomatoes, kale, okra, collard greens and wildflowers.

“We love seeing the excitement in these children,” Judd said. “They just light up when they see their plants.”

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A SKYPE talk on the Talkupy radio in Florida (Willem Van Cotthem)

A NICE INVITATION BY ANNIE LINDSTROM

for a SKYPE talk on her Talkupy radio in Florida :

“Willem Van Cotthem – Creative Container Gardening
Talkupy
Thu, April 4, 2013 05:00 pm ET”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/talkupy/2013/04/04/willem-van-cotthem–creative-container-gardening

Grow up for a new slant on gardening (Google / My San Antonio)

Read at :

http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/home_and_garden/article/Grow-up-for-a-new-slant-on-gardening-4395008.php

Grow up for a new slant on gardening

By Tracy Hobson Lehmann, staff writer

When Sharee Neff wants to sprinkle fresh herbs into bread dough, she snips leaves from pots hanging on the wall next to the kitchen sink. She and husband Alan do the same when they’re cooking dinner.

Alan Neff, an architect with Robey Architects and manager of the Pittman-Sullivan Community Garden in his East Side neighborhood, installed the vertical garden about two years ago. The couple wanted fresh herbs close at hand and found convenience in a wall-mounted modular system manufactured by Dirtt.

Other gadgets, too, give gardeners a way to grow upward, whether for aesthetics, proximity or space. Artsy green thumbs can create designs or spell words in sedums and small succulents. Many want to grow herbs and vegetables.

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Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/home_and_garden/article/Grow-up-for-a-new-slant-on-gardening-4395008.php#ixzz2P79NXEOP

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See CGA = Container Gardening Alliance at http://www.facebook.com/willemvancotthem

Riser with bottles and cans. A splendid technique to produce a maximum of fresh food on a minimum of space (Photo Almar B. Autida)