Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Try Container Gardening Portland Or Style

By Donna Murray


So you don't have a yard, or the time to weed and water. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy fresh herbs or vine-ripe tomatoes. It doesn't mean you have to do without flowers or the refreshing effects of greenery. Container gardening Portland OR style can make your patio, balcony, or kitchen counter productive and colorful.

Of course, just because you have a lawn and flowerbeds doesn't bar you from the decorative effects of plants in pots or baskets. Actually, anything - old or new - that holds dirt and allows for drainage can be a planter. An empty coffee can can work. So can an old straw hat. If you prefer, you can buy attractive ceramic pots in earth tones or bright colors, as well as traditional terra cotta ones in all shapes and sizes.

Pots of bright annuals can be moved around to bring color to otherwise drab areas. Having portable planters also means that plants can be front and center in spring but moved to more protected areas when summer sun gets too hot or winter frost threatens. If a garden has poor soil, plants may do better in pots.

Another use for different containers is to vary the height of plantings. Pots on a table, along the top of a wall, in a graduated holder, or on descending steps make unique statements. Baskets can hang on walls or on fences, and any porch looks more inviting with hanging baskets of trailing greenery and blooms. Boston ferns grow until their fronds touch the ground; hang them high and they can be six feet tall.

Inside plants make wonderful decorative accents. Great cooks like to have fresh herbs on the counter; you can even grow mushrooms in your kitchen now. South-facing windows are perfect for sun-loving bloomers, while dark corners are just fine for jungle varieties. Put bright geraniums or hibiscus near the door to patio or balcony for color that enhances both spaces.

If you don't have enough natural light for flowering plants, consider the decorative effect of grow lights. Not only do they provide light for plants, they also highlight a dark corner and show off the flowers. Indoor plants are good for you, too. They humidify the air, which makes rooms more comfortable and saves energy. They also clean the air of toxins, like fumes from carpet or furniture, and add oxygen to it.

The health benefits of plants in the home or the office are validated by research. Records show that offices with plants house workers who miss fewer days and work more productively. Many of the plants that do all right in low light are very efficient at cleansing the air. Others thrive under fluorescent bulbs.

Tomatoes and blueberries grow well in pots, strawberries in window boxes or pyramids, herbs in kitchens, and wheat grass in flats. There are even survival gardens designed for the loving room. Check out how you can use plants as decorative touches, health aids, fresh food, and pure pleasure.




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