Container Gardening

Use of pots in gardens goes back many centuries. They were found in Italian, French and Spanish gardens and conservatories usualy growing rare plants and sculptured trees (topiaries) in the beatiful gardens of their era. 

Today container gardening is still very popular. Many people now opt to live in units and townhouses, often with very small courtyards. The backyard maybe shrinking but container gardening means you can still have your favourite plants, whether ornamental or edible, at your fingertips.

Terracotta pots are still very popular and we carry a huge range. Glazed pots are popular and come in a range of fantastic colours, white and neutual colours are the most sought after.The lifetime of a pot usually spans many years, and pots can be easiy re-located to suit different situations. In general, the more neutural the colour, the more likely the pot will suit your current surroundings.

John Hawkins Top Tips For Container Gardening

• When selecting your pots for container gardening, try to select oversize containers. Your plants will continue to increase in size.
• When selecting a potting mix, remember you only get what you pay for. Cheap mixes will not do the job - your plants are totally reliant on you to give them the best possible potting mix. Make sure you choose a potting mix that allows them to thrive.
• Use water crystals that swell to retain moisture in your potting mix as plants can dry out quickly, especially in the hot Summer months.
• Ferterlise at least once a month with a soluble fertiliser.
• When planting add some slow-release fertiliser to the potting mix.
• When you are selecting your plants, check your growing position. Will it be full sun, part shade or full shade? Then you can choose your plants accordingly, using our list of what to grow where.

You can grow a variety of healthy food in containers, including herbs and vegies. Check out our edible garden list below. At our Chandler Nursery, we have a great display of food growing in containers.

Herbs for sunny, dry conditions

Aloe vera, thyme, Catmint, Chamomile German, Curry Plant, Dogbane, Echinacea, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon Verbeena, Marjoram, Oregano, Pyretherum, Rosemary, Sage Pineapple, Society Garlic, Santolina, Tansy, French Tarragon, Thyme, Wormwood, Yarrow.

Herbs for moist conditions.

Angelica, Beramont, Cardamon, Comfrey, Coriander Vietnamese, Lemon Balm, Mint, Sage Fruit Salad, Native Voilet.

Herbs for reasonably moist conditions with generous fertilising fertile monthly water regularly need at least 5 hours sun a day.

Artichoke, Asparagus, Basil, Borage, Cat Grass, Catnip, Chervil, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Endive, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Horseradish, Lemongrass, Lettuce, Spring Onion, Parsley, Rocket, Salad Burnett, Spinach, Stevia, Tomato Cherry.

Herbs that trail for sunny, dry conditions.

Catmint, Oregano, Pyrethrum, Rosemary prostrate, Thyme, Yarrow.

Herbs with silver foliage

Catmint, Cat thyme, Curry plant, Lavender, Sage, Santolina, Veriegated Society Garlic, Silver Lemon Thyme, Wormwood.

Herbs that trail for moist conditions - will tolerate some shade.

Chamomile, Coriander, Heartease, Lemon Bergamont, Mint, Spanish Sage, Native Violet.

We also run container gardening classes free of charge, If you are interested and want to have a bit of fun, e-mail us at enquiry@hawkins.net.au