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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,058 Likes: 5
Parakeet
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OP
Parakeet
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,058 Likes: 5 |
Hi there everyone,
** Please describe your balcony or deck or patio or stoep, or pool surround or wherever it is that you have your containers.
** And then, please tell me how many containers you are looking after right now? Are they big? small? a variety of pots on a shelf? A raised bed? Hanging? Window boxes?
** What kinds of planters do you use? Plastic? Ceramic? Other?
** Finally, please tell me what you are growing right now.
Would appreciate your replies and say thanks!
Cheers now
Lestie Mulholland
Container Gardening Editor
Contain your Delight - it's easy!
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
Hi Lestie, can only tell you what is absolutely normal in Germany, but might sound odd elsewhere...........all types of containers are used.
From ancient watering cans, beer barrels and flour tins to bald car tires and state of the art Italian ceramic and terracotta planters. Big, small, scruffy, pristine. You name it, it, and perhaps more 'its', will be pride of place on someone's terrace or balcony.
The idea is a diverse mixture of textures filled with either a 'one color theme', like a mass of red or even white for night time emphasis, or a miss-mash of colors, which can be a high point or moved around. To catch or escape the sun, or simply to show off what is best while others are 'recovering'.
Not only flowering plants but vegetables, herbs, you name it.
I have grown everything from potatoes, water cress, hanging tomatoes and strawberries to melons, courgettes and peas, alongside all types of flowers. And always to a background of year round plants, to give body to the display throughout the year. So Rosemary, Sage and Lavender for example, together with evergreens such as Holly and hanging Ivy.
Things hang, creep along, stand upright.........and droop when I have forgotten to water them.
Bulbs are 'in there somewhere' for the first flowers of spring, and annuals planted later.
Something I learned in the Netherlands not only Germany. Both countries, perhaps because of space issues, have turned container gardening into an art form.
Love gardens and gardening it is so satisfying to see things respond and grow, but container gardening is somehow even more fascinating............a first crop of asparagus in an old sink last year, while it looks very much as if a vine planted as an afterthought two years ago is actually going to achieve wonderful things in a battered metal dustbin. 
OK it sounds strange but let's say it is 'alternative', and certainly not at all unusual here. 
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,058 Likes: 5
Parakeet
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OP
Parakeet
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,058 Likes: 5 |
Sjoe Francine - what a really nice post! Thanks.
I meant to answer then and there on the night I read it but life, like missed deadlines is rushing past and lookee here, we are already at the end of Easter it being 21st April.
Talking about space constraints, using Germany and Holland as examples, and the effect these have had on gardening in containers, I read the other day how architects are designing 'buildings' between buildings to use up the space so 'wasted'.
I think it is in the UK (and Japan?) that some of the research and design has been done - looks awful to me and I would hate to have to live in this suspended cubicle style unit. Still, I suppose if it does take off (?) then of course there would be many who would jump at the chance.
Now what has that got to do with container gardening? I dunno ... other than just to hope they, whoever they may land up to be, grow something in these connecting interim living spaces!
What a joy it is to love gardening! Me too.
Come on everyone, let us know what your container gardening space is made up of and what you are growing ...
Cheers now
Lestie Mulholland
Container Gardening Editor
Contain your Delight - it's easy!
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