Are you fond of pot gardening but don’t have a great deal of experience with it? One of the challenges of pot gardening is choosing the right pot, one that will work well with the plants you are planting. This is why it’s so important to learn as much as you can about fibre clay gardening before you start out. This article looks at some of the things you need to know about pot gardening and the advantages of using this kind of pot for growing herbs and other plants.
The first thing to know about potting is that you should use potting soil made from fibre. Potting soil is available from specialist suppliers, or you can make your own using compost, leaves and other plant materials. Don’t be tempted to just go out and buy a load of this. There are loads of different kinds of fibre clay garden pots on the market. You’ll need to choose the right one.
It’s best to use pots that are designed for planting herbs in, rather than those which are designed for hanging baskets or small planters. For containers you can either get bigger ones that have more drainage holes built in, or smaller planters that have slats all round the edges that create lots of drainage spaces. This way the root systems of the plant will benefit from this drainage. If you’re looking for a very robust pot, then you could get a pot that has been designed specifically for planting in soil suited for fibre clay pots. Just be aware that pots like this can be heavy and might not be the most convenient option for many people.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many gardeners find that using potting soil that contains nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium, iron and potash, also helps to speed up plant growth. So, if you’re going to be using these then you should look at getting some good quality pots with a wide base and a wide rim. Also look at getting some specialist pots made from fired clay as these are more firm and will support the plant properly. But don’t go too much on this because as the plant grows it will eventually need to find some air and this is where the nutrient material will come in. Just make sure to provide the extra space it needs.
As a general rule of thumb you shouldn’t use fibre clay planters in areas of high traffic. The roots may take hold and cause the pot to break down in just a few months. And if you want to plant evergreens then make absolutely sure you get a really good design. Get one that has drainage holes in the base as well as slits for ventilation.
One other thing to think about is that pottery is different from plastic. Plastic is very easy to recycle whereas clay pots can’t. So the next time you see your clay pots outside on the deck or patio, think carefully before you recycle. It may not be such a good idea after all!
My own personal preference is to use pottery as a means to display and decorate my garden. I can use it as a display stand for flowers, so there’s more of a focus on the plants and what they’re doing rather than seeing it simply as a container. It’s also a great pot for eating out of or drying in the sun. I still use plastic containers but my favourites have always been clay ones.
Always go for quality though and get a pot that’s good value for money. If you can get the pottery manufactured reasonably it will last a lot longer than plastic. Don’t just rush your decision either, take your time. If you don’t mind changing pots often then get a pot that will grow with you and your family. You can always recycle fibre clay pots but in the long run you’ll probably save yourself some serious cash by getting a good quality pot that will last you years!