Mother's
Day is just around the corner which means it's almost time to start
putting any plants you want to grow this year into the ground at your
Boston
home. Many of you
likely don't have much yard or any at all to plant in but its not
necessary! Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a crop of
vegetables or a garden of flowers in containers. Planter boxes,
wooden barrels, hanging baskets, and flowerpots are a sampling of
containers that are perfect for your
patio or porch garden at your Boston
home. To get the most
from your container gardening consider these guidelines for choosing
a container.
- Cheap plastic pots may deteriorate in UV sunlight and terracotta pots dry out rapidly. Glazed ceramic pots are excellent choices but require several drainage holes.
- Wooden containers are susceptible to rot. Redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant and can be used without staining or painting.
- The size and number of plants to be grown will determine the size of the container used. Deep rooted vegetables require deep pots so consider the size based on what you are planting.
- Make sure your pot has adequate drainage. Holes should be 1/2 inch across. Line the base of the pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss. If using quite large pots with short-rooted plants you may find that filling the bottom of the pot with shipping peanuts will be useful. It lightens the load of the pot and also helps with drainage.
- Set containers on bricks or
blocks to allow free drainage.
What
should you grow in Boston
home's garden?
The options are endless from annual flowers to vegetables and herbs.
Some vegetables that work especially well in containers are lettuces,
carrots, radishes, spring onions, and tomatoes. You can have a bevy
of vegetables right outside your apartment. No need to go to the
store to get a salad, just pop onto your balcony and snip some
homegrown veggies. Better
Homes and Gardens has information on planting guides, based on
region, and container planter guides and plans, if you'd like to do
some planning.
I hope
you are able to take advantage this spring and get a lovely container
garden going outside your apartment or condo. Boston,
MA is such a lovely city to enjoy in the summer, I cannot wait
for the warmer weather to be here. If you are currently renting and
are interested in
buying
your own Boston
home,
please contact
a Boston real estate agent!
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Lucas
Garofalo
Keller
Williams Realty
(617)
861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com
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