These days you have an overwhelming choice when it comes to pots for container gardening. In fact all you need to do is open the laptop and you get an array of different types of containers for growing your organic vegetables.
Ranging from plastic trays, polybags, tubes, vertical structures, earthern pots, biodegradable bags and so on.
Cappl Vertical Garden Wall Hanging Pot (Pack of 12,Black)
eTree Blue Planter, Large Plant Display, Trug Container (garden planters trug)
VGreen Terrace Gardening Green Grow Bag (Set of 2)
Oh! Did I say, at SIM Organics, we have come up with a kit that included 5 quality polybags that would suit you the best when it comes to container gardening.
Terracotta Versus Plastic Pots
I always would advice you to go for earthen or Terracotta pots when it comes for growing your organic vegetables. The very meaning of organic becomes compromised when you go for the plastic containers.
However, terracotta pots needs to be bought locally because transporting them to far off places is not easy, that is the reason we at SIM Organics have chosen to go for polybags.
I strongly recommend you to visit your local potter and get some beautiful pots customized for your home. This way you not only will be getting the right size and shape of pot but also will be supporting the local business.
And again, you get all those china clay pots that look awesome, however the earthen pots provide better aeration to plants and retains water that s more important.
Advantages of Earthen Pots
Luckily I found these earthen clay pots in amazon and hence shared, hope they reach you safely.
Well as for the advantages of earthen pots
- Is heavy so you do not have to worry about tripping off.
- Has enough pores to let air movement to the roots of the plants (which is very useful for plant growth)
- Is Organic (and that is the first consideration)
- Biodegradable – Does not leave any carbon print
- Helps Local Business
- Can be reused any number of times.
Making Your Potting Mix
I know you are questioning me – Now what is your problem, just take soil from your garden fill the pots – and begin growing organic vegetables.
Well, its not that simple, for a start you need to test your soil for the nutrients and chemicals present in it and do the necessary changes for growing authentic organic vegetables.
You can do simple soil testing at home, learn how to do it here.
So we come back to what exactly is “potting mix”
A good potting mix is one which has the right characteristics to support your plants. What those characteristics would be
Characteristics of Good Potting Mix
- Air porosity
- Water/moisture retention.
- Nutrition.
- Support/Anchorage.
- Fluffy and light weight.
- Well draining.
- Infection/pest free
- Free from weed seeds
How to make the perfect potting mix? I think I would write about that in the next post. Not that I want to keep you waiting, but because it has a lot of details to be dealt with. I do not want to cut it short trying to finish this post.
SO wait till tomorrow to know how exactly you would – gear up the right potting mix.
Ceramic is good only if you place a earthen ware inside it Rajlakshmi
I too feel that the earthen pots are the best for growing plants. We bought few ceramic ones and they aren’t really good. I will keep a watch for how you make your potting soil.
Yes, and they are available everywhere and online too
That is already half success to me psharmarao
Thanks Ramya
true Kadambari, Earthen ware are best always!
Yes I do provide organic seeds Bhushra.
Thanks Jini
Wow! I am humbled bellybites, Thanks a ton!
Thanks Tina, costs depend on the make I think
Very nice MB. I like some of the hanging planters on amazon but 1k+ for a planter is too much!!
I’m finding it hard not to go out there , buy a pot and start planting
Terra-cotta pots are indeed the best option! And so is getting the soil right! Will look forward to tomorrow’s post.
Love your series may be I’ll plant some good plants at the end
Do you provide organic seeds
Thanks for sharing
Dr bushra
Do visit mine
F-Feasible Quinoa – Switch to Good Health with Quinoa
Thanks Roma
Me too Vinodhini, terracotta always my favorite
Thanks Vasantha!
Your A To Z challenge posts attracts me among many. Keep inspiring us, Menaka !!!
I love terracotta and would never compromise on having pots in any other material. 🙂
Another significant post of the series, wonder how I never knew about them.
Truly Yours Roma
I’ve always liked earthenware for plants. Though there are so many prettier looking options available today, but earthenware always feels healthier.
I was thinking maybe I could get a wrought iron stand, and stick my pots in it. I hope I can get rectangular pots for leafy veggies. Let’s see…
There are such simple readily available containers from home. Interesting!
I don’t have one green tissue in by body and yet this looks so tempting.
The containers these days are so cute. They increase the beauty of the place 🙂