Choosing a Container

Containers are a wonderful, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to garden. A few pots on a doorstep require minimum investment and minutes of time each week yet give huge pleasure.

Good container plantings start with good containers. The following are the basic types containers, with advantages, disadvantages, and tips for using:

Clay

Probably the hands-down favorite material for pots, clay is classy and attractive. Because clay is porous and therefore dries out easily, small clay pots are best for drought-tolerant plants. Clay is heavy, an advantage if you want to prevent pots with taller plants from tipping in high winds; it's a disadvantage if you want to be able to move the pots easily.

In cold climates where temperatures regularly dip 15 or more degrees below zero, bring clay pots indoors for the winter. They tend to shatter in the cold.

Ceramic

Similar to clay, but usually made of higher quality materials and glazed as well. The glaze makes the containers less porous, not to mention quite beautiful.

Many ceramic containers are sold without a drainage hole in the bottom. If this is the case, you'll either have to drill one yourself with a masonry bit in a power drill (which carries the risk of shattering the pot) or using the ceramic container simply as a cache pot, that is, using it to double pot the plants. Start by filling the bottom of the glazed ceramic cache pot with gravel for drainage. Then plant the plant or plants in a plastic pot that is slightly smaller than the cache pot. Set the planted plastic pot in the cache pot so the rim is just below what will eventually be the soil surface. Add soil, more gravel, or mulch to surround and disguise the plastic pot.

Wood

Many beautiful planters and windowboxes are made from wood. For best results and to best preserve wood containers, look for those that have metal or plastic liners to prevent the wood from rotting. However, even without liners treated wood planters and windowboxes can last for years or even decades, depending on the quality of the wood and construction. Ensure longest life by coating the interior of the planter or box with oil-based paint or deck sealant.

When choosing a window box, make sure it's the right size for your window. A windowbox should be as wide as the window itself and many pre-made windowboxes are too small. However, ample-sized windowboxes are easy even for beginners to build.

Plastic

Inexpensive and great for keeping soil moist, plastic-based containers get better looking every year with the new resin, fiberglass, and stone-look formulations. Plastic also is easy to clean, preventing disease pathogens from infecting new plantings. They're also lightweight, allowing you to move them easily from spot to spot.

Still, most plastic looks like, well, plastic and therefore is usually considered less attractive than other "real" container materials. Use good judgment and make sure the container is one you'll enjoy looking at. It might be better to spend your money on fewer top-quality containers rather than more plastic containers—or not. It all depends on your personal preference and what's important to you.

Bring any plastic or plastic-type containers indoors over the winter. UV rays break down most plastics and in very cold regions, cold can crack them.

Hanging Baskets

Most commonly sold already planted with mature, trailing plants, hanging baskets are a great way to accent a porch or entry. Plastic hanging baskets are ideal for plants because they retain moisture well, preventing the plants from drying out—a common problem with hanging baskets.

Moss-lined wire hanging baskets are beautiful and can be planted along the sides for a thicker, fuller effect. However, they need frequent watering—often twice a day during hot weather.

Position hanging baskets carefully. It's ideal to hang them out in the open where they'll catch rainfall, but most of our favorite spots are under the eaves of porches or doorways where little rain falls. In these cases, be especially diligent about watering.

Repurposed Containers

Some of the cutest containers around are those reused from around the house or found at a garage sale. Buckets, bowls, baskets, suitcases, pitchers, teapots, old birdbaths, lunchboxes--even shoes and boots--can make charming, one-of-a-kind containers. As long as it has a hole (or leaks), it can be made into a container. Openwork containers, such as baskets, may need a lining cut from a black plastic bag or use sheet-type moss sold in garden centers to line the container. Then just fill with potting soil and plant to create your own unique look.