Unusual Container Garden Ideas | Care2 Healthy Living

It might seem a little bit early to start planning an outdoor garden, but spring is really not too far off! Now?s the time to start that garden from seed, and while you?re at it, why not do a little fantasy garden-planning, so you?ll be ready with containers when it?s time to transplant those seedlings to their outdoor homes? Sure, you can hit the home improvement store for clay pots, but you can also add a little personality to your garden by using more unusual planters made from reclaimed materials. Check out these ideas!

The Right Plants, The Right Containers for Spring

When you?re planning a container garden, you might make some different choices than if you were planting in the ground. Containers mean limited space for your plants? roots to spread out, so you want to pick plants that don?t need a huge radius to thrive.

I?ve found that a good rule of thumb when you?re choosing your plants is to look at the seed packet and see what their spacing recommendation is to get your planter diameter. So, if a plant needs 6? of space in a row, you?ll want a pot that?s at least 6?? wide to accommodate.

Not sure what to grow this spring? Here are a few ideas:

• succulents ? make sure the last freeze is over before you put these outside!
• arugula
• broccoli
• carrots
• peas
• kale
• lettuce
• green onions (scallions)
• chives
• onions
• radishes
• potatoes
• cilantro
• dill
• basil

You probably noticed that these spring veggies are also foods that thrive in a fall garden, and that?s no accident. Both spring and fall have shorter days and cool evenings, so similar plants do well in both seasons.

Ready to pick out some cool containers for your spring garden? Check out the following unusual planter ideas!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by torroid

1. Bathtub planter ? Check out thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales to find old bathtubs. You?ll want to drill drainage holes in the bottom before planting in your reclaimed tub.

2. Tin can planter ? Tin cans make great planters, especially if they have cool printing on the outside. A 15 ounce can is good for smaller plants like herbs, and larger cans can accommodate small veggies.

3. Mushrooms in a laundry basket ? Got an old laundry basket handy? You can use it to start a mushroom garden!

4. Shoe organizer garden ? Another great way to grow herbs or smaller veggies. This is a vertical solution, which means you can fit a lot of plants into a smaller space.

5. Use a shoe ? No, really. Do you have some kicks that are past their prime? Old shoes make great planters! Since shoes ? even boots ? are pretty small, you?ll probably want to stick to herbs and succulents in your mini shoe garden.

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Next: More creative container ideas!

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/unusual-container-garden.html

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