Friday, January 8, 2016

Decorate With Container Gardening Portland OR Style

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By Donna Murray


Not everyone has space for a real garden or enough time to plant, weed, and water an extensive area of growing plants. However, that doesn't mean that they have to do without flowers - or vegetables, for that matter. A kitchen counter or a sunny window can hold a few pots, and patios and balconies can be filled with planters. Container gardening Portland Or way can be fun for all ages and make a home more beautiful all year round.

Growing things in pots isn't confined to those with no outdoor garden, of course. Landscape designers know the value of using decorative ceramic or traditional terra cotta pots in sitting areas outdoors. Rural lawns might use a tractor tire as a raised bed. A coffee can can be home to a few annuals. Almost anything can have a practical application, while whimsical things like straw hats or animal planters will add a personal touch.

Pots of bright annuals can be moved around to bring color to otherwise drab areas. Having portable planters also means that plants can be front and center in spring but moved to more protected areas when summer sun gets too hot or winter frost threatens. If a garden has poor soil, plants may do better in pots.

Plants in pots or baskets can give height to a landscape as well as color. The tops of tables and walls are perfect, as are old stumps, ironwork plant stands, or terrace steps. Hang some window boxes in the traditional way or use them as patio guard rails. Trailing greenery can hang high or ramble over a wall or banister.

Of course, pots let you bring natural beauty inside. Sunny windows are great for plants that need a lot of sun and can take the heat. Foyers might have enough height for a ficus tree, but if not there are miniature citrus trees and rose bushes. Sliding doors that offer access to a balcony have a static side that makes a great place for bright geraniums or dramatic hibiscus.

Grow lights make any spot suitable for even sun-loving plants. A clever arrangement of lighting can be a decorating accent for any room. In addition to bringing nature indoors, plants clean the air, making the environment healthier for the people who live there. They also humidify the air, making it feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer with less expenditure of energy.

Research actually validates the health benefits of plants in the home and in the workplace. Employers in Portland OR find that there are fewer days missed because of illness, and productivity goes up as well. There are many plants that like fluorescent light, and others that grow in almost no light at all. Many of the latter are most efficient at cleaning the air.

As far as growing your own food goes, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and herbs are all good candidates for container growing in Portland OR. There are even guidelines for turning your living room into a vegetable garden. Health nuts grow wheat grass in flats. Learn how to add beauty to your home, boost your health, and feed yourself with plants in pots.




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