The Creative Container Garden: Grow a Vibrant, Year-Round Mix of Flowers, Food, Herbs, and More

This beautiful how-to from Norway-based agriculturalist Røyneberg (Green Home) demonstrates the versatility of container gardening, the practice of growing plants in pots, baskets, or other vessels rather than directly in the ground. Since they don’t require much space, container gardens can line urban balconies and courtyards as well as gardens and terraces, he explains, enabling anyone to grow ornamental flowers or edible herbs and vegetables. He details the different categories of potted plants—such as perennials, tuberous plants, and bulbs—and advises readers to consider what plants will thrive in the weather conditions in which they live. The type of pot one uses can have consequences for the plant’s well-being; glazed and plastic pots, for example, retain moisture better than terra-cotta ones and are more suitable for those who prefer to water plants less often. In addition to offering helpful tips for caring for container plants, like keeping them hydrated by covering soil with a thin layer of leaves or freshly cut grass, Røyneberg shares 18 creative project ideas, including potted sunflowers, a bowl of microgreens that can sit near the kitchen window year-round, and a full-blown garden of hanging baskets and steel planters. The result is a panoramic manual for creating a thriving oasis. Photos. (Apr.)