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by Lisa Pritchard Mayfield Photography by andrew mayfield Discovering CONTAIN the Joys of Container YOURSELF Gardening o you envy gardeners who have vast expanses of land planted with vegetables, fruits and flowers resembling an earthly Eden? If you don't have the space for such luxury, fear not. You don't need a plot of land to grow fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers. And while most of us are familiar with growing ornamental flowers in pots, keep in mind that many vegetables lend themselves to container gardening. With some thought to selecting bush or dwarf varieties, most vegetables can be adapted to growing in a contained space. And pots of colorful vegetables are a lively addition to any home landscape. Vegetables that take up little space, such as carrots, radishes and lettuce, or crops that bear over a long period of time, such as tomatoes and peppers, are perfect for container vegetable gardens. What you can 80 l MACON MAGAZINE grow is limited only by the size of the container and your imagination. Think about empty spaces around your home that might be conducive to container gardening. A window sill, patio, rooftop, balcony or doorstep can provide sufficient space for a productive container garden. Problems with soilborne diseases or poor soil can also be overcome by switching to container gardening. The amount of sunlight that your container garden spot receives may determine which crops will grow. Generally, root vegetables and leaf crops can tolerate partial shade, but vegetables grown for their fruits typically need five to 10 hours of full, direct sunlight each day. Container gardening lends itself to attractive "plantscaping." Drab, dull patio areas can be brightened with the addition of tomatoes or a colorful herb mix. Planters with trellises can create a cool, shady place on a balcony. Start with your container of choice. What to use? Most garden centers and hardware stores have a large variety of planters and pots created specifically for this purpose. But thinking outside the box – or the pot – can lead to even more creativity and interest in the garden. Can't bear to toss your beloved old blue porcelain bowl set? That old hiking boot may make a clever potting container. Because containers allow you to enjoy plants in areas where a traditional garden is awkward or impossible, allow the creativity to continue in your choice of container. Also remember that plants in containers can be moved easily. Whether it's shifting your pots of herbs from the front porch to the backdoor or transporting them to a new home, these "mobile" plants can go with you. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013