Growing plants in containers allows you to have a garden even when the space for one is limited or nonexistent; install a planter box under a window or use flower pots to turn a small balcony or patio into a lush green haven.  Even gardeners with plenty of space will appreciate containers, too, valuing the versatility they offer. 

Blooming plants bring season color to garden beds, a porch, or the front steps and are easily replaced with new ones when their flowers fade.  Additionally, containers give you the chance to experiment with new plant combinations and with kinds not suited to the native conditions.  If your soil is alkaline, or claylike, but you are longing to raise aid loving plants or those that demand fast drainage, just fill their pots with the sort of soil they need.  Plants too tender for your winters can be moved to sheltered areas when cold weather arrives.

Preparing Containers

Choose containers that have at least one drainage hole, so water won't accumulate around the roots.  Submerge terra-cotta pots in clean water and let them soak thoroughly; if the pots are too dry, they can initially wick the moisture away from the roots and the planting medium.  Use a mixture of 1 part Clorox type bleach to 9 parts hot water.  Let them soak for about ten minutes.  This will kill any organisms or pathogens which may be present.  Cover the drainage hole with a small piece of fine wire mesh to keep the soil from washing out.

Choosing A Potting Medium

A good potting soil allow the roots to grow easily; it should be fast draining yet moisture retentive.  Quick drainage means roots won't run the risk of suffocating in soggy soil, while good water retention save you from having to water too often.  Regular garden soil, even good loam, is too dense for container use. 

For best success, most gardeners turn to packaged potting mixes (make sure that you do not purchase planter mix.  Planter mix is for use in the ground only and not in containers.), which don't contain soil; they're soilless mixtures of organic materials (such as ground bark, sphagnum peat moss, and/or compost) plus mineral matter such as perlite, pumice or sand.  Limestone ,ay be added to balance the acidity of peat moss; fertilizers and wetting agents may also be added.  Before planting, flush the mix with water once or twice to eliminate excess salts.