6 of the Ultimate Garden Containers

Garden containers come in all sizes and types. I was sitting on my patio trying to decide which are the best garden containers for a patio garden. I also wanted to know what garden containers are best for a monsoon season. I decided that I needed to do some research on how to choose a garden container so I reached for my laptop.

Clay pots are very attractive but do not hold moisture as well as plastic pots. If you buy a glazed terra-cotta pot, the soil won’t dry out as fast. However, black plastic pots absorb heat which can damage the roots if the pot gets too hot. The best solution seems to be to put a plastic pot inside a clay pot. However, the organic crowd may not like that. What about a wooden barrel or hanging basket? I think this needs a deeper dig. The following are 6 of the best garden containers.

Fabric Garden Containers

Fabric garden containers come in a variety of types. The most interesting are vertical wall planters that allow plants to grow up a wall in individual pouches. In addition, there are grow bags with windows so you can see your potato or carrot crop production through the side of the bag. Fabric grow bags allow air and moisture to seep into and out of the bag. Some bags are UV protected while others are made of coco peat and do not need soil. Plants love these types of containers so they are very popular with farmers. They are easy to move and lightweight. The grow bags are inexpensive but will only last a season or two.

Clay Garden Pots

Clay pots are pretty and fairly lightweight. They are sturdy. They don’t tip over easily but will break if dropped. Plants like them because they are porous which allows air to easily pass through. However, this also lets water seep out so plants may need more water. They are great for drought-tolerant plants. Finally, terra cotta pots keep the plants’ roots cool. Glazing the pots stops water leakage but the pots become much more expensive and they lose some of the porous benefits.

Wooden Barrels or Planters

Wooden garden containers are great in most parts of the world. They are sturdy and fairly durable. Do not use treated wood for planters. The treatment can leach into the soil and is highly toxic. Cedar wood is the most common type of garden container since it is long-lasting and resists pests. Using plastic liners for wooden barrels or planters is great. It prevents moisture from breaking down the wood over time. Wood also looks attractive in natural settings.

Cement Garden Containers

Concrete or stone garden pots are the most durable containers. However, they can be very heavy so placement is critical. One gardening tip for trees or shrubs is to knock out the center bottom of concrete containers so the roots can go down into the soil below. The plant cannot be moved but, it will not get root bound either. The plants in bottomless pots are healthier and need less water. Oxygen and moisture are taken from the surroundings. On the other hand, if you have a balcony or rooftop, these sturdy stone containers are the best to prevent the wind from moving your plants.

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets can have their own blog post. There are many types and are great indoors in the bathroom. They also make a great privacy screen. However, the best type of hanging basket for the patio are wire baskets with burlap used to line the basket. These are great for balconies or patios that have limited space but still want fresh greenery. Hanging baskets also let you have a cascade of flowers. They can complement fabric vertical wall planters as well.

Polyresin Garden Containers

Polyresin garden containers are beautiful and long-lasting. The plastic resin is sturdy and lightweight. It retains water well so there is no need for plastic liners. They are fairly inexpensive. Some pots can fall over easily unless you buy thicker pots. Decorative resin pots can look like stone or ceramic garden pots. They can crack if left out in the sun. Make sure to buy pots that indicate UV protection, if you want to place them in the sun.

My Conclusion of the Best Garden Container

All of these containers have good and bad points. However, when I think of my patio, I know a mixture of containers will look the best. Choosing garden containers to fit your style and the types of plants you want to grow will ultimately choose the container. I mix and match containers so I will probably choose them all. What is your favorite type of garden container? Please leave a comment in the form below, I love to hear from you!