The soothing benefits of gardening are well known, but you don’t have to have extensive acreage, a large yard, or even any plot of your own to find those benefits. No matter where you live, how much time you have, or how green your thumb may be, you can grow a calming container garden to connect with nature and enrich your gardening spirit.

Why Garden in a Container?

While you won’t be able to have as many plants or as bountiful a harvest by gardening in just one or two pots, a container garden can be just right for many people who may want to enjoy gardening but don’t have the time, budget, experience, or patience for a larger project. Even just one container can be a great start for a peaceful, engaging garden, and there are many benefits to a potted plot, including…

• Using pots can be less expensive than planting a larger garden, as it won’t require as much fertilization, watering, multiple plants, or other associated costs.
• Containers are more controllable in terms of soil quality and amendments, without needing to work with potentially inadequate soil, rocky land, or uneven terrain.
• Containers can easily be moved to take advantage of different light sources, helping plants grow their very best even as sunlight levels change in different seasons.
• Containers can be positioned on a bench or table, making them more accessible for gardeners who may have joint difficulties or mobility concerns.
• Because containers are mobile, they can be moved indoors to continue gardening efforts long after outdoor plots are unusable in winter.
• Containers take less time and effort to give the very best care than larger gardens, making them ideal for anyone with a busy schedule.

With so many benefits in addition to all the pleasures of traditional gardening, there is no reason why a container garden should not bring you the same peace and satisfaction as a regular garden.

Peaceful Tips for Your Container Garden

Even though container gardens are smaller and easier to tend than larger plots, it is important to plan a calming container garden that will nurture your soul rather than add more chores to your to-do list or increase your stress levels with extra work. When designing your container garden, consider…

• Pot Size – A larger pot will support a greater number of plants, but even small pots can be enjoyable bits of gardening. Choose a pot that will be easy to lift and move if necessary when it is filled and plants are mature, or add a rolling plant stand or casters to help the pot be more moveable.
• Pot Style – Every pot should have adequate drainage for the plants’ health, and you will want to choose a design or color you enjoy. You might opt for your favorite color, or a fun painted design, or a relaxing pot in a neutral tone. Consider a unique shape for even more personal flair.
• Soil Quality – Choose the best potting soil your budget can afford to properly nourish your container garden. Specialized soil blends for herbs, flowers, foliage, and succulents can help you give your plants the exact environment they need to thrive.
• Plant Styles – The classic formula for container plants is to choose plants that fulfill thriller, spiller, and filler roles. Thrillers add a wow factor and catch the eye, while spillers cascade over the edge for more growing room. Fillers, of course, fill in more of the pot so all the space is used.
• Unique Plants – Think beyond classic container gardens when planning your calming space. Potted trees are an unexpected option that can bring you pleasure for years, or you might opt for different grasses or climbing vines instead. Mosses and bulbs can also be part of unique container gardens.
• Plant Texture – Consider the textures of plants to invite gentle touching that will engage you with your garden. Fuzzy foliage and velvety petals give you a soft, pleasurable garden, or you can choose satiny plants, long airy stems, and other unusual and intriguing textures.
• Plant Scents – Activate more senses and draw yourself deeper into your container garden when you include plants with pleasing aromas. Including fragrant blooms and aromatic herbs will give you plenty of olfactory enjoyment as you work on and admire your container garden.
• Plant Colors – Use any color palette you like for your calming container, whether you prefer a monochromatic arrangement or a bold rainbow of energetic colors. Calming shades such as blues and purples are always delightful, pastels are a sweet option, and dark hues are boldy dramatic.
• Top Dressing – A top dressing can be an elegant finishing touch for your container garden and will unify the space between plants. Gravel, crushed shells, sand, and river pebbles are all popular options, or you can use colorful marbles, sea glass, or other creative choices.
• Open Space – While many container gardens are designed to fully fill the pot, leaving some open space invites your thoughts deeper into your container whenever you see it, and allows you to enjoy the top dressing or decorative accents you may have as part of your garden.
• Decorative Accents – It’s easy to add personal flair to your container garden. You might nestle a unique rock among the foliage, or add some fairy accents for mystical visitors. A small bird feeder could hang from a mini garden hook in your container, or a ribbon can decorate the pot – whatever brings you joy.

Caring for Your Container Garden in a Calm Way

No matter how you’ve designed your container garden, proper care is essential or it will be far less calming than you’d hoped. Take time to focus on your container every day, noting fresh new growth and trimming away spent plants. Check moisture levels to be sure the container is adequately watered, and rotate the pot as needed so each plant gets proper sun exposure for lush growth. As you work with the container, you’ll get more familiar with the texture of the dirt, the healthy feel of the plants, and even the smell of your flowers and foliage. That familiarity will help you to notice changes, ensuring that you can tweak your garden’s care whenever needed, and you’ll be amazed at how even the small attentions you pay to the garden will reap rewards both for you and the plants you care for, nurturing you both.