Functional Garden Containers

Container gardening is decorative but containers in the garden are primarily functional.

Plant Related Containers

• Plant pots do what the name implies. You put plants in pots to grow on or keep until ready for planting out.
• Plant pots that are planted up are also useful for placing inside a decorative container. It can help with watering and allow the quick replacement of the plant when a new one is needed.
• Clay plant pots help keep roots of plants cool due to the water evaporation.
• Plastic pots are cheap, reusable, easy to store and available in many sizes.

Containers for Specific Functions

• The water butt is the most useful container in my garden during summer.
• I have an old plastic dustbin to store seed and potting compost near my potting bench. It has a lid to keep the compost fresh.
• Sharp sand is kept in another old bucket shaped container and I have old boxes for perlite and vermiculite so they are readily available.
• At the end of the season I put all my garden canes and supports in an old plastic kitchen bin just to keep them tidy and in a place where I can find them.
• Tools including, hedge trimmers, are stored in an old wardrobe without doors ( I forget where they have gone) locked in my garage.

Pseudo Containers

• Whilst not a true container, in my case, the compost heap could easily be in a purpose designed compost bin.
• Are my bird feeders containers – well I guess they fit. Plastic ones last only 1or 2 seasons but the metal variety seem capable of going on and on.
• I use a dustbin with a chimney lid  to collect burnable rubbish rather than sending it to landfill – not strictly correct but at the backend what is one more fire.
• Is my garden pond a container – (oh this is getting a bit silly now ed.)

Greenhouses and Garden Sheds

• These are the King and Queen of garden containers and once you have used them they seem indispensable. My only problem is space as they do get full. Well I guess that is containers for you.

See also Tips on making your own compost bin.