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How to plant a simple and beautiful container garden

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When I was a little girl I enjoyed spending summer afternoons gardening with my dad. We would plant flowers in the front and back yards and create container gardens to brighten up the front porch and back deck.

Shortly after E and I purchased our house, I started gardening. I find that flowers brighten our home and enhance the curb appeal. Seeing the beautiful blooms when I walk up to the house instantly brings a smile to my face.

Learn how to plant a simple and beautiful container garden. Take a look at this step by step guide from The Professional Mom Project.

Personally, I find the potted flower combinations available at garden centers or Home Depot to be rather expensive. Rather than purchasing them, I choose to plant my own because I like the idea of being able to pick my own flowers and colors.

Creating a simple and elegant container garden just takes a few easy steps and you’ll have beautiful flowers all summer long (just remember to water them).

Supplies Needed to Create your Container Garden:

Please note, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase one of the items I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. For more information please see the Disclosure page. 

getting ready to plant a container garden

Soil – choose a potting mix
Plant food – choose one specifically for flowers
Small shovel
Gardening gloves
Watering can
Containers to put the plants in (make sure they have at least one hole in the bottom for drainage)
Flowers

Step One:

Decide where you’ll be placing your container garden when it’s finished. This step is important so that you can choose the proper pot size and the right types of flowers. Different flowers thrive in different conditions and you’ll need to consider these conditions.

If your location is sunny for most of the day, choose plants that require “full sun”. Some “full sun” loving flowers include petunias, calibrachoas, begonias and geraniums.

If your location is very shady, look for plants that grow in the shade such as impatiens, lantanas and ferns.

Our front porch is very hot and sunny in the afternoon but cool and shady in the morning. After a fair bit of trial and error in previous years, this year I decided to focus my search on “full sun” plants.

It’s also a good idea to choose plants of varying heights with different propensity to spread. I usually choose one taller flower and one plant that will spread across the pot and hang down (such as ivy). I find this adds interest. You can also decide whether to plant flowers that are all the same colour or a variety of colours. This year I chose to go with a bright and fun mix of pink, yellow, light green and purple.

Ready to plant an easy container garden

For my container garden I chose zinnias, hibiscus, sweet potato vine and lobelia (I think those are the little purple ones). The zinnias are tall and the sweet potato vine and lobelia will spread nicely as the plants grow. I also decided on a square black pot since it matches the style of our home and porch railing.

Step Two:

Create a mock up of your planter to see where to place the different flowers. In my mock up you can see that all of the plants are still in their containers so I can change them around to see how different options will look.

container garden mock up

Step 3:

When you’ve decided where to place your flowers in the pot, fill up around half of the pot with potting soil. Then spread the plant food on top of the potting soil.

potting soil prepared for the container garden and with plant food sprinkled on top

Step 4:

Once the new container is prepared, take the flowers out of their small containers carefully. I find the best way to do this is by turning the flower upside down, holding the stem of the flower between your fingers and then gently squeezing the plastic and taking the plant out of the pot.

When the plant is out of the pot, gently separate the roots a bit at the bottom. Then place the plants in the container where you ultimately want them to be.

Gently separate the plant roots before placing the plant in the planter

place the plants in the container garden pot

Once you’ve placed your plants in the pot fill the rest of the pot with the remaining soil. Make sure to check all of the different corners to see if they’re full. Once you’ve filled up the pot with soil, give the plants a good watering so they can settle into their new home.

Keep a close eye on your container garden. Depending on how hot and dry your location is you may need to water your flowers once a day to keep them healthy and happy.

Planting your first container garden? Check out this step by step guide #gardening #homedecor Click To Tweet

Do you enjoy planting? What are your favourite flowers to use?

PMP

 

How to plant a beautiful and simple container garden to add colour and life to your porch this summer! Perfect DIY container garden for beginners to start with.

Filed Under: Home

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Comments

  1. Keelie Reason says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    I really love what you have done with the container gardens. You did a great job picking out flower combinations. What a beautiful home you will have this spring! 😀

    Reply
  2. Phil Bradford says

    May 17, 2017 at 5:17 am

    I think this is a pretty smart idea to maintain container garden at your home. Those who have not much space can do this easily, I do not have much space in my apartment but I can grow plants this way.

    Reply
  3. Faith Still says

    May 16, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Thanks for sharing. I am starting our pots soon. So fun to get outside and garden!

    Reply
  4. Emily says

    May 9, 2017 at 11:28 am

    I love the colors you chose! So fun and bright! I hope to get some flowers going when we move!

    Reply
  5. Sherry Nappa says

    July 17, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    This turned out well. I love container gardens. Thanks so much for sharing at Merry Monday.

    Reply
  6. Katie says

    July 17, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    Beautiful job! You are so right – the containers they sell at the big box stores are outrageously expensive, and it’s so easy to make your own. Beautiful job, I love how you used the zinnias, they add such color!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 17, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      Thank you Katie! I love the zinnias as well. The colour is so bold and they are growing really well.

      Reply
  7. Bethany says

    July 11, 2016 at 10:37 am

    This turned out great! I love container gardens.

    Thank you for linking up at Nest Builders link up party. We hope you will come back for the party each week.

    Your post will be one of my featured links this week, make sure to come check it out this Thursday at 8pm Eastern. http://www.simplysaidseven.com/category/nest-builders-link-up-parties/

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 17, 2016 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks very much for featuring my post at the Nest Builders Link Up Bethany! And thanks for hosting a great link party every week.

      Reply
  8. Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says

    July 10, 2016 at 3:15 am

    I definitely don’t have a green thumb so I need all the help that I can get! These turned out beautifully!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 17, 2016 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks very much Lisa!

      Reply
  9. Christina @ RaisingSavers.com says

    July 9, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Great ideas and tips for making beautiful garden pots!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you Christina!

      Reply
  10. Cathy Lawdanski says

    July 8, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Nicole, I saw this post on the #overthemoon link up. I’d like to include a link to in in the blog post I’m sending out this weekend. I’m trying to encourage my non-blogger readers to look over all the links in the link party by showing them up front some of the great links from the week before. Will you please send me a .jpg of one of these pictures to include in this weekend’s post? If you don’t mind, you can send it to cathy@mysideof50.com. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks Cathy I sent you an email. I hope you received it!

      Reply
  11. Maria says

    July 8, 2016 at 9:22 am

    This is lovely, Nicole! It’s just so perfect if for those who don’t have a lot of space, but want to garden either way. Thanks for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      Thanks Maria!

      Reply
  12. Janet Trieschman says

    July 6, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    My yard seems like too much of a task, I need to step it down and just do a container! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #CCBG.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks Janet – have fun!

      Reply
  13. Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says

    July 6, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    I love your step by step directions! I am extremely DIY challenged, so this is exactly what I need to achieve a pretty look like what you’ve accomplished here. Pinning!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks for your comment Jamie and for sharing the post on Pinterest!

      Reply
  14. Jill says

    July 6, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    Great instructions… Thanks!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      Thanks Jill glad you found them helpful

      Reply
  15. Jessica McDonald says

    July 5, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    This is great! I love gardening but have a small space, and I love that to get this started you don’t need a ton of materials

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      Thank you Jessica – it’s an easy and quick way to get started with gardening.

      Reply
  16. Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says

    July 5, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    This is a lovely step-by-step tutorial. The plants you have chosen are lovely! Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up Party! Have a great week!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 9, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks so much Cristina!

      Reply
  17. Carly says

    July 4, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    This is a great guide for the clueless 🙂 I also find the pre-potted ones SO overpriced….this year I made allllll my own containers. We started our plants from seeds we saved last year, and so I couldn’t tell what colors I was putting it which baskets this year… it’s very eclectic on my deck LOL. But I saved like 300$… totally worth it and they’re still pretty.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Thanks for your comment Carly. I’ve never raised plants from seeds. I’d like to try doing that with my son one year to see how it turns out.

      Reply
  18. BloggerMummyLauren says

    July 4, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Oh it looks great at the end! This is perfect for me, as we only have a yard out the back and it’s so grey and boring!

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Thanks Lauren – it doesn’t take very long to put these together and it’s bright and colourful all season!

      Reply
  19. Mommy's Little Princesses says

    July 4, 2016 at 8:25 am

    This really makes me wish I had a garden or even somewhere for potted plants. Nicole these are some really useful and helpful tips for people like me who have no idea what we are doing. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.xx

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:42 pm

      Glad you found the post helpful! Thanks for stopping by and see you on Sunday at another #KCACOLS

      Reply
  20. Melissa Ruddy says

    July 4, 2016 at 7:10 am

    I am pinning this for the fall so I can make some a container garden when it is a little less hot in South Florida.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      Hi Melissa – glad you found the post helpful. In the fall we’ll be raking all of our leaves up here in Canada 🙂 not as much fun as planting a container garden that’s for sure!

      Reply
  21. Jen @Practical, By Default says

    July 4, 2016 at 6:51 am

    Very pretty. I have yet to garden at all this year. I think I will pass. Our summers are so short, but these are pretty. I wanted to thank you for putting a click to tweet in your post. So much easier to share 🙂 Which I love to do. #KCACOLS.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks for sharing my post Jen!

      Reply
  22. Tai East says

    July 3, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    I love this post! I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to visit with you today because I’ll definitely be following your helpful instructions. Thanks so much for sharing! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks Tai!

      Reply
  23. Geraldine says

    July 3, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Great tips! I’m terrible for just lobbing a plant into a container with very little thought. I’m excited about sprucing up our new house with beautiful container displays. I would have just bought them but think I’ll try your way instead. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      Hi Geraldine – have fun! If you end up planting your garden please tag me on Instagram @nicolesalamatenenbaum – I’d love to see the result!

      Reply
  24. Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) says

    July 3, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    I’ve pinned to read in a bit more detail over the week – I really want to sort out garden out (well, gardens, including the front), and I don’t have a clue where to start out. As a kid the only plant I ever managed not to kill was my cactus… 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      Hi Jess – this is a great place to start – small and simple and so pretty 🙂

      Reply
  25. Kate says

    July 3, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Oh I will definitely be trying this out. Our garden is in desperate need of some TLC! A lovely post #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks Kate! If you make a container garden tag me on instagram @nicolesalamatenenbaum I’d love to see the result

      Reply
  26. Emma Plus Three says

    July 3, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    This is a great idea and looks quite straight forward 🙂 x #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Hi Emma – yes it’s very easy. The most difficult part is making sure the plants have enough water especially on high heat days.

      Reply
  27. wendy says

    July 3, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Oh pretty!I’m not really in to gardening but this looks pretty easy and like a great way to brighten up your garden xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 5, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Wendy!

      Reply
  28. charlotte says

    July 3, 2016 at 3:37 am

    We have just started doing our own planters for our garden after just purchasing our house. We have never had a garden to plant in before. You are right shop bought planters can be expensive and not very inspiring. I have been buying pink and orange dahlias and gerberas they are so beautiful and bright #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      Hi Charlotte – I love dahlias they are so bright and pretty!

      Reply
  29. Fran Back With a Bump says

    July 3, 2016 at 2:43 am

    This is really pretty. I love colourful pots for the garden. #kcacols

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks Fran! I love all of the colours as well

      Reply
  30. Kim says

    July 2, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    I love doing containers! Great step by step guide too! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks Kim!

      Reply
  31. Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says

    July 2, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    These are great instructions, I am so bad at gardening and I always forget to water the plants. Luckily my husband and my daughter love doing the gardening together so they do it! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:07 pm

      So nice that your daughter and husband garden together. It is such a lovely bonding experience. I used to love gardening with my dad

      Reply
  32. Pen says

    July 2, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Your pot looks lovely. I have a balcony and loads of pots on it – so many pots in fact that there is barely room for my chairs. Pen x #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      Thanks Pen! If I had a balcony it would probably be similar 🙂

      Reply
  33. Michelle says

    July 2, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Nicole
    I saw your link @ Saucy Saturdays
    I love container gardens so pretty!
    Happy 4th!
    Michelle

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you Michelle! Happy 4th to you as well

      Reply
  34. Carol@blueskykitchen says

    July 2, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Love your step by step instructions. I’ve been gardening and planting for years, but it’s nice to see other suggestions. Thanks so much for sharing at Your Inspired Design Link Party.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      Thanks Carol I always enjoy seeing how other people put their gardens and homes together

      Reply
  35. Karen says

    July 2, 2016 at 4:46 am

    Love this. Have pinned it for future reference. Happy to have found you via #weekendblogshare.

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:02 pm

      Thanks very much Karen! Happy you found the post helpful

      Reply
  36. Mummy and the Mexicans says

    July 1, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    This is useful for me as I’m rubbish at gardening and need this kind of step-by-step guide! We don’t have a garden as such, just some pot plants at the front of the house. I’d really like to grow herbs, perhaps in a vertical garden maybe. Thanks foe sharing! #weekendblogshare

    Reply
    • Nicole Salama says

      July 3, 2016 at 10:01 pm

      Glad you found the post helpful. Love the idea of a vertical garden. I’m not sure how to build such a thing though

      Reply

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  3. Over the Moon Link Party #31 - says:
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Nicole Salama of The Professional Mom Project

About Me

Hi! I'm Nicole, a married working mom to one wonderful, active, sensitive, argumentative, talkative and hilarious nine year old boy (“R”) who brings joy and adventure to every aspect of our lives. Over the past several years our small family has faced some significant life challenges from health concerns and cancer to career overhauls. Every day we continue to learn and grow. I hope you will join in and share your experiences with me.

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