Most of us don’t have the time, space, or energy to design and cultivate a large outdoor garden. So what should we do if we’re craving some homegrown fruits, vegetables, or herbs, or looking to add a colorful splash of flowers to a back deck or front porch? The answer is simple: container gardening. Growing your own plants in containers is the perfect way to liven up a living space without much of the hassle associated with traditional gardening. With container gardens, you can control and manage plants and flowers with ease, add bursts of color and interest almost anywhere you like, easily extend the planting season beyond your usual growing season, and create warm and friendly environments that match specific occasions and events. Perhaps the best part is that you can still plant anything in a container that you would in an in-ground garden: perennials, annuals, grasses, vegetables, fruits, and even trees. All it takes is an understanding of the essentials of container gardening, as well as access to some of the same design tips, tricks, and techniques that trained gardeners and landscape artists use to create unforgettable natural displays. And all of this you can find in the six lessons of How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips and Techniques. Delivered by award-winning horticulturalist and master gardening educator Melinda Myers, this series gives you the essentials of container gardening and the expert know-how to grow practically anything you want in as small a space as you have available. In every lesson, you’ll be immersed in real situations that reveal ideas and solutions that will work for your container garden throughout the year.
How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips & Techniques

Trailer

01: Designs in a Pot-Thrillers, Spillers, Fillers
There's a lot to container gardening, but this session gives you the perfect starting point for creating your own wonderful gardens. Start with a detailed look at the varieties of containers out there (from improved plastics to concrete to self-watering) and how to find the right soil mix-or even make your own. Then, discover one of the keys to designing a powerful container garden-the "thriller, ...

02: Create a New Space-Edibles and Ornamentals
Patios, small decks, fire escapes-whatever your space constraints, there are a wealth of container gardening ideas and designs you can enjoy. Taking you through several seasons, this lesson shows you how to take advantage of small spaces to blend ornamentals and edibles (such as tomatoes and blueberries) and come up with creative solutions for everyday gardening challenges, including color balance...

03: Unusual Pots, Vertical Spaces, Shade Design
Ms. Myers shows you how to start thinking outside the traditional container with some unique ideas for making garden containers from a range of found or recycled items, including buckets, shoes, and teapots. Also, learn how to better choose specific plants and containers to decorate walls or fences that can be stubborn to plant around; find out what edible and decorative plants grow best in areas ...

04: Grasses to Trees-Big Plants in Containers
Large plants in large containers can offer perplexing design challenges when it comes to space, color, plant care, and privacy. Which trees, shrubs, and large ornamental grasses are right for your space? What are some tricks to designing with them and maintaining their health throughout the seasons? How can you effectively use large containers to screen bad views, create a focal point, provide a v...

05: Outdoor Living Areas and Special Features
Start by learning how to approach outdoor seating and lounging areas from the gardener's perspective and discover how to mix and match containers and plants to create the mood you want. Then, find out some tried-and-true ways to solve the pesky problems of common pests and plagues (from aphids to mosquitos to plant rot). Finally, dabble in the creation of eye-catching theme gardens, such as a trop...

06: Cool-Season Changes and Indoor Gardens
It's never too soon to start thinking about container gardening in cool-season weather. Here, Ms. Myers offers fantastic ideas for adding fall color to your outdoor container gardens and for taking care of your gardens during autumn and winter. She also shows you how to move your plants indoors or plant new indoor container gardens so you can enjoy your plants all year long. Plus, you'll also find...