Container Gardener's Handbook: Pots, Techniques, and Projects to Transform Any Space

by Frances Tophill

With over 40 projects to make your own creative containers, Container Gardener's Handbook will show you how to reveal the full potential of overlooked pots and transform your garden. Whether you have only a modest balcony, a small square of patio, or just a windowsill, you can add greenery to your life! Container Gardener's Handbook covers a range of different planting techniques and types of containers, from urns and troughs to chimney stacks and hanging baskets. You’ll find expert advice here on what to grow, from bonsais, bulbs, and bamboos to tumbling and creeping plants and flowers. Learn how to make a living wall, a pond in a metal trough, and even your own homemade containers. There are 41 inspired projects for creative and sustainable container gardens that will bring nature to even the most inhospitable and smallest of spaces. Discover how to choose the right size, shape, and materials for your container. Learn how to pair plants and pots, upcycle existing items, and create your own containers. Get expert advice on drainage, compost, additives, fertilizers, mulch, feeding, watering, deadheading, and more. It all comes with step-by-step instructions and bright, informative photography. Turn your small spaces into lush, beautiful natural wonders!

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Crafts, Adult

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2019

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography showing lovely plants and containers! I skimmed this book, looking for ideas to plant edibles in containers after I move to a smaller home. The author mentions edibles briefly here and there in the book. Her focus is non-edibles, creating containers, and looking for ideal spaces for plants in small spaces.

[Cathy Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings a fresh perspective on container gardening with options for different potting mediums and fall to spring ideas. If you like container gardening, this is a must read.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy book. Lots of things I want to try in here! Instructions are simple (maybe a little too simple?) and the pictures are pretty. I like that it tells you how long the project should take to do. The beginning of the book focuses on types of pots, types of soils, fertilizers, mulches, and additives. The second half is project ideas.

[Gen L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cute projects that actually seem possible.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't really what I was looking for. This book is more about aesthetic and design rather than growing food in containers. There was some great info on types of soil and drainage that I hadn't read yet. Lots of fun and cool looking planter design projects in the back of the book. Four out of five stars.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not essential. Some of the projects don't seem to have enough detail for success (for example, the trough pond). This is a good one to flip through for ideas, but look elsewhere for the actual practicalities.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book for any skill level.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid on all the basics but with imaginative ideas as well: a great mix. excellent photos.

[Deepti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book for growing container plants. Bookmarked the instructions on type of containers and soil to use.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas (and pictures) here. I appreciated the explanation and design principles of container shapes and materials.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many clever and creative ideas! Beautiful glossy photos with step by step instructions.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of cute ideas and inspiration in a variety of gardening design styles.

[Kaitlin Jundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and easy ideas!! Can't wait to try some out!

[Nefol_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information was nothing new and the tone was rather like an adult to a child. There were a few crafty instructions for decorating pots.

[SassieMolassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just okay. Some decent info, but honestly I didn't care for most of the upcycling projects. I was hoping for more info on companion container gardening. This book wasn't for me.