Editor’s Note: This is part 6 of our weekly gardening series, in which Ian will share tips and his experiences throughout the growing season. 
Pots & containers are a city gardener’s friend. In general, plants need sunlight, healthy soil, water and air to grow, and potting may offer your plants easier access to one or more of these natural elements in an urban setting. For example, the sunniest area of my garden happens to be in my paved driveway so for the last few years I have potted flowers and vegetables there. These plants also add aesthetic interest to the outside of my house. After several years tinkering with pots in the front and on the driveway side of my house, I noticed my neighbors began landscaping projects of their own. One pot led to another, and our street today is greener and more landscaped than before. First impressions are very important, and curb appeal could be the reason that a buyer chooses to look at your home. When potting vegetables, it is especially important to mix your soil with compost or other rich organic matter. This year, I also used kelp mulch, which is a good source of trace minerals. Watering should be a thorough soaking, at least until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot. This way, the deepest plant roots will reach water as if they are absorbing natural groundwater. Be careful not to water too often though, since over-watering is the leading cause of death of houseplants. Relatively new to the market are self-watering containers that draw water up from the bottom of the pot, again as if the plant is absorbing natural groundwater. You can also make your own self-watering planter with a few simple household tools. Self-watering planters are especially good for professionals with the desire, but little time for a garden. Certain plants do very well in pots, including mint, strawberries and fruit trees. In April, I purchased two fruit trees to grow in pots: a dwarf apple tree and a dwarf pear tree. I’m getting creative with my apple tree by espaliering it. Espaliering is the process of restraining a plant’s growth to accommodate a two-dimensional space. I have my apple tree growing horizontally against a southwest-facing fence, and I have been trimming it over time to continue its growth pattern. See the photos of my apple tree’s transformation this spring! Other plants that lend themselves to training are grapes, some berries, figs, pears, etc. So, my advice is to get creative with your potting, and don’t be afraid to experiment with more exotic techniques like espaliering. Some plants even winter over, and can provide outdoor greenery/interest year round. I keep boxwood shrubs in pots in front of my house through the year (key is to properly insulate the roots with soil and to keep the plant in a sunny location), and they can be decorated for the season. Photos: 
Pots & containers are a city gardener’s friend. In general, plants need sunlight, healthy soil, water and air to grow, and potting may offer your plants easier access to one or more of these natural elements in an urban setting. For example, the sunniest area of my garden happens to be in my paved driveway so for the last few years I have potted flowers and vegetables there. These plants also add aesthetic interest to the outside of my house. After several years tinkering with pots in the front and on the driveway side of my house, I noticed my neighbors began landscaping projects of their own. One pot led to another, and our street today is greener and more landscaped than before. First impressions are very important, and curb appeal could be the reason that a buyer chooses to look at your home. When potting vegetables, it is especially important to mix your soil with compost or other rich organic matter. This year, I also used kelp mulch, which is a good source of trace minerals. Watering should be a thorough soaking, at least until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot. This way, the deepest plant roots will reach water as if they are absorbing natural groundwater. Be careful not to water too often though, since over-watering is the leading cause of death of houseplants. Relatively new to the market are self-watering containers that draw water up from the bottom of the pot, again as if the plant is absorbing natural groundwater. You can also make your own self-watering planter with a few simple household tools. Self-watering planters are especially good for professionals with the desire, but little time for a garden. Certain plants do very well in pots, including mint, strawberries and fruit trees. In April, I purchased two fruit trees to grow in pots: a dwarf apple tree and a dwarf pear tree. I’m getting creative with my apple tree by espaliering it. Espaliering is the process of restraining a plant’s growth to accommodate a two-dimensional space. I have my apple tree growing horizontally against a southwest-facing fence, and I have been trimming it over time to continue its growth pattern. See the photos of my apple tree’s transformation this spring! Other plants that lend themselves to training are grapes, some berries, figs, pears, etc. So, my advice is to get creative with your potting, and don’t be afraid to experiment with more exotic techniques like espaliering. Some plants even winter over, and can provide outdoor greenery/interest year round. I keep boxwood shrubs in pots in front of my house through the year (key is to properly insulate the roots with soil and to keep the plant in a sunny location), and they can be decorated for the season. Photos: 
