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In spite of growing urbanization and population, the popularity of gardening has not declined. While gardening is just a hobby for some, others take it quite seriously. Among other categories, kitchen gardens have turned out to be a huge hit among people today. As suggested by the name, kitchen gardening refers to growing vegetables or herbs on a small plot of land. However, due to lack of space, one can grow vegetables on the balcony or terrace of their house using pots and planters. Kitchen gardening not only ensures a regular supply of fresh, nutritious vegetables, but also detoxifies and cleans the air. Myna Batavia, Founder, Green Carpet shares some interesting tips to enhance kitchen with different kind of planters.
- Traditionally, kitchen gardens have been considered mainly as a source for growing vegetables and herbs. However, kitchen gardens if planned properly, can add an aesthetic value. Using fancy ceramic pots of different sizes and shapes can enhance the décor of balconies, open spaces and terrace. Well-designed pots or planters also reflect a person's taste. Looking at the current trend, large ceramic bowls are a top pick among gardeners.
- Using ceramic pots for kitchen gardening has several advantages. Made from finely textured clay, ceramic pots look visually appealing, upgrading the aesthetical appeal of the garden. Besides this, ceramic pots provide a better air and water flow for the plants. Also since ceramic pots are more water absorbing, they are good for the plants that require more drainage.
- Carefully-crafted ceramic pots are no less than a work of art. Not only domestic gardeners, corporate offices, educational institutes are also opting for decorative ceramic pots.
- Of course, material of the pots plays a vital role, but there are some other factors that need to be kept in mind while growing a kitchen garden. Choosing the pot of right size and shape is also equally important. Pots must be picked depending on the vegetable or fruit one wants to grow. When growing vegetables like lettuce and other salad leaves, a large, rectangular planter should be used as they need more space to grow. Tomatoes, peppers and similar fruit plants require even a larger root zone. Moreover, since rectangular planters are large, one can cultivate number of plants in a single planter.
- If the planter is not large enough, the plants won't be able to grow properly. Before choosing a container or planter, one should check if the plant's root depth is in line with the container's size. Another advantage of using rectangular container is less requirement of water. In areas where water scarcity is an issue, rectangular container is a right choice as they don't need to be watered as frequently as tapered pots.