When You Need it Quick, Fast and in a Hurry: One-Stop Container Garden Planning

We at Getaway Gardens understand how procrastination happens, and we are here to help. So, you’ve been meaning to put your garden together, but just haven’t gotten started yet. Now you’re afraid that it’s too late. Au contraire mon frere! There is plenty of time to plant. We refuse to leave any want-to-be gardener behind! Below, you can select a button to “shop” our pre-selected container planting options, that minimize your research and perusing efforts for your garden planning.

Do you already have an idea of what you would like to grow? No time for starting from seed? Then explore your local nurseries and online options (like Bonnie Plants) for ready to plant seedlings. View our Planting Guide for help selecting the correct planter size and proper spacing. Then click here for links to various planter options. If you are not yet certain what your wish to plant, select from the buttons below and peruse some options.

Aromatic Container Garden

Selections for this garden type often include both flowers and herbs. You may already have some in mind, but if you need inspiration or need examples of some possible choices, see the slideshow, below.

*Note: Mint should be planted alone because its runners can be invasive. Any combination of sage, lavender, rosemary or other Mediterranean herbs will grow well together. Other than the fragrance from the blooms, crushing or rubbing the leaves of aromatic herbs emits additional fragrance. If planning a combination container, be certain that your selections share similar light and water requirements.

Click here for links to find planter options near you.

Edible Container Garden

Vegetables and herbs are great container garden choices. Examples of some easy to grow vegetables for containers include corn, chili peppers, bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, bush and pole beans. You will need at least 5 gallon planters for each, but larger pots (> 5 gal, 18 inches or more in diameter) for larger plant varieties, plants with deeper roots, or if you wish to grow multiple plants per container, including pairing your vegetables with herbs or flowers. See our Planting Guide for details regarding spacing and planter size.

*Note: Selecting patio tomatoes and patio or bush-type cucumbers and other squash means less space and fewer physical supports required. These seedlings or seeds are available to purchase at local nurseries, and online. If you decide to select indeterminate tomatoes despite this challenge, it is best to select the largest containers

Good companion planting pairings: Chili/bell peppers do well with scented geranium, basil, chives, marigolds. Cucumbers do well with marigolds, nasturtium, and dill. Tomatoes pair well with basil, chives and borage. Corn pairs well with marjoram and basil. Squash grows well with marigolds, rosemary/oregano/or borage, and nasturtium. Beans benefit from being planted with marigolds and rosemary. Marigolds and chives deter several insect pests and are good companion plants for just about everything!

Click here for more information on herbs.

Click here for links to find planter options near you.

Mosquito-Repelling Container Garden

It is often the blooms and/or the oils in the plants that deter mosquitoes. For the latter, it may be necessary to crush some of the leaves, unless you plan to extract and make your own essential oils and mosquito repellant from your garden. Below are a few options of plants that will do the trick.

If you are interested in extracting the oils from your herbs to make essential oils for mosquito repellants, fragrant sprays, etc, here is a resource for you.

Click here for links to find planter options near you.

Pollinator Attracting Container Garden

Plants included in this garden type have blooms that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, hummingbirds, and perching birds. *Note: This also includes flowering herbs.

Click here for links to find planter options near you.

Ornamental Container Gardens

Any flowers, herbs, vegetables, shrubs or grasses that you grow for effect, whether visual, scent or otherwise, can be considered ornamental. Selecting flowers and flowering shrubs to meet a preferred color scheme, selecting plants for the color, pattern, shape or texture of their foliage or blooms, and selecting plants solely due to a desired fragrance, all qualify as ornamental gardening. It is a matter of personal preference. If you want an ornamental container garden but are uncertain of your theme, view the images for the other garden types in this post, or visit your local nurseries for inspiration.

Planter Options _{(budget and intermediate cost)}

• Five-Gallon Containers (1 cubic ft or ~26 qts of potting soil, each)
  • Budget Fabric 5-Pack
  • Budget Plastic 5-Pack
  • Budget Single Plastic Planter
  • Intermediate Single Resin Planter
  • Intermediate Single Resin Planter

• Seven-Gallon Containers (1.5 cubic ft or at ~38 qts of potting soil, each)
  • Budget Fabric 5-Pack
  • Budget Single Resin Planter
  • Faux Half-Wine Barrel (Intermediate)

• Ten-Gallon Containers (2 cubic ft or ~52 qts of potting soil, each)
  • Budget Fabric 5-Pack
  • Budget Fabric 5-Pack

• 15-Gallon Fabric Container (3 cubic ft or ~78 qts of potting soil, each)

Basic Planter Setup

Once you seedlings are about ready for the outdoors, click here to learn how to harden them off and transplant them successfully.

Do you need more guidance? Learn more on How to Customize Your Container Garden Arrangement, here.