Teaching Kids about Plant Containers
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| Faux terracotta pots are composed of a type of plastic that is more durable than the traditional clay. |
Container gardening is a popular way to grow vegetable, herbs, flowers, and even small trees and shrubs in a small space. In urban areas or around schools, containers are often the best option for teaching kids about growing plants. But before you go out and plant in just any old pot, you need to understand the differences in containers and teach kids about them as well.
All containers need drainage holes so water doesn't accumulate in the soil. Also, they need to be sturdy enough to hold the soil and the plant you're growing, especially when it's mature. Here are some popular containers on the market.
Clay Pots
Terracotta pots look beautiful and are perfect for certain plants. Describe the characteristics of terracotta to your kids. Clay pots breathe, so the soil dries out quickly, making them great for geraniums and portulaca. However, they can crack easily with winter's freezing and thawing, so they need to be protected.
Plastic Pots
The most widely used and cheapest pots are the dark green or white plastic pots. There are many different versions of these now on the market. They're more durable than clay, but don't dry out as quickly. Plants that like a consistent moisture level, such as cucumbers, would do best in these containers.
Self-Watering Pots
This is a relatively new type of plastic pot that looks like terracotta but has the durability of plastic. The pots come in many shapes and sizes. The key feature is a water reservoir in the bottom with a false bottom above it to hold the soil. The false bottom has perforations that naturally let the water migrate into the dry soil. You can grow a variety of plants, such as tomatoes, in these self-watering containers and you won't have to worry about daily watering. Explain to your kids that the process of osmosis allows the water to naturally move into the dry soil.
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