Spring is here, which means many green-thumbed Chicagoans are dreaming of the gardening season ahead. Rest assured that no matter how big or small your outdoor space may be, you have room to grow some beautiful plants. 

Container gardening is a great option for smaller spaces. Anyone with a deck, patio, balcony or stoop can easily grow a thriving container garden in Chicago or try their hand at indoor gardening! 

Whether you're interested in growing vegetables and herbs for the table or simply cultivating some charming annual flowers, our real estate agents are here to share some gardening tips for container growing in the Chicago area. 

• Choose Your Container
  First things first, pick out containers for your garden. There are a few factors to consider here, the most important of which are the amount of space you have to work with and the overall look you're going for. For gardeners with truly limited space, smaller containers (and smaller plants) are a natural option.
  
  If you have more room, feel free to go big. Classic terracotta or colored plastic pots are affordable options that look great and are available in a variety of sizes. Other choices range from wooden crates and hanging baskets to glazed clay pottery and stone vessels. Just make sure whatever containers you use have drainage holes in the bottom. 
  
  
• Select Your Plants
  Picking the right plants helps set you up for gardening success! Many gardeners select plants based on USDA hardiness zones (Chicago is located within Zone 5 and Zone 6). That being said, most container plants are grown as annuals, so you don't have to restrict yourself to any particular zone. The options are virtually endless.
  
  Vegetables that grow well in containers include tomatoes, peppers, squash and various leafy greens. Peas and beans will thrive if they have a trellis to climb on and herbs, including rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and parsley, thrive in containers. If you are growing a purely ornamental garden, choose a variety of flowering and non-flowering plants that look good together.
  
  
• Soil, Water and Fertilizer
  Choose the potting mix based on what type of plants you intend to grow. Different mixes are available for flowering annuals, vegetables, succulents and other plant types. In general, soilless mixtures composed of peat moss, vermiculite and perlite are well suited to container gardens because they are light, quick-draining and promote ample root growth.
  
  The addition of starter fertilizer will depend on the needs of your plants. Many soil mixes come with fertilizer included, so be sure to read the instructions to avoid over-fertilizing. Moisten the soil before planting and continue to water as needed. Potting soil mixes tend to dry quickly and require frequent watering as the weather warms up. Always water before adding fertilizer as well.
  
  
• Arrange Your Garden
  Place taller plants in the center of your container garden, with smaller plants arranged around it so that everything gets a suitable amount of light. Group plants with similar needs together — sun-loving plants will get plenty of light and shade-tolerant plants can have it made in the shade.
  
  Another good strategy is to group plants with contrasting colors and textures together to create interest. Remember that your arrangement isn't set in stone! The advantage of planting in multiple containers is that you can move each individual container around to achieve the look you want while ensuring that each plant gets what it needs. 

Contact us today to learn more about living life to the fullest in the area. We've helped countless families find their dream homes in these Chicagoland neighborhoods and we're here to help you find yours every step of the way.