How to grow a garden in a window box
The following are the steps for how to grow a garden in a window box:
Step one: Choose your garden type. It is obvious that you won't be able to grow things like corn, or pumpkins (at least not the large variety), melons, etc. in a window box garden simply because of the space limitation. However, you can choose between things like an herb garden filled with fresh rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, etc. Or, a flower garden, with a beautiful assortment of colors and varieties. But, no matter what you pick, determine if it is going to be able to grow in your climate, in the location of your window box (for example, will it get much sun?), etc. No matter how bad you want to grow Asian lilies, if you do not live where they can grow, you can't grow them.
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Step two: Prepare your soil. Before doing anything else you want to make sure that the soil you have in your window box is appropriate for growing a garden, no matter what type. So, do not just go and dig some dirt up, buy potting soil, or other nutrient rich soil, make sure it quality, or you will not be able to grow anything in it, except maybe some weeds.
Step three: Start at the right time. Your window box garden may be exempt from some of the growing conditions because it is not on the ground, but that does not mean you do not have to follow the seasons for growing. When the best time to start your garden, and plant your plants or seeds is will depend on what type of garden you want to grow in your window box, and where you live. Just be sure not to plant too early or too late. Talk to the expert at your local greenhouse or nursery if you are not sure.
Step four: Plant your garden. You will want to evaluate the size of your window box, and look at the planting instructions that come with your seeds or plants. For example, if your flowers need a certain amount of space, it would not be prudent to over-plant the box. So, make sure you give each plant ample room to grow.
Step five: Water and nourish your plants appropriately. Just as too little water can kill a garden or plant, so can too much. Be sure to look at the needs of the plants in your window box as far as water, sunlight, and fertilizer go. If they are normally a shade growing plant, and your have them in the sun several hours a day, you will likely need to water more often then calls for, and vice versa. So, keep these things in mind.
Step six: Keep the environment healthy. If you want your window box garden to grow, you have to keep the environment healthy. This means pull weeds, do not use too strong of weed killers, water appropriately, and protect your garden from too hot or too cold of temperatures. Frosts are bad, so is too intense of heat, for a garden of any kind. So, keep this in mind.
Step seven: Enjoy! A window box garden is one of a kind. So, whether you are using it to grow a few vegetables for your salad, some herbs for other cooking, or just for the pleasure of flowers and their fragrance, enjoy watching it grow!
