Just because you don't have a yard doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful garden. Container gardens are perfect for people who live in apartments or in areas where soil conditions are not optimum. Containers come is a variety of colors, shapes, materials and sizes that suit any style. Create separate container gardens of flowers, vegetables and herbs or mix them together for an eclectic look.
Impatiens
Impatiens are popular because they are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors. It is best to use a soil-less mix rather than garden soil when growing them in a container. Water regularly and fertilize weekly.
Begonias
Begonias are most commonly white, pink, yellow or scarlet, but a variety of hybrids have been cultivated because of their attractive flowers and leaves. Begonias can be grown outside year-round in tropical and subtropical climates but are grown as annuals or houseplants in temperate environments.
Marigolds
Marigolds take 45 to 50 days to flower after their seeds are planted. Plant them indoors in late March or early April and move them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Keep the soil moist but not wet and remove dead flower heads for continuous blooms.
Cacti
Create a decorative container garden with various species of cacti. These easy-to-care-for plants are perfect for those without a "green thumb."
Rosemary
Rosemary should be put in a separate container from other herbs because it likes to dry out between waterings, not sit in water. This herb dries well and can be moved indoors next to a sunny window during the winter.
Basil
Keep your basil leaves and stems plump and juicy with plenty of water, but watch out for mildew. This container plant needs plenty of airflow.
Lettuce
Always have fresh greens on hand when you grow lettuce in your container garden. Lettuce prefers cool climates but needs only 6 to 8 inches of soil depth.
Tomato
Dwarf tomatoes need only 12 inches of soil depth to grow, and standard tomatoes need 24 inches. Pick your favorite variety to add to salads or make your grandma's Italian pasta sauce.
Jalapeno Peppers
The jalapeno pepper is a medium-sized chili pepper that is 2 to 3 1/2 inches long and commonly eaten while still green. Occasionally, it is allowed to overripen to a crimson red. For any variety of pepper, you need about 16 inches of soil depth.
Carrots
Carrots are used in a variety of dishes -- salads, soups, stews and even cakes. The root vegetable is good for container gardens because it needs only 10 inches of soil depth and a 10-by-10-inch area.