Keter Planter: Easy Steps To Grow Your Garden

Keter offers a range of planters and raised garden beds that are perfect for gardening enthusiasts of all levels. Their products are designed with convenience and style in mind, providing an attractive and functional addition to any outdoor space. Keter's planters are made from durable materials, such as polypropylene resin, that mimic the look of wood or rattan without the risk of rotting, warping, or fading.

The Keter Easy Grow and Urban Bloomer planters are ideal for small spaces like balconies, patios, or windowsills. They feature a self-watering system, including a water reservoir and drainage tap, to prevent overwatering and root decay. The water gauge also indicates when plants need additional moisture. Assembly is simple and can be done by anyone.

Keter's planters are versatile and can be used for a variety of plants, from herbs and flowers to vegetables. They are perfect for those who want to grow their own produce or simply enhance the aesthetics of their outdoor space. With Keter, you can create a mobile garden, vertical garden, herb garden, or even a mini berry patch, making the most of your space.

Overall, Keter planters offer a convenient, stylish, and low-maintenance way to bring your gardening dreams to life.

Vertical Gardens: Utilise vertical space with trellises or wire mesh attached to the sides of the planter

Vertical gardening is a great way to add dimension to your growing spaces, and it's perfect for those with limited outdoor space. By utilising structures such as trellises or wire mesh attached to the sides of your Keter planter, you can create a beautiful and functional garden that takes advantage of vertical space. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Positioning Your Trellis:

To maximise sunlight, position your trellis on the north edge of your garden bed or next to a fence or wall. Alternatively, if you live in a hotter region, you can provide shade for sun-sensitive plants by placing the trellis on the south or west side, filtering the sunlight.

Choosing Plants:

Select plants that grow well in vertical gardens, such as vines, flowers, and vegetables. Some good options include annual flowering vines like black-eyed Susan vine, cardinal climber, and moonflower, or perennial vines like clematis hybrids and ivy. Edible options include fruiting vines like kiwi, Siberian gooseberries, and vining nasturtiums, as well as vegetables such as peas, squash, tomatoes, and pole beans.

Training Your Plants:

When your plants are small, you may need to gently guide or tie them to the trellis to encourage them to climb. Some plants, like climbing roses, need to be physically attached to the structure, while others, like morning glories, will twine themselves around the trellis openings.

Watering and Fertilising:

Plants grown vertically may need more frequent watering and fertilising as they are exposed to more light and wind. Keter planters with self-watering features can help with this, as they have water reservoirs and drainage systems that prevent overwatering and root decay.

Maintenance:

Vertical gardens require regular maintenance, including pruning, dusting, weeding, and occasionally replacing plants. Check that your wall can support the weight of a vertical garden, especially if you're creating a living wall with metal framing and felt.

Building Your Own Trellis:

If you want to build your own trellis, you can use materials like electrical conduit and wire mesh panels. Pound rebar into the ground, slide the electrical conduit over it, and fit the pieces together using plumbing fittings. Then, attach a cattle panel for the plants to climb. You can also use wall-mounted wire mesh panels or ladder mesh blocks for a quick and inexpensive option.

Herb Gardens: Position near the kitchen for easy access to fresh herbs

Herb gardens are a great way to elevate your culinary creations to a whole new level. Positioning your Keter planter near the kitchen ensures you have easy access to fresh herbs whenever you need them. Here are some tips to create a thriving herb garden:

Choose the Right Planter

Select a Keter planter that suits your space and the number of herbs you plan to grow. The Keter Urban Bloomer, for instance, is perfect for a compact herb garden with its 12.7-gallon soil capacity. It features a self-watering system, a drainage tap, and a water gauge, making it a convenient choice for your herb garden.

Select the Right Location

Place your Keter planter near a window that receives ample sunlight, preferably south-facing, to provide your herbs with adequate light. If your kitchen doesn't get much natural light, consider using a grow light to provide supplementary lighting for your herb garden.

Prepare the Planter

Before planting your herbs, ensure your Keter planter has adequate drainage holes. Herbs dislike having their roots sit in water, so good drainage is crucial. You can also add a weed barrier cloth or a landscape cloth at the bottom of the planter to prevent soil from escaping when you water the plants.

Choose the Right Soil

Fill your Keter planter with a well-draining soil mix. Herbs typically prefer a sandy soil that drains well. You can create your own mix by combining equal parts topsoil, compost, and coarse sand. This blend will provide your herbs with the ideal growing environment and ensure their roots have room to grow.

Select the Right Herbs

When choosing herbs for your Keter planter, consider their growth habits and water preferences. Herbs like rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage prefer drier soil and can be planted together. Herbs such as dill, cilantro, parsley, and basil like their soil to stay more consistently moist and can be grouped accordingly. Avoid planting mint with other herbs as it tends to spread and can overtake other plants.

Plant Your Herbs

Once you've selected your herbs, it's time to plant them in your Keter planter. Leave about half an inch of space between the soil surface and the top of the planter to make watering easier. Water the herbs thoroughly after planting, ensuring the water drains from the bottom of the pot.

Care for Your Herb Garden

Water your herb garden when the soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize your herbs regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer high in nitrogen to promote leaf growth. Maintain temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 to 60 degrees at night. Ensure your herb garden has adequate humidity, using a mister or humidifier if needed.

By following these steps and caring for your herb garden, you'll have a convenient and abundant supply of fresh herbs to enhance your culinary creations all year round.

Edible Landscaping: Combine flowering plants with edible crops for a beautiful and bountiful harvest

Keter offers a range of planters and raised garden beds that can be used for edible landscaping. These products provide an attractive and functional way to grow a variety of edible plants, combining beauty and practicality in your outdoor space. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a beautiful and bountiful edible landscape using Keter planters:

Choose the Right Planter

Select a Keter planter that suits your space and planting needs. The Keter Urban Bloomer, for example, is a raised garden bed with a self-watering system and a drainage tap, making it perfect for growing herbs and small plants. The Keter Easy Grow planter is another option, offering a spacious 31.7-gallon capacity and an elegant design.

Plan Your Landscape Design

Consider the overall design of your landscape, incorporating both edible plants and ornamental plantings. Think about the colors, textures, and growing requirements of each plant. Herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary add fragrance and flavor to your landscape, while vegetables like Swiss chard, kale, and peppers provide color and interest.

Combine Flowering Plants with Edible Crops

One of the key aspects of successful edible landscaping is mixing flowering plants with edible crops. Combine colorful vegetables like Swiss chard and kale with flowering plants to create a visually appealing and bountiful harvest. Not only will this approach enhance the beauty of your garden, but it can also help repel pests and increase flower production.

Incorporate Vertical Gardening

If you have limited space, consider using Keter planters for vertical gardening. Trellises, wall-mounted planters, and hanging baskets can be used to grow vining vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. This maximizes space and adds a unique visual element to your landscape.

Regular Maintenance

Just like any other landscaping project, your edible landscape will require regular maintenance. Remember to water, fertilize, and protect your plants from pests and diseases. Stay informed about local regulations regarding growing edible plants in residential areas.

By following these tips and utilizing Keter planters, you can create a beautiful and functional edible landscape that provides a sustainable source of fresh produce. Enjoy the benefits of a lush and inviting outdoor space while also reaping the rewards of your edible harvest!

Berry Patch: Grow your own berries in compact containers, even in small spaces

Growing your own berries in compact containers is a fun and rewarding endeavour. It's also easy to do, even if you only have a small space. All you need is the right type of planter, such as the Keter Easy Grow planter, and a bit of know-how. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting started:

Step 1: Choose the Right Planter

Select a planter that is large enough to accommodate the root systems of your chosen berry plants. For example, the Keter Easy Grow planter has a capacity of 31.7 gallons, which is ample space for growing a variety of berries. It also features a water reservoir and drainage system, which is important for keeping your plants properly hydrated.

Step 2: Select the Right Berry Varieties

When growing berries in containers, it's important to choose varieties that are more compact and better suited to limited spaces. For example, look for dwarf or thornless varieties of raspberries and blackberries, such as 'Raspberry Shortcake' or 'Baby Cakes'. For blueberries, try 'Peach Sorbet' or 'Jelly Bean', which are self-pollinating and perfect for containers. And when it comes to strawberries, almost any variety will do, but day-neutral or everbearing types are good choices for containers.

Step 3: Plant Your Berries

When planting your berries, be sure to use a high-quality potting mix that drains well. You can also mix in some compost to aid in water retention and introduce beneficial soil microbes. Leave enough space between each plant to allow for growth, and be sure to cover the roots with soil while keeping the crown slightly above the surface to prevent rot.

Step 4: Care for Your Berry Plants

Watering is critical when growing berries in containers. Check the soil moisture daily and water as needed. Fertilizer is usually not necessary in the first year, but you can add an organic fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants to your blueberries and raspberries in subsequent years. Pruning is also important, especially for raspberries and blackberries. Remove any dead canes at ground level, and for blackberries, prune the canes that have fruited just after the summer harvest.

Step 5: Overwinter Your Plants

If you live in a cold climate, you'll need to protect your berry plants from freezing temperatures. You can do this by moving the containers to an unheated garage for the winter, or by insulating them with mulch or chicken wire filled with straw. In milder climates, you may be able to simply move the pots to a protected area right up against your house.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to growing your own delicious berries in compact containers, even in a small space. Happy gardening!

Mobile Garden: Use planters with wheels to create a movable garden that can be rearranged as needed

Keter offers a range of planters that can be used to create a mobile garden. Here are some ideas for using Keter planters with wheels to create a movable and flexible garden space:

• Keter Urban Bloomer Planter: This planter features a self-watering system, a drainage plug, and a water gauge, making it perfect for growing herbs or small plants. With a capacity of 12.7 gallons, it is compact enough for balconies or patios and can be moved indoors during colder months. Its wood-look exterior and modern design make it an attractive addition to your outdoor space.
• Keter Easy Grow Planter: With a capacity of 31.7 gallons, this rectangular planter is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. It features a simple design and easy assembly, making it a convenient choice for those who want to create a mobile garden without extensive setup.
• Keter Splendor Raised Garden Bed: For a larger mobile garden option, consider the Keter Splendor Raised Garden Bed, which offers a capacity of 31.7 gallons. This planter is designed to look and feel like wood but without the risk of rotting, warping, or fading. It also features reinforced metal for durability and better drainage.
• Keter Maple Raised Garden Bed: If you're looking for a more compact option, the Keter Maple Raised Garden Bed is a great choice. With a capacity of 12.7 gallons, it is perfect for urban settings or small spaces. It features the same durable construction as other Keter planters, ensuring your mobile garden is safe and secure.

When creating a mobile garden with Keter planters, consider the following tips:

• Use planter caddies or wheel trays: If you don't want to build your own mobile planter, you can purchase planter caddies or wheel trays that fit large planters. This option is ideal for patio, rooftop, or balcony gardeners who want the flexibility to move their plants.
• Add casters to your Keter planter: Many Keter planters can be modified by adding casters to the base, allowing you to create your own mobile planter. This option may require some DIY skills and additional hardware.
• Consider the weight of the planter: When creating a mobile garden, ensure that the planter is not too heavy to move once it's filled with soil and plants. Consider the weight of the planter itself, as well as the weight of the soil and plants you intend to use.
• Choose the right plants: Select plants that are suitable for the size and dimensions of your Keter planter. Herbs, flowers, and small vegetables are often good choices for mobile gardens.

Frequently asked questions