Container gardens add color, a touch of nature

Green-thumbed apartment and condo dwellers can get in touch with nature and add beauty to patios, balconies and window boxes. Container gardens can be beautiful.

Places that get full sun can be used to grow almost any flower or vegetable. Others are good for shade or part-sun plants.

Almost any container with adequate drainage will do, but be sure it is large enough for what you want to grow. Small pots should contain just one plant. Large pots can hold groups that favor the same growing conditions.

A soil base works best for plants that will remain in their pots for a year or more. Containers require frequent watering, but adding moist granules composed of polymer to the soil will help. In dry spells, the granules release their water.

Because frequent watering can leach nutrients from the soil, plan to fertilize regularly.