You don’t have to have a large plot of land and lots of gardening space to enjoy a garden — not as long as there is the huge variety of containers on the market. Container gardening is ideal when space is at a premium, whether it’s flowers or vegetables, or both for that matter. You just have to figure out the material you want the container made out of and what you want to plant in it.

There are 5 basic materials that plant containers are manufactured in:

• Clay
• Metal
• Stone
• Synthetic
• Wood

Clay containers are also called “Terra Cotta”. They are usually porous and dry out quickly, as well as not being frost resistant. Though they look nice, they are not always the wise choice.

Metal containers are nice and heavy so they are very good for keeping tall plants standing upright, but they also attract a lot of heat so the roots of the plant can bake. These are a great choice for the winter, but not for the other three seasons.

Stone containers (or concrete) are excellent for maintaining moisture and temperature of the soil. They do heat up, but they also have insulating qualities. These can be left out in any season. The only downside to concrete or stone containers is their weight.

Synthetic containers are usually made from fiberglass, plastic, or resin. Fiberglass and resin planters are lightweight and usually frost resistant. Plastic containers are also lightweight and very moisture conserving.

Wood containers have good water retention but they are prone to rot. Choose wood containers that are manufactured out of hardwood to resist the rot factor. Wood will expand and shrink with moisture, look for good joint construction. It is also recommended that you don’t let them sit directly on the ground.