Unfortunately, as living quarters or lifestyles change, people sometimes fail to adapt with the changes. What many people don't realise is that they can have beautiful container gardens that will produce wonderful flowers, vegetables and herbs all in a few tidy containers.

When planning to create a container garden first you need to acknowledge your strengths and limitations. For example, seniors do not want to move heavy pots around for sun exposure, or a change of scenery, so if you like to a lot of change it's best to choose smaller containers which are raised from the ground and accommodate your needs.

For those gardeners who suffer from lower back pain, ensure that the containers are in easy reach, and not forcing you to bend down to the garden. Container gardens have the ability to bring the garden to the gardener.

There are two important factors -- after the comfort factor of course -- when designing your container garden. First, the gardener needs to take into consideration the amount of sun or shade accessible where the container garden will grow.

Lisa Lautenbach, owner and operator of The Watering Can Garden Centre in Vineland offers some valuable advice. "Shade plants will wilt in sun and the sun plants will not develop to their potential if grown in the shade," said Lautenbach. "People like the container gardens because it provides instant success and very little weeding, but they need to be planned properly," Lautenbach added.

Container plants will drown in water if there isn't proper drainage, or in contrast to drowning; the plants will wilt and dry much faster than ground gardens, if not watered frequently. Make sure the containers have drainage holes and be sure to have a watering schedule which ensures the plants are watered every second day.

There are some pros and cons to container gardens. The plants seem to be at the mercy of the gardener and the gardener's diligence to care for the garden. If not cared for properly the plants will die quickly; however, container gardens when nurtured can bring instant beauty and pleasure to the gardener.

Communities in Bloom is a non-profit Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and the challenge of a friendly competition. The Town of Lincoln is participating in the program for the first time. Bernice Booth is the coordinator of the program at the town.