What does the term “container gardening” refer to?

The term "container gardening" specifically refers to the practice of growing plants in pots or other types of containers rather than directly planting them in the ground. This method of gardening is popular for various reasons, including the ability to control soil quality, mobility, and the potential to create visually appealing arrangements. Container gardening is particularly useful for those with limited outdoor space, such as urban dwellers, as well as for growing plants in unsuitable soil conditions.

Growing in containers allows for easier management of watering and feeding requirements, making it ideal for annuals, perennials, vegetables, and even herbs. This approach offers flexibility in terms of location; containers can be moved to take advantage of optimal sunlight and can be easily relocated during seasonal changes.

The other options do not align with the definition of container gardening. Planting directly into garden soil involves traditional gardening methods that do not utilize containers. Gardening solely with native plants focuses on plant selection rather than the cultivation method. Lastly, growing plants in hydroponic systems refers to a soilless growing method, which does not necessarily involve the use of containers as commonly understood in container gardening.