Windowbox

Windowbox aims to provide all the help and information you could need to successfully grow plants in containers. On top of this, it's witty, intelligent, and entertaining. The site design is clear and funky with quirky illustrations, and obvious links make browsing aournd very simple. Inevitably some features are only for the US, but this site is definitely worth a look. It has a strong community feel and is committed to encouraging urban gardening.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Floracle asks you several questions about your climate, your garden, the sizes and types of plants you want to grow, and your dedication to their welfare. It then offers a list of suitable plants, both annuals and perennials, with more details and cultivation hints if you click. It gives some great ideas for unusual, beautiful, and edible plants.

The Plant Game bills itself as 'the slowest game on the internet'. It's the horticultural equivalent of a virtual pet - you must water, feed, and care for your own little seedling and grow it into a healthy, glamorous flower. You'll need to visit every day, and keep a look out for pests and diseases. Great fun. If you don't have Shockwave on your computer, it's downloadable here, as you'll need it for the game.

The Experts is a uniquely original feature written in a quirkily retro style. Four fictional experts, each with a hilarious and capivating personal biography, specialise in a particular area of container gardeing. Their main subject areas are clickable and lead to a substantial list of short topical articles, and there is also a quick tip. Real biographical details of the contributors are listed in this section, along with their substantial qualifications.

Dr Botnic PhD looks at the science of plants in The basics of botany, Understanding your microclimate, and Soil - don't call it dirt.

The Care Counselor helps to nurture good relationships with your plants in Watering - its trickier than you think, Feeding, Forces of Evil, and Propagation and other intimacies.

gives advice on planning and designing your garden: Planning your garden, Placing containeres, Planting a harmonious container and Neighbourhood politics.

Chef Clive looks at the productive container garden in Using herbs and flowers, entertaining on your balcony, and Making your balcony a private haven.