A container garden can be the solution to small spaces, porches, patios, balconies. If you rent, and don’t want to dig up the yard, or don’t have a yard, but want fresh vegetables, container vegetable gardening may be right for you.
As well, plants in pots can be moved, if needed. For larger pots, look into plant skateboards – small platforms on wheels- or use a dolly.
First, review the raised bed section of this website. A raised bed with a bottom becomes a container.
Second, review the section on organic soil.
Using a nutrient-rich, moisture-holding soil will ensure successful container gardening. For containers, add extra perlite or vermiculite to increase moisture-holding capacity and reduce weight.
For tips on growing organic vegetables in containers, scroll down toward the bottom of the page.
Container Ideas
A wide array of items can be used as containers for a container garden. Here are some ideas:
- black plastic pots – These are available at home improvement stores and are relatively inexpensive. A garden center might give you some if you ask. Very durable and light.
- terra cotta pots – Terra cotta looks nice and is available in a huge array of sizes and shapes. Terra cotta breathes, so if keeping water on your plants is an issue, you may want to use something else. Not as durable as plastic. At some point, terra cotta needs to be replaced. Prices range from inexpensive to fairly expensive.
- concrete pots – Compared to terra cotta, concrete pots are much more durable and much more heavy. They are priced about the same as some of the more pricey terra cotta pots.
- whiskey barrels – These barrels are very popular and garden centers usually sell them. They hold a lot of soil, so multiple plants can do well in them. One barrel may be all you need.
- other items – Let your creativity go wild. All kind of items, often free, can be used for a container garden. Free plastic buckets can be obtained from grocery and convenience stores. Hint, if your grocery store has a bakery, check there first. Just remember to drill drainage holes in the bottom. Other items to reuse include, tin cans, bathtubs, water troughs, wash tubs, old cooking pots. Avoid cheaper, plastic containers, the plastic can degrade quickly. Food and industrial grade plastics are the most durable.
Container Garden Hints
Drain holes Make sure your container has drain holes. Drain holes can be easily made in plastic or metal with a drill or nail. If you have potato bug or earwig problems, you may want to cover the drain hole(s) with window screen. This may also discourage ants.Filling the pot
Don’t fill the pot all the way to the top. Leave a couple of inches so you can flood the pot with water. If your soil is exceptionally loose and light, as it sometimes is from bags, pack it down as you plant.
Preparing the plant
Gently remove the plant from its original pot by grasping the stem as close to the soil line as possible. Gently pull on the stem while squeezing the pot to remove it. Loosen the roots by pulling them with your fingers. Pay close attention to the bottom. It’s okay to break them a little.
Making the plant happy
Give your plant a comfortable new home by watering in well after planting. And then water again 1/2 day to a day later. This especially critical if your potting soil was dry to begin with. Cover with mulch. If you are in a hot, or dry, or both climate, a good layer of mulch can make all the difference in the world. Mulch will hold moisture in the soil, and especially helps shield new plantings from hot sun.
Designing a container garden
When designing a container garden, the first question to ask is – What do you like to eat and look at? Although this site is about growing organic vegetables and fruits, I’m all for gardening for beauty.
With a container garden, you can create different levels of visual appeal, whereas the traditional garden tends to be on one visual plane.
Do you want to create a screen between yourself and the neighbors? Some dwarf fruit trees might do the trick. In southern climates, lemons and other citrus can be grown in containers. Plant in a 10 or 15 gallon pot, and be prepared to move indoors, unless you live in Miami or Phoenix.
Can I grow strawberries in a container, you may ask. Yes, strawberries and blueberries grow quite well in containers. Blueberries need an acidic soil. This can be achieved by adding granular sulfur to the soil. Strawberries are somewhat weed like, and do well as long as they get enough moisture. Use a strawberry jar or any other container. Both strawberries and blueberries can tolerate a lot of cold, and will most likely return in the spring. Lettuce and greens do great in small containers, and will provide a summer of fresh salads. They will also add a burst of bright green to your container garden. Tomatoes and peppers do very well in containers. Plant 1 plant per 5 gallon pot. Be sure to mulch if you live in a hot climate. Hanging baskets can be filled with cherry tomatoes, peas, cucumbers or beans. It’s all up to your imagination.Tips for growing organic vegetables:
Growing potatoes in a bin More growing potatoes in a bin How to grow upside down tomatoes
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