Container gardening is an easy way to garden, especially when you lack yard space.
In addition to providing 5 hours or more of full sun, you must give attention to choosing the proper container, using a good soil mix, observing planting and space requirements, fertilizing, watering, and selecting appropriate varieties.
Here are our recommendations on which vegetable varieties are container-friendly—and which container types are most suitable for each veggie.
Beans, snap
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: Bush 'Blue Lake', Bush 'Romano', 'Tender Crop'
Broccoli
Container: 1 plant/5 gallon pot, 3 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'DeCicco', 'Green Comet'
Carrots
Container: 5-gallon window box at least 12 inches deep
Varieties: 'Danvers Half Long', 'Short 'n Sweet', 'Tiny Sweet'
Cucumbers
Container: 1 plant/1-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Patio Pik', 'Pot Luck', 'Spacemaster'
Eggplant
Container: 5-gallon pot
Varieties: 'Black Beauty', 'Ichiban', 'Slim Jim'
Lettuce
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Ruby', 'Salad Bowl'
Onions
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'White Sweet Spanish', 'Yellow Sweet Spanish'
Peppers
Container: 1 plant/2-gallon pot, 5 plants/15-gallon tub
Varieties: 'Cayenne', 'Long Red', 'Sweet Banana', 'Wonder', 'Yolo'
Radishes
Container: 5-gallon window box
Varieties: 'Cherry Belle', 'Icicle'
Tomatoes
Container: Bushel basket
Varieties: 'Early Girl', 'Patio', 'Small Fry', 'Sweet 100', 'Tiny Tim'
Tips for Growing in Containers
Clay pots are usually more attractive than plastic ones, but plastic pots retain moisture better. To get the best of both, slip a plastic pot into a slightly larger clay pot.
Avoid small containers. They often can't store enough water to get through hot days.
Add about 1 inch of course gravel in the bottom of the container to improve drainage.
Vegetables that can be easily transplanted are best suited for containers. Transplants can be purchased from local nurseries or started at home.
Feed container plants at least twice a month with liquid fertilizer, following the instructions on the label.
An occasional application of fish emulsion or compost will add trace elements to container soil.
Place containers where they will receive maximum sunlight and good ventilation. Watch for and control insect pests.
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1 comment:
What a great idea, I like how you give enough variety of vegetables that can be grown by every city dweller. you show how it is possible to be somewhat independant of the corporate machine that the government allows to sell that contain 'safe' level of mercury, lead and other toxic chemicals. We have to start feeding ourselves. You don't have to look very far to see that all government regulations are based on the least compliance as defined by the lobby groups that grow and distribute food stuffs. Good ideas!
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