Container Vegetable Gardening Tips
Vegetable gardening in containers is great for those who do not have the space for a large size garden. For those living in apartments, condominiums, and homes with small yards, container vegetable gardening is the best or perhaps the only way to grow vegetables. Containers make it easier to reach plants for care and maintenance. It is better to grow vegetables in containers than in soil such as sand, stone, or clay. Growing container vegetables is easy and very practical.
Choosing the Right Container for Gardening
Choose planters that will have a good appearance in the area you will be placing them. Use your imagination and creativity, for containers, can be ornamental and attractive.
Select the largest size container possible. Small containers require more watering because they will dry out faster. For the most success when doing container vegetable gardening, it is recommended to use large containers with good depth. This is important for plants with deep root systems. If the planter is too small deep-rooted plants will be stunted and grow to be unhealthy if they do not have enough space to grow properly. When using a stake or trellis make sure the pot is heavy enough to keep it from falling over from the strong wind.
Location of a Container Vegetable Garden
Choose a location that gets lots of sunlight, most vegetables need six hours of sun per day. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans want as much sun as they can get. You can place pots on “Caddies” or add “Casters” to them, so they can be moved to sunny areas as the angle of the sun changes during the day.
Areas good for a container vegetable garden are along fences, walks, drives, and along sides and corners of buildings. Fences and buildings are good protection from wind damage. Patios, porches, balconies, and even rooftops, are popular locations to place container vegetables. Place planters together to help raise the humidity level which produces better plants. Make sure they are not crammed together for plants need good air circulation.
Soil and Fertilizer for Container Vegetable Gardening
Use soil that is a good “Container Mix” or “Potting Mix” for they are not too compact. A good mix made of rich organic materials is great for strong and vigorous plant development, plus for proper drainage. Good quality soil is the base for successful vegetables.
To achieve the best results with container vegetable gardening it is important to apply fertilizer with the proper nutrients. Once the plants are established begin treatment using a balanced “Water-Soluble” fertilizer formulated for vegetables.
Follow directions on the label for how often and the amount needed. Watering tends to wash out nutrients in the soil so they need to get the food they require from proper fertilization.
Watering Tips for Container Vegetable Gardening
Vegetables require a consistent amount of water to do their best. Inconsistent watering can cause problems such as poor root development and leaf curling. Let the soil dry to the touch between watering. Good drainage is important for too much water and if plants constantly sit in water, they will have problems from ” Root Rot”.
Final Thoughts
Growing vegetables in containers is an excellent way to have healthy food on the dinner table for everyone to enjoy. A container vegetable garden is easy to grow and maintain.
With the right container and proper care, you can be successful and find satisfaction in container vegetable gardening. Container gardening is fun and rewarding for everyone of all ages. After watching vegetables grow and receiving your reward you will be happy knowing you can say, ” I did it myself “.
To your container vegetable gardening success!
