I think that finally Spring has arrived in my area! We are now hitting 70 and 80 degrees during this week and I’ve been browsing planting sites for flower seeds and bare root plants.
I’ve always wanted a garden of my own, however, because I live in town and have a smallish lot, not to mention Black Walnut trees, my garden goals are sunk before they even begin. I would love to try my hand at container gardening so that I can grow parsley, thyme and basil. My husband and kids really aren’t tomato freaks, but it would be neat to try one of those “ topsy turvey ” tomato planters! The neighbor kids would probably peg the tomatoes at each other before they were ripe enough to harvest.
If you’re like me and are considering a small garden or even a container garden, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. If space is at a premium, plant items that grow low to the ground so that all plants will be able to absorb sunlight. Types of these plants are kale, spinich, mustard and leaf lettuce. Beets, turnips and carrots also work well. Also try swiss chard, shallots and even celery.
2. Herbs work well in containers and can be moved around as you desire.
3. Use a trellis to direct climbing plants upward. Using a trellis or even a fence to allow vines to climb means you could plant pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers and beans and not give up precious space for other veggies.
When using containers to garden on your porch or deck, keep in mind these important tips from Garden Guides :
1. Choose the containers carefully. Some plastic pots may break down when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Glazed ceramic pots are ideal but require several drain holes.
2. Use large pots! Small pots restrict root growth area and dry out quickly. 15 to 120 quart capacity containers work well. Make sure your pots have adequate drainage and set pots on bricks or pavers to allow for drainage.
3. Use light colored pots in areas that receive a lot of sunlight.
4. Choose a soil mixture that will retain moisture, but allow for needed drainage. Consider “ soilless ” mixtures found at your garden center. Or, make your own mix. Recipes can be found here .
5. Be sure your garden gets at least 5 hours of sunlight each day. More if possible. Leafy crops will tolerate some shade, while root vegetables need more sunlight.
6. The best bet for fertilizing crops is to mix a fertilizer in water then water your plants. This way, the fertilizer won’t be washed away with your next watering.
Want to grow a specific vegetable but are unsure what type of container to use? Learn all about that here !
Once you’ve decided what plants, containers and space suits you best, I’d love to see your photographs and read your tips! Email me at cricketbeers@40DollarDream.com
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