Container gardening is easy to do if you know these tips and tricks. Learn how to start and the best plants to grow.
Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners
Container gardening is extremely popular right now and has become the go-to method for many people that have limited yard space. In fact, some people are choosing container gardening even if they have yard space simply because of the advantages that it provides.
Today I wanted to talk about container gardening and how to start a vegetable garden in containers. I found that growing vegetables in containers is much easier. It has been the perfect solution for me and might be for you as well.
The process for container gardening is not the same for all plants and veggies. We are going to show you how to start a container garden that will continue to grow and produce successfully.
What plants are good for container gardening?
Plants that do not take up a huge amount of room are best for containers. Some examples include: tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, lettuce, green onion and more. Pole beans are not recommended.
You can also plant cucumbers but keep in mind the vines will grow tremendously. This just means you will need to allow for ample space in your container.
If you are not quite sure about what to grow, we have a list of some of the more popular vegetables, fruits and herbs that do well in a container:
Start with these:
Zucchini
Summer Squash
Basil
Mint
Dill
Onions
Rosemary
Cinnamon
Strawberries
Pineapple
Cantaloupe
Oregano
Peppers
Chives
Bananas
Spinach
Thyme
Sage
Cucumbers
Kale
- Lettuce
Radishes
Collard Greens
Potatoes
Carrots
Watermelon
Beets
Cauliflower
Beans
Peas
Mushrooms
Turnips
Asparagus
Artichokes
- Tomatoes
How to pick the perfect container?
It is best to start with a large container. A general rule of thumb is the bigger the better. Not only will the soil stay moist longer but you will have lots of space as roots grow and the plants expand.
While small pots can be used, large ones are best. If you are concerned about space, try using a window box.
From terra cotta and clay pots to wooden containers and more, there are lots of options. Think about small plants and small gardens as well as larger sizes based on what you can accommodate.
How to start container gardening:
Step one: Choose what you want to grow
- This process is the most important part because not all things need the same things. Some plants do fine in a group while others grow better alone. Some need a ton of root space while others need very little.
- Lighting concerns and so on are other considerations.
- Understanding all of this and the growing season is the first thing you want to take care of. Then decide which type of container garden you are planning to grow and moving forward accordingly.
Step two: Use Good Soil
- The vast majority of plants and veggies will respond well with any topsoil that is not filled with clay or sand. You want your soil to be able to accommodate the roots system and provide nutrients. Many people advise that you use commercial top soil.
- Just like you would with your flowers, you can easily use cheap old top soil so your vegetables can grow nicely.
- I would also add some compost on occasion to help give plant roots extra nutrients.
Step three: Finding the right containers
- There are countless options here for containers but you need to make sure you research what you are growing.
- The primary questions to ask yourself include:
How much room will the root system need?
Will this plant need to grow alone or in a group?
Is this container going to need to be moved around?
Can I move it around?
Will I need to transplant it later?
- As for what you can use, you are limited only by your imagination. You can use old coffee cans, flats, wheelbarrows, old boxes, mailboxes and pretty much anything else that will hold dirt and provide enough space for the roots to grow.
Step 4: Add Drainage
- If you are using pots from the store, make sure you drill holes in the bottom for drainage. If you don’t, your plants will die from too much water. Each plant requires good drainage.
Step four: Food, water and light
- One of the most important rules of container gardening is to always make sure your plants have water. Some plants can survive for a time in ground based gardens without water. However, in containers, they can and will die quickly.
- Containers dry up much quicker than your other vegetables in the ground. You need to either water them by hand on a regular schedule or if you are forgetful or unable to do so, set up an irrigation system.
- A simply drip system is easy to do and can quickly solve your problem. This is also a perfect opportunity to get the kids involved. Make it one of their daily tasks to water the plants.
- Make sure you are careful about temperature as well. Some plants will flourish in the hot and arid temps while others will wilt and die rather easily.
- It is worth repeating that you will succeed or fail by knowing the needs of each plant. Keep them in areas where they will be temperature controlled.
- Lighting is a fairly easy thing with container gardening. Morning light is best for most plants but some love full sun and welcome the afternoon. Make sure you have a system in place to provide what your plants need.
- As for food, compost is a great option and commercial feeder food. I like compost because of the natural aspect, but you can certainly use things meant for plants in the store.
Start container vegetable gardening.
With these tips, you can enjoy veggies at home. You will be so glad you started a garden. Growing your own food is not that difficult and you can have salad greens and more.
It is so nice having vegetable plants to utilize. Don’t forget to take advantage of garden centers for local advice and more.
