Vegetable Container Gardening
Plants in pots are like animals in a zoo--they're totally dependent on their keepers.
quote by John Van de Water (See other fun gardening quotes)
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Vegetable container gardening (sometimes also known as urban gardening or patio gardening) basically involves growing your vegetables in pots. It is perfect for garden lovers who live in apartments, condominiums, townhomes, or otherwise have no significant gardening space. (Also, vegetable container gardening is a good fix for those who enjoy gardening, but just don't have much time for the hobby.)
The only real requirement for container gardening is that you have an area with plenty of sunlight. Position your planters or pots in a very sunny (or partially sunny) location.
You can use any variety of items for containers, depending upon how functional they are and how attractive you want them to be. Window boxes, hanging planters, and decorative pots make aesthetically pleasing planters.
More budget friendly vegetable container gardening pots might include: nursery containers, terra cotta pots, ceramic tubs or pots, even plastic buckets (make sure they have adequate holes in the bottom for drainage).
Regardless of the type of container you use, make sure that it isn't one that contains harmful chemicals that can leach into your plant's soil. You certainly don't want those chemicals to end up in your family's vegetables!
** Gardening Tips:
Plastic pots do not dry out as quickly as clay ones.
If you live in a hot summer location, try to use light colored pots for your vegetable container gardening. This will help prevent your plants from baking in the sun!
On the other hand, if you live in a colder gardening climate, try to use dark colored pots for your vegetable container gardening. These will absorb heat and may help extend your growing season.
Choose a light planting soil, and consider mixing in vermiculite, perlite or peat moss. These will help with drainage and break up the soil.
** Gardening Tips:
Test the pH level of your potting soil to make sure it is in line with your plant's needs.
Click here to learn about how to test your soil pH level.
Slow release fertilizers are generally recommended for vegetable container gardening. Slow release fertilizers feed your plants throughout the season.
Consider using more natural or organic forms of fertilizers as an alternative. However, you will need to fertilize your plants at least once a month during the growing season.
Vegetable Container Gardening Pitfall:
Be careful! Soil in containers tends to dry out very quickly. You will need to offer your plants a light watering daily.
** Gardening Tips:
Apply a layer of mulch* on top of the soil in your containers, to help keep the plant's roots cooler and prevent water from evaporating as quickly.
(*Don’t use mulch on your lettuce or leafy crops… it tends to cause them to rot.)
Note: When selecting plants or seeds for your vegetable container garden, try to pick ones that have a shorter growing period.
Garden plants that tend to be successful with vegetable container gardening:
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Herbs (chives, parsley, etc.)
- Lettuce
- Peppers
- Runner beans
- Spinach
- Eggplant
- Green Onions
- Strawberries
Gardening Tips from our readers
Have a helpful hint to share? Send it to: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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Kyle from NY City & his grandma Diane had great fun growing this pumpkin plant indoors as a container plant!
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.