Growing vegetables in pots

 Container gardening: Growing vegetables in pots

If growing your own vegetables and herbs may seem tempting but you do not have much space, containers are a viable alternative to the traditional kitchen plot. All you need is a balcony, patio, floor, or other small space that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. There are many reasons to grow your own food in containers:

Home-made products are tastier and often more nutritious than store-bought ones.

Container vegetables are the most accessible and are usually grown on your doorstep.

Some vegetables work better in containers, some vegetables do not work well.

By choosing the right vegetables and following some basic tips, you can grow and harvest your own farm-fresh food at home.

Starting Your Container Vegetable Garden

Evaluate your site:

Make sure your site gets enough light by observing how the sun moves throughout the day.

In hot weather, the plants may need shade in the afternoon so they do not get too hot.

Measure the space to make sure there is enough space for the containers you need.

To increase the use of your space, add vertically growing plants such as peas, polar beans, and cucumbers.

Make sure there is a convenient water source nearby.

Create a plan:

Draw a quick sketch to calculate how many containers you need, and in what sizes. Make a list of items that include plant support such as containers, soil, garden tools, seeds, plants, irrigation materials, compost and trays, and cages.

Choose direction:

Focus on what you want to eat and create a wish list of what you want to grow. Limit the time and space you have to increase your success and add easy varieties like lettuce and radish.

Tip: When looking at lists, online sources, and plant labels, look for descriptive terms such as dwarf, small, patio, bush, and space saver, indicating the most suitable types for containers.)

The seed starts against:

Quick growers such as lettuce, bush beans, and peas can easily grow from seed. Plants that take longer to mature, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, are best grown from nursery openings.

Select containers:

It can function as a container for almost anything, is large enough, has good drainage, and is made from food-safe materials. Here are some tips for choosing containers:

Leafy greens, radishes, and other shallow-rooted vegetables require less space than deep-rooted plants such as tomatoes and peppers.

Large pots are best because they do not dry out quickly and have plenty of room for root growth.

Choose containers that are at least 12 inches high and deep, such as 5 gallon-sized or large plastic pots, wooden boxes, or half whiskey barrels.

Avoid terra cotta or clay pots that dry quickly as water evaporates through the walls of the pot.

Avoid metal and dark-colored containers (such as black plastic nursery pots) as they will become too hot, causing the roots to overheat.

Container Vegetable Garden Basic

Light:

Most vegetables require at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun a day, while some varieties like lettuce tolerate more shade.

Temperature:

Examine the temperature requirements of each vegetable before planting.

Greens and peas can be grown as cold-weather plants at the beginning of the season. Soil temperature should be at least 40 to 50 degrees F. Other carrots and potatoes can be planted in mid-spring.

In warmer weather varieties such as peppers and tomatoes should wait until late spring when the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees F.

Water:

Vegetables need constant moisture. Containers dry faster than plants in the ground, so water frequently. As a general rule, water 2 to 3 times a week during the summer and daily during the hot season. Sun exposure, moisture, and container size factor determine how quickly the soil dries. If it feels dry an inch or two below the soil surface, it is time to water. The use of a drip irrigation system helps in maintaining balanced irrigation.

Soil:

Use a high-quality, organic pot mix Fill to an inch or two below the edge of the container. The soil settles during the growing season. Do not use soil on top of the garden as it may shrink, cause poor drainage, and root rot.

Fertilizers and Fixes:

Most vegetables are heavy food. Frequent watering allows the fertilizer to drain out of the container quickly, so proper fertilization is important for production. When planting, add mulch with compost or manure as well as slowly releasing organic granular fertilizer. Add water-soluble fish broth, sponge manure, or compost tea once every two weeks.