Nothing is as good as fresh vegetables out of your very own garden. A delicious ripe tomato or freshly dug carrots are heaven on earth. What, no room for a garden? No trouble! You can raise a vegetable garden in a container!
Container gardening doesn't need to be restricted to flowers. Adding a few vegetables and herbs to container gardens is becoming more common all the time. Growing vegetables and herbs in containers is just as simple as growing flowers and you get yummy results! Cherry tomatoes are a great addition to potted flowers. The cheerful red fruit looks wonderful amid the blossoms. Garlic and onion starts add spiky foliage to your potted planters, plus garlic will help keep the pests away!
How about dedicating a few planters to only vegetables? Strawberries are a plant that in fact does better in a container than in the ground. Strawberry plants spread by putting out runners that root down and start a new plant. Once the strawberries run out of space to send out runners, they put all their energy into making fruit. Fresh strawberries at any time you want them, what could be better?
You can effortlessly grow your own vegetables in a container, just adhere to these simple tips.
No matter what type of container you choose, it needs to drain properly. Many containers have holes predrilled for drainage, however if your container doesn't have drain holes you can either add a layer of gravel or drain holes for drainage. If your planter is deep, add styrofoam to the bottom for drainage and to reduce the need for extra soil. In addition, the container will be lighter and less difficult to move. Just remember to add a sufficient amount soil for the plants to have a good root system.
Do not use garden soil. Container plants need a lighter weight soil than your usual garden soil. A planter garden requires light soil that is rich in organic material for suitable drainage. Mix standard potting soil with compost and peat moss to get a healthy soil that is great for containers. It is a great idea to combine in time release fertilizer while you are mixing the soil. Most time release fertilizers last about three months so plan to add more at that time.
When you are transplanting new plants, dig the hole about twice as large as the plant's root ball. Putting some loose soil back into the hole will give the new plants a soft bed to anchor to. It is very vital to knead the roots of the plant before you place it in the hole. The plant roots start growing in a pattern while they are in the pony pack, you will need to break that pattern so they can spread their roots and thrive in your container.
Even though you have added time release fertilizer to the container, you will need to give the plants a vitamin boost when you plant them by using root starter. Mix the liquid fertilizer with water and add it as you plant each new plant to your container. By giving your plants a shot of root starter you can help avert transplant shock.
Make sure you cut your plant. A lot of people have a hard time doing this. No one wants to trim their beautiful new plant. You need to remember that the plant needs to put effort into building a healthy root system. If the plant is trying to sustain foilage and probably blossoms, it can't focus on the root system. Generally you need to trim the plant back by two thirds. Don’t worry, your plant will grow back fuller and healthier than before.
Arrange plants that need the same kinds of light and water together. Put full sun plants together, shade plants, high water needs, etc. If you take some time to design your container you will be more satisfied with the results.
Containers are a great way to have fresh produce all summer long. What a great thing you will provide for your family, healthy produce and a great, family activity. Give container gardening a try, you will enjoy the results!
Author Resource:
Piper is a freelance journalist who loves fitness, good nutrition and the outdoors. She loves to work in the garden with her Mantis cultivator . She enjoys nature, music and cooking. Check out her site, www.smallgardentiller.org to find out all about finding the best mini garden tiller so you can have a beautiful garden too!
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