All About Vegetables and Container Garden Home

Getting Started With Your Own Container Garden

All About Vegetables and Container Garden Home

Starting a container garden is not as hard as you may think. It’s relatively simple once you know a few tricks of the trade. A container garden can be indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both. First, sit down and make a list of what flowers, or vegetables you would like to have in your garden. Once you do this, it is time for a little research.

When starting a container garden you need to know the specifications as to how much root space your plant will need. You will be able to easily find this information online, and in most cases, at the same place, you are reading about plants in general.

You need to know these specifications to select a large enough pot to give the roots room to grow. Small things like herbs need very small pots, but if you want to grow potatoes, then obviously you need a deeper pot.

Some people find that starting a container garden is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. By changing some of your plants, and placing the others at different eye levels in a room, you will have a lush and beautifully decorated room.

Containers need to be selected based on where they will be placed. Vegetables will need to be placed where they can be in the sunlight most of the day to grow and flourish. If you can’t do that, there are growth lights that can be purchased at your local hardware or discount store.

Keep in mind when starting a container garden that drainage of the pot is a key element. And if you plan on moving the plants from time to time, you need containers that are not heavy.

All You Need When Starting A Container Garden

Water

Container gardens require watering up to several times a day, however, too much water will ruin your crop just as easy as under-watering. If you are worried about this, you can purchase some of those self-watering bulbs at the discount store, or install a drip system with a timer.

Soil

You need to purchase quality potting soil for vegetables and don’t use any soil from outside. It will compact in your pot and the water will not drain properly. By using quality potting soil you won’t have to worry about weeds getting in your garden as well.

Containers

Containers can vary as much as the plants inside them. Use your imagination when selecting a container. Nurseries and flower stores carry plant containers, but it is fun to craft your own as well. Containers should have good drainage to maintain the health of your plant. If there are no holes on the bottom of your container, you can always prop the plant up from the bottom of the container with rocks or another type of object to ensure soil drainage. That is just about the only restriction on a container.

You can make many garden containers out of things you have around the house. Some examples of imaginative containers include kitchen items such as glassware, serving bowls, cookie jars, or even a pasta pot. Other items can include fish bowls, baskets, wooden boxes, and galvanized buckets and tubs. When deciding on a garden container, keep in mind the type of plants you will be growing. Also, if you plan to cluster your containers, make sure they compliment not only the plants but each other as well.

The larger your container, the easier it will be to take care of, however, it will also take more water. A container at least 18″ (45cm) or bigger is the best.

For outside you can make a square wooden container in a flower bed and put a wooden trellis panel up next to the house. Plant something like ivy that will grow up the trellis and you will also have a beautiful privacy fence as well as vegetables in the garden.

Use your imagination. Think of your containers as your canvass and the plants as your paints and you will be sure to create a masterpiece!

Plants

Plants in container gardens are as varied as the containers themselves. Decide where you are placing your containers and then work within those parameters. If your garden is indoors or in the shade, choose shade-loving plants, such as impatiens, ferns, begonias, hostas and more. Mix and match colors, shapes, and textures. For the sunny garden containers think roses, dahlias, and petunias, along with some sun-loving greens. Vegetables and herbs also make wonderful container garden plants.

Seed and Seedlings

Sometimes starting a garden from seed is harder than taking a baby plant from the nursery and planting it. For things like tomatoes and bell peppers, it is easier to just buy the baby plant. However, you decide to plant your garden it will work with the proper care.

Best Vegetables For Starting A Container Garden

You can plant almost anything in a container garden but below is a list of some of the easiest vegetables to start with.

peas

potatoes

tomatoes

carrots

radishes

cucumbers

eggplant

squash

You don’t need to have a green thumb to have a wonderful container garden. Just be sure and give your plants loving care every single day and you will be rewarded with something great! Starting a container garden will be the most rewarding thing you have ever done.

Easy Vegetables to Grow in your Container Garden

Gardening is work no matter how you do it, but container gardening is less work once you get it all set up. Each year that you plant a container garden you will get faster and find ways to cut the work even more. It is much easier to have an organic garden when using containers as well.

There aren’t too many vegetables that can’t be planted in containers, but some are easier to grow than others. Some plants are ideally suited for containers, especially if you want an organic container garden. The three things you must provide to have healthy plants are water, nutrients, and physical support. Good drainage goes along with watering the plants, and remember too much water is just as harmful and too little water.

Before going over some easy vegetables you can grow in your container garden we need to talk about the soil. The best way to plant in containers is by using synthetic or soil-less mixes. They are very well suited for this and are free of disease and weed seeds. And the containers will not be as heavy, in case you need to move them.

Starter Vegetables To Grow

Tomatoes and Peppers

Tomatoes and different kinds of peppers are extremely easy to grow and they produce a lot on one little plant. You need a larger container for them because they can grow over two feet tall and you don’t want them to be top-heavy. You can also surround them in the chicken wire if you don’t want them growing out of the pot, however, tomatoes will grow hanging down.

These types of plants will continue to bloom and produce even after you have picked them clean, which is a great type of plant to have.

There is nothing like making a salad from fresh lettuce and growing it is simple to do. Lettuce can be grown in a small pot but the downside is that once it’s gone, no more reappears like on the tomato plant. However, you can plant a new container of lettuce about every two weeks and they will become ready just in time for you to have a continuous supply.

Green Onions and Radishes

Both of these vegetables only have the stems and leaves above the ground and the main part of the vegetable is underground. They don’t need a large pot and grow fairly quickly.

Herbs

Herbs are very small and also make beautiful decorative plants to have in the kitchen, or outside close to the kitchen door. Snip off what you need and cook with completely fresh herbs!

There are other easy vegetables to grow as well, such as squash, eggplant, garlic chives, spinach, and beets. However, the vegetables listed above will make you a great salad, and growing them yourself will make all your food taste even better. Start your garden off with these easy vegetables and perk up your taste buds.

How To Plant A Container Garden

You can grow a garden of vegetables or a garden of flowers on your porch or patio easily. All you need are some hanging baskets, large flower pots, planter boxes or flower pots to get the job done. The possibilities are endless. Make sure you avoid containers with small openings. Remember that what you grow needs room to grow. A good pot to use for your container garden is a ceramic pot.

Make sure your ceramic pot has plenty of drainage holes and stay away from the cheap style plastic pots. Cheap plastic pots tend to deteriorate in the sun over time. Terracotta pots are okay but they do seem to dry out quickly. Wooden containers should be avoided also as they tend to rot quickly.

Try and use containers that are 15 to 120 quarts, anything smaller than 15 quarts can inhibit your growth and restrict the root’s ability to flourish. If you live in a hot climate it’s wise to make sure that your containers are light in color and that the drainage holes are at minimum a half-inch apart. Make sure to take the time to put some newspaper or paper of some sort in the bottom of the container to stop any loss of soil.

Keep in mind that your container garden will do best with at least 5 hours of good sunshine per day. A word to the wise is that fruits and veggies will need the most sunshine to thrive. If your growing flowers then the amount of sunshine will vary to some degree. Remember to water your garden everyday especially during those hot humid summer months.

How to pick Healthy Plants for Your Container Garden

How to select healthy plants for your container garden

Most people like to start their container garden with small plants instead of waiting for seeds to sprout. Plants aren’t always cheap so if you are going to purchase seedlings it is important to select healthy plants, not plants that will hardly make the trip home from the store.

You can have all the container garden resources at your fingertips, but if you don’t know the proper method for selecting plants, it could be hard for you to produce a good crop of vegetables.

When you walk into a nursery you can tell right away if most of their plants are healthy. If you see too many plants that look like they are dying, you should walk out and try a different nursery.

Foliage

Are the leaves green enough? And are they shiny and lush? If not, that plant may be stressed and may not recover. Good foliage is the first thing you should check before purchasing.

Insects or Leaf Damage

You may not see insects crawling on the leaves, but check thoroughly for spots that could be an indication of bugs. Look on the back of the leaves for black spots, holes, or any kind of stickiness.

Buds and Flowered Plants

Many times you will find plants, especially tomato plants, that already have blooms on them. These are fine to buy, and in fact, sometimes plants that have buds on them make it through the transplant better.

Stem Damage

Make sure you don’t see cracks, scars, or weakened stems on the plant.

Root Inspection

Some of the plants can be taken out of the plastic or paper container, so if this is possible do so. You want to make sure the plant is not root-bound.

Weeds

A good nursery will keep

the pots weeded and if you see weeds mixed in with the plants this means the weeds are taking part in the nutrients that were meant for the plant.

If you are new to gardening be sure and notice where the plants are located at the store. If one of the plants you want is located in a place where the sun will shine on it all day, pay attention. That is a good indication you should make sure your container stays in the sun.

Nursery workers can be a big help to you so don’t be shy about asking them planting and care questions. Just let them know you are planting a container garden.

Before purchasing your plants find out if the store has any kind of warranty on them. Many places guarantee their plants for a certain amount of time. Plants are an investment of money and time, so knowing what is covered could save you some money on replacement plants. Knowing your plants will ensure you have a fantastic organic or container garden.

Follow these simple steps on how to select healthy plants for your container garden, and you will be off to a great start.

Container Gardening

Whether you live in an urban area with a small terrace or porch or you live out in the country container gardening has always been popular. There is nothing like walking out on to a porch that is alive with color. In recent years with everyone worried about additives and pesticides in foods, we all would like to grow our food so we know what we are eating container gardening is much easier than having a garden in a field and provide you with a good amount of food.

Starting a container garden can be fun for the whole family when first deciding to start just as important as what you put in the pot is the pot itself, terracotta pots dry out quickly, plastic pots will not stand up to sun’s rays and deteriorate the best pot to use is a ceramic glazed pot. Wooden containers have a tendency to rot and if they have been treated with chemicals this is not good for the plants. You will want a pot that can hold up to 15 to 20 quarts otherwise roots become cramped and can not expand.

Make sure to drill holes in the bottom of the pot for drainage and set pots on bricks to allow for free drainage. When choosing plants for your garden certain plants are recommended for container gardening it is best to choose from these. Plant according to instructions on seed pack and watch the beautiful array of colors that will emerge.

No Space, try a Container Garden

If you live in a small apartment, or a small home, which does not have a yard large enough to grow a garden, yet you still wish to have certain plants or vegetables grown, you should consider the option of a container garden. This will allow you to have the garden you want, although it will be small, at least you can grow the plants and vegetables, seeds, or fruits you are looking to grow, in a small contained space.

You do not need a 10-acre piece of land to grow your garden. When you choose to use a small container garden, it can be placed in your home or apartment, and you can grow your plants right inside, in the small container space.

No matter what you want to grow, it is possible to do in the container garden. As long as you place it in a space where it will get enough light and can have a bit of room for the seeds to grow, you can get your favorite vegetables, plants, and even a few fruits you love, grown right indoors. So, even if you do not have the outdoor space or the time which it takes to maintain a large garden, but you still want to grow a few smaller plants and seeds, you can do so. When you grow in a small container garden, you can easily care for your plants right indoors, with a minimal amount of effort on your behalf.

Health Benefits In Planting a Container Garden

A container garden is a great way for those with limited space or those who do not have the outdoor space to grow a garden, to still grow a “mini” garden in their home. The container garden will not only allow you to grow the garden you always wanted in your home but depending on what you grow in it, it is possible that the garden can also offer certain health benefits to the owner of the container garden. If you are growing certain vegetables, fruits, seeds, and other edible foods, which offer a health benefit, then the garden is going to give you these benefits.

Not only will you be saving money, since you can grow your vegetables, and certain fruits and seeds, but you are also going to be getting the health benefit of eating the fruits and vegetables that you grow. It is really up to the planter of the container garden what they will grow, and how much care they are willing to put into it, in turn, determining the fruits and vegetables they can grow. But, if the planter is willing to put in the time, and a limited amount of effort in growing certain crops, they are not only going to get a superfluous crop, but they will also get the health benefits of eating the fruits and vegetables they plant.

So, there are not set health benefits, but you will get the benefit of eating healthy fruits and vegetables grown in your container garden.

Elements of a Container Garden

If you are limited to outdoor space, consider planting a container garden. Many vegetables and flowers can be grown inside containers. Container gardens can add appeal to any outdoor space. Before starting a container garden, there are several things one should consider.

When starting a container garden, your first choice will be a container. You can choose from hanging baskets, planter boxes, wooden barrels, and flowerpots. There are several things the gardener should consider. Plastic pots can deteriorate in the sun. The best pots are made from terracotta. If a wooden box is to be used, choose a box made from redwood or cedar. Other woods may easily rot. Use a container that holds at least 15 quarts of soil. Anything smaller may restrict root growth. After the desired container is selected, drainage holes should be placed every 1/2 inch.

After the pot is selected, the gardener will want to choose a good soil. Compost makes an excellent potting soil. When growing a container garden, soil-less potting soil will work the best. This type of soil allows quick draining. Some plants may require sand to be added to the soil. When adding soil, leave at least two inches of space in the container. This will allow mulch to be added. If fertilizer will be used, a liquid fertilizer works best.

Now that the containers are set up properly, the gardener can begin adding plants. If placing flowers in the containers, choose annuals. These grow the best. Root vegetables and fruiting vegetables will grow best in container gardens.





Organic Container Gardening

Organic container gardening is one of the best and most beneficial forms of gardening. This type of gardening is best for people with limited space and for those who don’t want to have a garden that is too big. By using organic gardening people will be able to grow an abundant amount of flowers and fresh vegetables in a small, compact space. As well as being something that can be done outdoors, organic container gardening can be done in indoor environments as well. Organic container gardening indoors can be done by converting household containers into containers to store plants and other forms of vegetation inside your house.

When using containers for organic gardening you will want to get these containers that are made up of natural materials such as clay and wood. Along with these materials you will want to get containers made up of other recycled materials such as plastic pails, buckets, and tin cans. You will also want to get light-colored material to store the soil so that it doesn’t dry up as frequently. Having containers of filtered screens is also a good idea to keep soil secure and avoid drainage when making contact with water.

By using organic gardening you will be able to make the most of your space by being able to do this both indoors and outdoors. This will enable you the flexibility you need to plant vegetables and flowers in multiple settings and allow you to both grow food and improve the appearance of both the inside and outside of your home.

Ideas for Container Gardens

Container gardens can add a burst of color to your porch, sunroom, or even around a tree in the yard. Pots come in many sizes, are beautiful, and can add a lovely splash of color or contrast to the plants you put in them. Don’t limit yourself to just the standard containers either. Choose less traditional containers as well to add variety and charm.

If you have a whimsical garden, have you thought about planting Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) trailing out of an old gardening boot? Marigolds peek shyly out of the top of an old metal watering can. For a more elegant garden try filling old vases with your plants and flowers. Remember to vary the height of the plants in any container with multiple varieties, especially if the container is wide at the top. You can use a tall plant in the center, medium heights around it, and trailing plants over the edges for great effect.

Almost anything can become a container to hold a pretty little garden. You can line baskets with sphagnum moss to hold in the potting soil and plant a basket full of posies. Old kitchen equipment can be recycled as planters as well. Make a “kitchen garden” themed garden of herbs grown in old colanders and saucepans.

Remember to think about your color scheme. If you have trouble deciding if plants of a different color go together, choose one brightly colored flower and fill the rest of the container with greenery for contrast.

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