If you long to grow your own vegetables but you’re surrounded by concrete or live on a piece of land too small for a vegetable garden, don’t give up hope. The answer for you may be container vegetable gardening. Container gardening makes it possible to grow vegetables on patios , tiny balconies or the rooftops on high-rise buildings and with just a few exceptions, the same methods used in regular vegetable gardening also apply to container gardening.
The best containers for vegetable gardening are those that are light, portable and often free. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on expensive containers made of wood or pottery. You can of course, if that’s what you want, but half the fun is in finding unique containers for your vegetable garden. Drainage holes can be drilled in the bottom to keep the plant roots from sitting in water and small containers can be grouped inside larger containers such as wooden crates or larger tubs to keep them from blowing over. Containers should set on bricks or small blocks to help with drainage and prevent mold from growing under them.
Finding the Light
You can place your containers almost anywhere as long as there is plenty of light. Vegetable gardening requires a lot of sun and while plants prefer full sun all day long, you can make up for some loss of light by growing them against a light colored wall that reflects the light and heat back onto the plants. You can also place light reflective material behind your vegetables to help them take optimum advantage of the sun. Also turning containers during the day helps to expose the entire plant to the light.
One important thing you have to consider in vegetable gardening is the type of soil you will need for your containers, which should be light weight, and drain well. The best soil is actually a soil-less mix which is light weight and allows roots to grow faster, making for larger plants and more vegetables. Most vegetables like to be grown in soil at least one or two feet deep, and larger plants need more soil so take that into consideration when planning out your vegetable garden.
Finding the Space
To take advantage of limited space, stair step your container vegetable garden on benches, or use a step ladder or boards placed on cement blocks to create your own mini terrace. Even vegetable plants can make a beautiful garden setting if they are grouped or mixed in with a few flowers. Some vegetable plants can even be grown in hanging pots, such as lettuce, small cucumbers and tiny cherry tomatoes.
So if you’re a green thumb at heart, living a city life and wishing you could do a little vegetable gardening , you can make it a reality with container gardening. It might take some added creative and work, but what true blue gardener ever let that stop them?
Popular Questions
What vegetables grow best in containers for a small garden?
Lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard, radishes, and green onions are well suited to container gardening. Choose compact tomato, pepper, cucumber, or bush bean varieties if you have larger pots. Check the mature size of each plant and match it to a container with enough depth for healthy roots.
What size containers are best for growing greens?
Use containers at least 6 to 8 inches deep for lettuce, spinach, and other shallow-rooted greens. Larger vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers usually need containers holding 5 gallons or more. Every container should have drainage holes so excess water can escape and roots do not remain saturated.
How often should you water a container vegetable garden?
Check the soil daily during warm or windy weather and water when the top inch feels dry. Pour water slowly until it runs from the drainage holes, then empty any water collected in a saucer. Containers dry out faster than garden beds, so leafy greens may need frequent watering during hot conditions.
How can you keep container-grown greens healthy and productive?
Fill containers with a quality potting mix rather than heavy garden soil, and place them where the plants receive the sunlight they require. Feed vegetables with a balanced fertilizer according to the product label, especially after repeated harvests. Harvest leafy greens regularly by removing outer leaves, and inspect plants for pests before they spread.
