Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that don't have access to backyards. There can be a range of reasons to grow your vegetables in containers...easy access to the kitchen, safer environments for children and the handicapped or just lack of a yard to use for gardening.
Vegetable gardens in containers can also be extremely attractive and serve the dual purpose of style and function around your patio.
The no dig vegetable garden can be just as successful in containers provided similar guidelines are followed.
Drainage is vital so ensure your containers have appropriate drainage holes to allow water to escape. If they don't, the plants will literally 'drown' and will be susceptible to diseases. They also need a sunny space. The advantage with vegetables grown in containers is that you can move the containers around to follow the sun if no one spot in your patio or garden is suitable.
Vegetables grown in containers will need some additional attention. Their root system is restricted to the pot so make sure you keep them well watered. Containers are far more likely to dry out in hot conditions which will kill your plants or have them 'fruit' poorly.
It is also very important that a mulch is put on top of the container. This will slow evaporation and keep the surface temperature of the soil cooler. Plants like tomatoes have small, fiberous roots which will dry and die in hot soil.
Container vegetables may need some additional fertilising due to the extra watering. Nutrients will be washed away quicker in a container than in the ground. A diluted water soluble fertiliser is the best option to use regularly with vegetables.
There have been many varieties of vegetables that have been bred to grow in containers. They are generally referred to a 'dwarf' varieties for obvious reasons. A list of suggested varieties and container sizes may help with your selection. Check with your seed supplier on the varieties they recommend.
Having said that, there are many vegetable varieties that will do very well in containers. Tomatoes, lettuce, beets, carrots, cabbage, peas, beans, capsicums and peppers are all good choices. Cucumbers, cauliflower and broccoli will also do well as will virtually all herbs.
Crops like potatoes, corn, pumpkins and vine fruits generally need more room than a container can provide. But the size of your containers and the varieties available to you will dictate what you grow. As with most gardening, trial and error is your best education.
Judy Williams (http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com) splits her time between being a media executive and an earth mother goddess. No Dig Vegetable Gardens represents a clean, green way to grow your own food. The site covers all aspects of growing, cooking and preserving your harvest.
To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More
Part Two in a SeriesOnce you have your landscape design... Read More
In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More
Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and... Read More
Widely considered to be the most popular roses for... Read More
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More
It's been time consuming, and there have been a lot... Read More
Called the "herb of happiness," Origanum majorana, commonly known as... Read More
Why Compost?Recent studies show that an average family throws away... Read More
Annuals in your pernnial garden are something to think about!... Read More
Purchased corn, whether on the cob or in a can... Read More
Hydroponics and aquaponics are very similar in every way except... Read More
You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even... Read More
Along with lip-smacking sweetness, flower and foliage are also worthy... Read More
Building your own water works system is quite simple and... Read More
Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all... Read More
When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me... Read More
Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata... Read More
A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty ? sweet,... Read More
Perhaps you were browsing the pages of a catalog and... Read More
Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow... Read More
The black walnut tree manufactures a substance that is a... Read More
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More
Flowers are a favorite of many backyard gardeners. Thanks to... Read More
Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of... Read More
Different from any other chair, the Adirondack chair was first... Read More
There is nothing better to do on a hot, lazy... Read More
In an effort to introduce a shaft of sunlight into... Read More
You have spent hours of time and quite a lot... Read More
PLANT GROWTH & PHYSIOLOGY. (Part 5)There are three classes of... Read More
Known as "joy of the mountain," Origanum vulgare is commonly... Read More
Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More
Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way... Read More
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you... Read More
The biggest flower benefit of all is the fact that... Read More
The technnology secrets will help home owners maintain lawns in... Read More
Give the same plants to several people, you will see... Read More
Who doesn't love to hear the water rushing and flowing... Read More
Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More
It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on... Read More
You can hear the wailing from here. "Why aren't my... Read More
If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More
Most people would think of fall as a season when... Read More
There are many reasons for creating an indoor garden ?... Read More
Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a... Read More
If you love herbal teas, as I do, you know... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSo you've decided to build your very own backyard water... Read More
Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way... Read More
Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More
You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to... Read More
Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most... Read More
There is simply no better vantage point from which to... Read More
Whether we know it or not, most of us are... Read More
Greenhouses provide a warm, humid atmosphere and are home to... Read More
What is xeriscaping? You may have heard of xeriscaping as... Read More
Materials Needed 1 decorative clay or metal planter 1 package... Read More
The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More
Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden... Read More
We've had some well needed rain this past week, though... Read More
The areas of your landscape can be divided into several... Read More
Damping off is the single term used to describe underground,... Read More
Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on... Read More
A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More
Plant lovers and backyard enthusiasts are special people who will... Read More
Often in February there is a surprisingly warm day. Everybody... Read More
It's not difficult to create a garden that will attract... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |