Garden Plot

Container Vegetable Gardens

I had the pleasure of engaging in a lovely conversation with a young man who was working at the garden center that I frequent this time of the year. He shared how much he would like to plant a vegetable garden.

After listening to him explain all the reasons why he could not plant a vegetable garden; such as lack of space and time, I could not resist sharing all the reasons why he could. I took some extra time to help him choose everything he needed to begin a small herb garden. I cannot wait to make another visit and for the first pictures to arrive in my inbox. Ahhh, a gardener’s work is never done!

Containers are perfect way to garden for people who are short on time and space. Container gardens do not require weeding and you can grow almost anything for the kitchen; from herbs to potatoes. They are also great if you want to start out small and grow your way into something on a larger scale.

So, if you have been dreaming about having fresh produce at your fingertips, here are some tips to get you started.

  1. Begin with simple herbs. Chives, basil, cilantro, thyme, mint and oregano can be grown easily in pots or window boxes. If you are growing oregano or mint, it is recommended that you grow in separate containers as they are very invasive and will crowd out other plants.
  2. Choose a good organic vegetable soil. Make sure it is a soil that has a loose pack to allow air to flow through. This will avoid the growth of fungus in the soil and keep the soil evenly hydrated.
  3. Add lettuce to your selection by growing in window boxes or rectangular planters. This grows very quickly and you can expect to have salad in less than 3 weeks if kept in a sunny area.
  4. Tomatoes and peppers are great choices for pots. You can also expand your selection by including some of the new hanging varieties of strawberries and blueberries if you are looking to be a little more adventurous.
  5. Be sure to place pots and planters in a sunny area that gets sun at least 4-5 hours of sun per day.
  6. Keep the soil moist but be careful not to over-water. Too much water will cause the roots to rot.
  7. For additional tips and to check out the latest in vegetable gardening, be sure to visit your local gardening center.

Happy Gardening!