Vegetable container gardening

I have been meaning to take up a hobby – not only because I need something to do but because I need something meaningful to do. And during my quest I fell in love with the idea of growing some of my own vegetables. I decided on vegetable container gardening.

It doesn’t require much space and, with a little care and attention, your little vegetable container gardening will allow you to enjoy the benefits of home-grown organic produce. Here’s how I planned it. I am sure it will work for you too!


Getting started

Begin by choosing a suitable location. I chose a little grove that the parapet on my veranda has. It allows my plants enough sunlight and protection from climatic extremes.

Containers

Choose containers that are large enough to hold the plants you intend to grow. Be careful to ensure that the containers you select accommodate the root systems of your chosen plants.

While small 6-10in diameter pots are appropriate for growing some herbs and even miniature tomatoes, you’ll need larger 15-25in containers to grow vegetables in.

Almost any type of container can be used if it provides good drainage through holes on the sides or bottom. I prefer clay pots to any other form.  They are environment friendly and look great too.

Vegetable selection

Vegetables best suited for containers include tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, eggplant, green onions, beans, lettuce, radishes, parsley, and herbs.

Soil

Container gardens require good quality soil that drains well, yet does not dry out too fast. Plain garden soil is inappropriate. It drains poorly in containers and, without worms and other living creatures to aerate it, becomes compacted quickly.

Choose a soil that has a loose texture and contains good quantities of coarse sand and organic matter.

Drainage

Inadequate drainage is one of the major reasons for vegetable container gardens failing. Most modern containers provide for adequate drainage but if not, you can always make some of your own holes.

Watering

Vegetables grown in containers require routine watering. Aim to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. One watering per day is generally sufficient.

Sunlight

Access to sunlight is important for producing quality vegetables. Most vegetables grow and produce best when grown in full sunlight.

Leafy vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, greens, spinach, and parsley) tolerate more shade than root crops (radishes, beets, and onions). Plants that bear fruit, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, require the most sun.

Fertilizer

Supplying organic vegetable plants grown in containers with the nutrients they require is an important part of keeping them healthy and productive. Vegetable plants grown in containers generally have shorter, more compact root systems than their yard-grown counterparts. This makes it more difficult for them to obtain adequate nutrition.

An organic liquid-based fertilizer can assist in overcoming this problem. A good quality liquid-based organic fertilizer will contain the important nutrients and micro-nutrients vegetable plants require. Avoid the temptation to apply too much liquid fertilizer.

Harvesting

Harvest vegetables as soon as they’ve reached full maturity. This is the time that they’ll be brimming with flavour and just waiting to be served. Avoid harvesting vegetables too early.

At the end of the harvest season, discard the plant and soil from the pot. Infected soil or mix will spread disease into the second season unless it is properly composted.

Pests and diseases

Vegetables grown in containers come under attack from the same insects and diseases that are common to any vegetable garden. Routinely check plants for diseases and insects. Given the small numbers involved, physical removal of insect pests is generally sufficient.