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It seems like everyone is looking to cut their food costs and promote healthy eating habits by growing fresh fruits and vegetables. Not everyone, however, has a nice sunny plot of well-drained soil to use for a garden. Not to worry – planting vegetables in containers is an easy way to add a garden on a deck, balcony or patio. Like a regular garden, container gardening requires planning your crop selection and providing the best possible growing medium to maximize your results. With container gardening, however, you can actually move your plants to chase the sun and get the maximum effect.
The first key component to planting vegetables in containers is to select your crops. Most plants that thrive in a typical garden can be grown in containers. Vegetables that grow as compact or bushy plants are especially suited for container gardening. Examples include tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and peas. Vegetables such as cucumbers, pole beans, and squash pose some additional problems. Since these plants produce on vines, they will need a lot more space than you may have on your balcony or patio. Check with your local nursery to see if there are low space hybrids available for these types of plants. Look for words such as compact, space-saver, or dwarf in the product description.
Your second key component to planting vegetables in containers is to select the containers themselves. You can use almost anything for a container garden to include flower pots, buckets, wash tubs, or boxes. Your main consideration is that the container is large enough to allow the plants’ roots to spread and grow. Also, you’ll need to ensure that the container has adequate drainage so your plants don’t drown in a heavy rain. Drill a couple of small holes in the bottom of your containers if they do not already have them. Cover the bottom of the container with coarse gravel or stones to help with drainage.
Finally, you’ll need to determine the soil mix, or growing medium, to use for your container garden. Oddly enough, experts recommend that you do NOT use standard potting soil. When planting vegetables in containers, it is recommended that you use a synthetic soil mixture for best results. Synthetic soils are available at most garden centers and made of things like sphagnum moss, peat, sawdust, and vermiculite. Moisten the mix thoroughly before planting your vegetables.
Now you’re ready to plant. Read the instructions on the seed packages or plant containers to determine when to plant your crops. Water and fertilize according to instructions. Keep in mind that container gardens tend to lose moisture faster than the ground, so check your plants daily. Don’t wait until they’re wilting to water. Move your containers if necessary to maximize the plant’s sun exposure. Enjoy the fruits of your harvest!
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about container gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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