So, you want fresh vegetables but you do not have the space, you live alone, or you have limited time? I have a solution to your garden dilemma, containers. Yes, the same containers gardeners use for ornamentals can also be used for vegetables. Remember, whether it is a tomato or a petunia, it is still a plant and both have the same basic needs: oxygen, water, light, heat, and nutrients.
Plant breeders and seed companies are developing varieties specifically for containers so do your research before purchasing. Vegetable gardening in containers can help gardeners overcome soil borne diseases and poor soil quality by using a potting soil mix as the growing media. I do not recommend using soil from a current garden space because it likely has too much clay. Clay soils issue of not being porous enough for the plant roots water and oxygen requirements in a traditional garden are worse in containers. Planting times are the same for container gardening as in-ground gardening.
As far as containers go your imagination is the only limiting factor. Traditional pots to five gallon buckets are all acceptable. Regardless of the container, it must have drainage holes at the bottom and must be large enough to support the plant at its maturity. Consider what the height and size of the root ball will be four months after you plant. Plants are like puppies, they grow. An example is tomatoes and summer squash. Research indicates one plant requires a five gallon container for both whereas two or three green onions can be planted in a one half gallon container. Tomatoes will still need to be staked or caged in containers. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the container can aid with drainage and add weight to the container if you are worried about stability. Be sure the gravel is larger than the diameter of the drain holes.
Plants in containers typically require more watering than those in ground especially on hot, windy days. Be prepared to water daily and even twice daily on those types of days if you have plants on concrete patios. Supplemental fertilizing with a water soluble fertilizer at the recommended rate twice a month will be necessary if the potting soil mix does not contain fertilizer.
Container gardening is different but does the sandwich bread really care where the tomato was grown?
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