Advantages of Growing Vegetables in Containers

Growing vegetables in containers is a hot new gardening trend. If you are limited for space or do not have a bright, sunny spot in your yard, consider raising fresh, nutritious, homegrown vegetables in containers. They can be extremely attractive and serve the dual purpose of style and function. You can arrange them on a sunny patio, deck or a small balcony of your apartment.

Vegetables can be raised in almost any container that is at least six to eight inches deep and allows drainage of excess water. Those which are perfectly suited for growing in containers include green onions, eggplant, capsicums, cabbage, beans, peas and squash. Crops that take up little space, such as radishes, carrots and lettuce, or vegetables that bear fruits over a longer period of time, such as peppers and tomatoes, are ideal for container vegetable gardens. Crops like cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers will readily adapt to growing in containers. Also herbs like parsley, chives and basil make excellent container plants.

Vegetables usually require full sun, except for the few that are cultivated in partial shade. Those raised for their roots, such as carrots, beets and radishes, will tolerate partial shade, as will leafy vegetables. Crops grown for their fruits commonly require at least five hours of full, direct sunlight every day, but perform better with eight to ten hours. The root vegetables can stand more shade than those which bear fruit, such as cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and eggplants.

Tomatoes and vining vegetables such as cucumbers and peas need something to climb and can grow very large. Cherry tomatoes are easiest for containers, although some other tomatoes grow well in pots, including both vine and bush types. Also herbs like parsley, chives and basil make excellent container plants.

Depending on the crop, you can start seeds in your containers, grow transplants from seeds started indoors, or purchase transplants from a garden center or nursery. Some vegetables like beans, corn and spinach are best started from seeds sown in the container. Regardless of whether you are planting seeds or transplants, be sure to carefully water the container previously. Plant seeds according to the package directions. Since not all seeds will germinate, plant more than you require, then thin the unneeded later. Softly water the soil with warm water, make sure not to wash out the seeds.

Soil mixture and feeding are the next significant factors. Soil substitute mixes which consist of ample organic materials, and which have fertilizer included in the mixing process, also will require additional fertilizer from time to time, but at much less frequent intervals than with gravel culture or porous sand. Mixtures without soil such as peat-lite mix are usually too light for container vegetable gardening, not providing sufficient support to plant roots. Do not fill your containers with heavy, store-bought potting or garden soil.

The easiest way to add fertilizer to plants raising in containers is by preparing a nutrient solution and pouring it over the soil mix. If you use an organic fertilizer at planting time, supplement it with weekly applications of fish emulsion or apply dry organic fertilizer according to package directions. Tomatoes like regular feedings of small amounts of fertilizer rather than infrequent, large doses.

Growing vegetables in containers is a perfect choice and it can give you all the benefits of a traditional garden. It allows you to produce vegetables in a limited space and you can start producing your own fresh and tasty vegetables in containers right away.