Growing Vegetables in Containers
Nearly every type of news outlet now recommends that you try to grow some of your own food. This can be a challenge if you do not have a yard for gardening. Growing plants in containers or pots is easy, and you can grow nearly any annual vegetable crop in a container.
If it is the first time you have grown a garden, start with just a few of your favorite vegetables. Many people grow just the things that are most expensive at the grocery store, such as tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and fresh greens. Warm season vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, and melons are usually started inside a few weeks before setting out or are purchased as transplants. Starting your own seeds has the benefit of being able to choose from hundreds of varieties, including heirloom varieties. If you grow heirloom varieties, the purchase of seeds can be a one time investment. Look for seed suppliers who have signed the Safe Seed Pledge to avoid GMOs (genetically modified organisms AKA genetically engineered), or buy organic seeds.
Be creative when choosing containers, since the only requirements are that they be large enough to accommodate the roots of the plants you plan to grow, that they have drainage holes, that they hold soil, and that they do not leach chemicals into the soil. Almost all vegetable plants require at least 6 hours of full sunlight, but 8 hours is ideal.
Good soil is an important investment in growing quality, nutritious food in containers. Most potting soil contains peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Avoid mixtures that contain a wetting ingredient, since you do not want this in your food. The bag will state that the product contains a wetting agent.
You will also need a good quality fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or kelp. Use these at least every other week during the growing season. Your plants will also benefit from a foliar feeding on the weeks that you do not fertilize.
Many plant experts consider learning to correctly water plants as the most difficult aspect of caring for plants. Growing plants in containers is perhaps more challenging since plants will need watered nearly every day, and sometimes even more often during hot, dry, or windy spells. If you work long hours or go on vacation, an automated watering system may be a good investment.
Self watering containers also make keeping your plants ideally watered easier. There are many plans available online for building your own self watering containers, or there are pre made self watering containers that have proven their reliability. When setting up a self watering container, make sure to use the correct type of soil and also make sure to correctly packed the wicking area. If you do not do this, it defeats the purpose of a self watering container, since the soil must be able to wick up water. If you let a self watering container completely dry out, remember to water the container from the top until the soil is thoroughly saturated before filling the reservoir. Since dry peat sheds water, do not be fooled by the fact that water is coming out the bottom. It may take several inches of water applied over several hours period to thoroughly saturate the soil.
Growing vegetables in containers is a highly rewarding undertaking. You will not only rate the benefits of fresh, wholesome foods, but it will bring you closer to nature and it is an ideal activity to get your children, grand children or neighborhood kids in.
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