When people think of container gardens, their first thought may be of hanging flower baskets and rail planters full of perennials. What they don’t think of is vegetables. There’s this silly idea that vegetables demand the ground, but it’s not true! Plenty of vegetables actually grow very successfully in containers – even some you wouldn’t think of!
Choosing Your Plants
Almost any vegetable can adapt to life in a pot or planter. Your only real limitations when it comes to which vegetables you can grow in a container are the size of your container and your imagination. Certain plants, especially bush-type plants, might be too large to grow in a container successfully. For such plants, be on the lookout for dwarf varieties. The container is the most important factor when it comes to vegetable gardens in containers.
How to Choose a Container
Here are some things to be on aware of when picking a container:
- What to Use – You can use almost anything for housing your container garden. Flower pots, pails, buckets, wooden boxes, even bags! Just keep in mind where you want to put it and how attractive you want it to be!
- Drainage – No matter your container choice, make sure water can drain from it. Make sure you place holes in the bottom to let excess water out. Placing rocks or charcoal at the bottom is also extremely beneficial.
- Color Considerations – Be careful about what colors you choose for the containers. Dark containers tend to absorb more heat than vegetables need. Too much heat can damage roots and limit growth. If you do choose a dark-colored container, make sure you place it in a shaded area.
- Size – Remember, your vegetables need room to grow! Whether you’re planting from seeds or young plants, make sure you research how much space they’ll need when mature!
A vegetable container garden is a great way to grow your own vegetables no matter where you live, and a whole lot easier to maintain than a plot. Have fun experimenting with plants and pots!