Vegetables can also be grown in pots, including green beans, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes & etc. It is important that your pots be large enough for the plants to flourish.
*Containers*
Planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets & large flower-pots are just some of the containers that can be used.
Deep rooted vegetables require deep pots. Make sure the pot has adequate drainage. Don't place gravel or other material in the bottom of pots. The gravel eliminates valuable space for the roots.
*Growing Mixture*
Potting mixture. Because most potting mixes are acidic, you will want to add a little lime. When you add soil to the container, leave a 2-inch space between the top of the soil & the top of the container. You then will be able to add 1/2 inch or so of mulch later.
*Vegetables*
Green onions, radishes or beets can be grown in a cake-pan.
Baby tomatoe's are good for grwoing in a patio garden.
Cages can be used with containers to support crops such as tomatoe's, cucumbers & polebeans.
*Fertilizzers*
The easiest way to add fertilizer to plants growing in containers is by preparing a nutrient solution & pouring it over the soil mix. If you use transplants, begin watering with the nutrient solution the day you set them out. If you start with seed, apply only tap water to keep the soil mix moist enough until the seeds germinate & the plants emerge. Then begin using nutrient solution. The plants should be watered with the nutrient solution once a day. Should the vegetables make alot of foliage growth, twice a day may be necessary. Less water is needed during periods of slow growth.
At least once a week, it is advisable to leach all the unused fertilizer out of the soil mix by watering with tap water. Add sufficient water to the container to cause free drainage from the bottom, this practice will prevent any build-up of injorious materials in the soil mix.
When deciding which plants to put in your container patio garden, be sure to consider what amout of shade or sunlight you have available. You may also consider alternating plant colors for a more impressive display. Add some colorful flowers into your container garden. regardless of vegetable, herb or flower type chosen, it may be advisable to construct your container garden out of about half foliage plants. these will provide color throughtout the blooming cycle of other plants, vegetables, or flowers in your gardening containers.
*Tips*
Make sure to use a potting soil when planting in containers - potting soils are specially formulated for use in containers due to their high nutrient content & light weight mix.
*Another Good Source of Fertilizer*
Brewed tea leaves, whether it come from loose tea leaves or a tea bag,
do make an excellent source of fertilizer for plants when mixed with the soil. If you use tea bags, simply tear the bag & sprinkle the tea into the soil.
*Repodding*
When repodding, use a premium potting soil that contains ingredients such as composted bark fines, sphagnum peat moss, a wetting agent & plant food to grow your plant to it's greatest potential.
