| Although flowers, and regular plants work in
containers, most people don't consider edible crops. Today we'll
discuss fruits, vegetables and herbs that work well in container
gardens. Fruits
Citrus plants work very well in container gardens. Oranges, lime,
and lemon are common. The foliage is very attractive even in limited
light, but the more light the better. Citrus plants bloom during
long spring and summer seasons. They are very fragrant, and can be
harvested in the late fall or winter.
Blueberries also work. They can tolerate extremely cold
temperatures, but they require special "acid soil" and even better
drainage than citrus. They bloom in the spring, bear fruit in early
summer, and have attractive foliage.
Vegetables
Perhaps the most popular container vegetable is the Tomato. With
tomatoes, the larger the container the better. This is necessary
because, when watering, the water distributes better. During hot
summers, water every day and fertilize with a soluble fertilizer
every week. Tomatoes usually grow as vines, so use a wire mesh cage
to keep the vine upright. Plant tomatoes in August for the fall and
early April for the spring. Give them as much sunlight as possible.
Other vegetables that work in containers are peppers and
eggplant. Treat these as carefully as tomatoes for optimum bearing.
Onions, leaf lettuce, and carrots work as well, and can tolerate
more shade than the other plants.
Herbs
Common herbs grown in containers are thyme, rosemary, and mint.
These plants are very fragrant, and release pleasing scents. They
are a valuable addition to any container garden. Water them
regularly,
and give them enough sunlight. Fertilizer is not too important, but
over fertilization can be a hazard. They can be grown year round, but
be careful in extreme temperatures.
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