By: Gary Bachman, Ph.D., Retired horticulturist, Coastal Research and Extension Service, Biloxi, MS; Head Grower, Heritage Cottage Urban Nano Farm
There’s nothing like preparing a meal using vegetables that were picked only five minutes earlier. That goal drives the efforts of many home gardeners.
But many people, especially those new to gardening, are under the misconception that a vegetable garden is a lot of work. Who wants to go out and take care of the weeding after you’ve worked all day and it’s 90 degrees outside? Besides, who has the room needed for a garden?
Truth be told, you only need a small garden or even a patio to enjoy fresh-grown vegetables in the summer and year-round.
Growing vegetables in containers is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh produce, and you don’t have to weed. Container growing is also ideal if you have limited yard space or live in an apartment and only have a balcony or patio.
I’ve found that you can harvest more vegetables in a lot less space growing them in containers than if you grow those same plants in the ground.
Soil conditions are less than ideal in many locations in Mississippi and around the country. Growing vegetables in containers is a great alternative to the work you would have to put in to amend poor soil. Those with accessibility concerns can also enjoy vegetable gardening when the containers are placed on benches or tables to bring the garden up to a higher level.
When I talk about container gardening, one question I always get concerns what type to use. There is no one answer for all situations.
Reusing black nursery containers is inexpensive. These pots come in a wide variety of sizes all the way up to 15 gallons and larger. I grow citrus trees in 25-gallon containers. For harvest success with tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, I suggest using at least 5-gallon containers. Zucchini and squash grow really well in this size of container.
Don’t forget about potatoes and a favorite of mine, Jerusalem artichoke. These plants do extremely well in large containers. During the cooler months, lettuce and other types of greens grow well in window boxes.
Moisture is the single most crucial consideration when growing vegetables in containers. Since their roots are not in the ground, the plants depend completely on you for water. Most must be watered daily at least and multiple times a day in the summer.
This is where drip irrigation is handy. Off-the-shelf starter kits make the setup easy. I recommend using pressure-compensated emitters, which allow gardeners to know precisely how much water is being applied.
Always use peat-based container mixes – never garden soil – when growing vegetables in containers. These mixes have components like peat moss, coir, bark, and forest by-products that ensure a well-drained container. Adequate fertilization is necessary for a successful harvest.
Controlled-release fertilizers release nutrients over a period of time, typically from three months to more than nine. You must supplement these products monthly with another fertilizer like calcium nitrate. Since you will be watering anyway, I think using a water-soluble fertilizer is a great way to get this done. Apply water-soluble fertilizer weekly and combine with a controlled-release product for superior results.
So, start dreaming of fresh vegetables on the table this summer, and put some container gardens together now to make it happen.
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