Container vegetable basics
Just because you don’t have the acreage doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own edible harvest
Here are some things to keep in mind when growing vegetables in tiny spaces:
**Containers:**
Make sure your container is big enough to accommodate a fully grown plant, hold sufficient soil and have good drainage. When deciding what to plant, keep in mind that many dwarf varieties have been developed, which increases the range of vegetables to container gardeners. But here’s a general guide:
**Soil:**
A lightweight potting mix is necessary for containers. Soil from the garden is too heavy and the particles too small, causing the soil to compact when watered.
**Watering:**
Vegetables in containers will dry out more quickly than those in the ground. Water until excess runs out of the bottom. Consider mixing polymer crystals into the soil, which absorb water and then gradually release moisture. Mulch on top of the soil also helps to retain moisture.
**Fertilizing:**
Nutrients can quickly disappear in potted plants because of frequent watering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers—you will get large, leafy plants but not a lot of fruit. Phosphorus, on the other hand, promotes growth of roots and ripening of the seed. Potassium promotes fruit production.
**Tip:**
The three numbers on the package indicate the proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in that order.
(continued below)
| Pot size | Veggies |
|
8" (1 gallon) |
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10" (about 2 ½ gallons) |
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12" (about 3 ½ gallons) |
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24" (about 16 gallons) |
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