Just about anything will grow in a container. Its a matter of what you're growing as to how large a container you will need. I've been able to grown everything from tomotoes to turnips in containers the size of those styrofoam coolers that you see in the drugstores and supermarkets. There are varieties now being sold that have been designed specifically for container gardening. The plants don't grow as tall or as wide. Sort of a mini or dwarf variety.
I've gathered information from various sources over the years--Mother Earth Living, Martha Stewart, Farm and Garden... Container gardening is much simpler than most people think. The only things I don't grow are vine-type crops--watermelons, cantelope, etc.
The two things I've always kept in mind are that you need to water more since these are in containers and your chances of having a bumper crop are better BECAUSE they are in pots, so no weeds to contend with and fewer bugs.
If I had more space, I'd even be trying the vine-type crops, but for now, the seeds I've planted for this year seem to be growing nicely. Now, its just a matter of time, sunshine, watering and, on occasion, fertilizer!
Be sure to call a local nursery and ask them what does best in your area. They will be more than happy to help you get started!
I've gathered information from various sources over the years--Mother Earth Living, Martha Stewart, Farm and Garden... Container gardening is much simpler than most people think. The only things I don't grow are vine-type crops--watermelons, cantelope, etc.
The two things I've always kept in mind are that you need to water more since these are in containers and your chances of having a bumper crop are better BECAUSE they are in pots, so no weeds to contend with and fewer bugs.
If I had more space, I'd even be trying the vine-type crops, but for now, the seeds I've planted for this year seem to be growing nicely. Now, its just a matter of time, sunshine, watering and, on occasion, fertilizer!
Be sure to call a local nursery and ask them what does best in your area. They will be more than happy to help you get started!
You can also grow vining crops in containers. I've grown pole beans in containers, you get lot more beans in the same amount of space. I used bamboo poles and strings to make a teepee for the beans to climb in the pot. You can even grow fig trees in pots if you can move them into a sheltered place for the winter!
Yep, just about anything can be grown in a container if the container is the right size and you grow under the right conditions. You can grow potatoes in a barrel; strawberries in hanging baskets; tomatoes and peppers do well in pots; etc.
That said, the best way is just to try. Even when I was planting a large garden, it took some years of experimentation to find what worked best in it and what was not worth the time and trouble.
Seeds or small plants are not terribly expensive. Experiment and have fun.
That said, the best way is just to try. Even when I was planting a large garden, it took some years of experimentation to find what worked best in it and what was not worth the time and trouble.
Seeds or small plants are not terribly expensive. Experiment and have fun.
We tried a container garden last year, so speaking from personal experience, you must be sure your dirt is high quality, plus have a good consistency (mainly loose/soft enough, as dirt can get hard easy in containers for some reason). Roots can get bound in tight, hard dirt, so keep it like you would tilled land/dirt, good and loose. Good luck!
Hello, some years ago I was severely limited by space considerations and discovered I could grow darn near anything in bags of potting soil or composted manure. You poke a couple holes in the bottom for drainage then cut X's on the top to plant your plants in. I grew cucumbers and zuchini and just about everything in the bags . I even grew a small patch of corn but I don't really reccomend that. Takes too many bags to get enough to pollinate and get good ears. I grew my carrots in 5 gallon buckets and they did well.
I have found that I can get large free containers from a local nursery. The pots are recyclable and many people return the pots to a nursery after they have planted trees. The nursery I go to lets me take all I want.
You can pollinate corn yourself by cutting off a tassel or two and brushing it over the silk of all the ears.
Or "... corn plants have separate male flowers (tassels) and female flowers (the silks). Pollen formed on the tassels is carried by the wind to the silk (stigmas) produced by the ears. To hand-pollinate place white paper bags over selected ears before the silk appears. Secure the bottom of each sack with a rubber band or length of twine. When pollen shakes away from the tassels easily cut one off and rub it against the silk of ears growing on different plants. Then replace the bags until the ears mature." (Mother Earth News, Sept/Oct 1978, author unknown.)
Or-- "...the male flowers form the tassel at the top of the plant. The female flower -- located at the junction of leaves and stem consists of a collection of silks enclosed in the husks of what will become the ears. These silks are pollen-receiving tubes. Normally, wind-blown pollen from the tassel falls on the silks below. Each silk leads to a potential kernel and pollen must land on all silks for the ear to fill out completely.
There are several different strategies for the collection and distribution of pollen when hand-pollinating corn -- many involve paper bags and rubber bands. The easiest method I’ve found is still used by some Native Americans for ceremonies; collecting pollen from all shedding tassels that day in a single container and then dispersing it equally among all available ears. Just bend a corn top over a large bowl and gently shake the tassel."
from view link
Or "... corn plants have separate male flowers (tassels) and female flowers (the silks). Pollen formed on the tassels is carried by the wind to the silk (stigmas) produced by the ears. To hand-pollinate place white paper bags over selected ears before the silk appears. Secure the bottom of each sack with a rubber band or length of twine. When pollen shakes away from the tassels easily cut one off and rub it against the silk of ears growing on different plants. Then replace the bags until the ears mature." (Mother Earth News, Sept/Oct 1978, author unknown.)
Or-- "...the male flowers form the tassel at the top of the plant. The female flower -- located at the junction of leaves and stem consists of a collection of silks enclosed in the husks of what will become the ears. These silks are pollen-receiving tubes. Normally, wind-blown pollen from the tassel falls on the silks below. Each silk leads to a potential kernel and pollen must land on all silks for the ear to fill out completely.
There are several different strategies for the collection and distribution of pollen when hand-pollinating corn -- many involve paper bags and rubber bands. The easiest method I’ve found is still used by some Native Americans for ceremonies; collecting pollen from all shedding tassels that day in a single container and then dispersing it equally among all available ears. Just bend a corn top over a large bowl and gently shake the tassel."
from view link
Don't forget that some veggies can grow in the same container with others.
Don't overlook such things as bush green beans and bush lima beans that do not vine and grow tall. They can surround a tomato plant that you stake up as can green peppers. And if a tomato plant is growing on a porch or deck, it does not "have" to be staked...it can just flop or let it grow up a deck post.
Some green beans grow purple or burgundy and making them easier to see when picking but they turn green when you cook them.
Don't overlook such things as bush green beans and bush lima beans that do not vine and grow tall. They can surround a tomato plant that you stake up as can green peppers. And if a tomato plant is growing on a porch or deck, it does not "have" to be staked...it can just flop or let it grow up a deck post.
Some green beans grow purple or burgundy and making them easier to see when picking but they turn green when you cook them.
I garden in Tucson, Arizona and my entire garden, except for the small cactus section, is in containers. Currently I have four different varieties of tomatoes, and five different peppers. Herbs also are in containers. My rosemary has been going crazy for a couple of years ... I have to shear it back and the pot isn't bigger than a quart.
In the summer I do have to water morning and night since temps are often 100 degrees or more in the daytime.
In the summer I do have to water morning and night since temps are often 100 degrees or more in the daytime.







