Vegetable Gardening - Container Gardening | Gardening

By DaveTruman
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If you are looking for an easier way to control the process of growing vegetables, then perhaps you should move your garden into a container. The advantages of planting in containers are many, including easier control of pests, maintenance of soil, and adjustment of light and temperature.

One might think that planting in a container is limited to just a select few vegetables, but they would be mistaken. Of course, vegetables that need a large amount of space to flourish would not be the best choice. However, other vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and peppers thrive under more controlled circumstances.

When deciding what size container to use it is important to consider how large the plant will grow to be. Using soil that is weed free and fertilized will help ensure your success, although some prefer to use synthetic, soil-like media. For some plants, mixtures containing peat moss, perlite, and wood chips are the best choices.

For easiest water control, prepare the soil before planting, or use a synthetic medium. To grow the healthiest plants possible, it is necessary that there is the right balance of drainage and moisture retention. If the soil is full of clay particles, they can be broken up by using commercial soil. In addition, putting marbles at the bottom of the container allows the water to drain out through the bottom by not letting the holes be blocked by soil.

Water with care, though, even when the medium is well prepared. Soil can readily dry out when containers are near a window. It's easy to forget whether the watering chore was completed that day. At the opposite extreme, it's easy to introduce root rot in container plants. Keep a soil moisture tester on hand.

When trying to decide which soil to use, many think that regular outdoor dirt is a good choice, but in all reality it isn't. It is believed that the clay-like soil will better retain water, but in such a small space, the retention is exaggerated, and water will not drain properly. In the case of the soil being too sandy, it will need to be fortified. Basically, much effort is needed to properly adjust outdoor soil for containers, and therefore it is often best to just use soil that has been professionally prepared.

A good long day of sunlight is what most vegetables usually thrive under. Tomatoes, for example, do best in windows that face south, and they handle the heat well. More delicate vegetables, such as lettuce, need to be places where there is less direct sunlight and more shade. If you need a little more or less sun, all you have to do is pick up the pot and go!

Keep after insects in a container garden just as you would otherwise. If the plants sit outside in containers, pests have open access. But even indoors most small insects can readily find their way through screen mesh and small cracks in doors. Sometimes, if the eggs were laid in the soil before planting, larvae will develop even if your house is sealed tight. Insecticide soap and other commercial mixtures, when used correctly, are safe for the plants and you when you eat them.

Vegetable gardening in containers requires some effort. But the rewards are great. Having fresh vegetables on hand provides a tasty and healthy component to a good diet.

About the Author

Are you thinking about planting a garden this year but aren't sure where to start? Whether you're gardening vegetables or gardening plants, you'll find plenty of helpful tips & advice on the Gardeners Atlas website. Visit http://www.gardenersatlas.com for more information.

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