VEGETABLE CONTAINER GARDENING TOMATOES
Posted on Sunday, December 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’ve decided I’d like to grow some of my vegetables in containers. Which ones? And how big a container?
As well as my veggie patch I’m working on (slow process) I thought I’d like to try a big container on my large balcony to grow some more vegetables.
Already I’m growing some herbs and flowers in pots quite successfully, but vegetables are harder to grow in pots because they need more room.
So I was thinking of getting a big container and growing some in there, which I’ve heard a lot about – anybody done it and it worked?
What is a suitable sort of container? Do I have to buy or make it? What are good measurements – I’d like one maybe 2m by 2m, but how deep should it be?
I think I’ll grow lettuce, basil, bok choy, silverbeet, tomatoes and snow peas in my container, is that a good idea?
With zucchini, cucumber, capsicum, watermelon, rockmelon (if they grow lol) in the main garden.
The vegetables you mentioned will work fine in containers. However, it will be better to plant each variety in separate containers rather than cramming them all in one. The tomato plant will require at least a 5 gallon bucket sized container, at least 18 inches across and 12-15 inches deep. The lettuce, basil, bok choy, silverbeet and peas can be planted in smaller containers. Remember to support your peas with a cage, stake or small trellis.
You can also grow zucchini and cucumber in containers – just look for bush varieties of these vegetables.
You can purchase whatever containers you need fairly inexpensively from your local garden center. It’s a good idea to go ahead and buy potting soil rather than using the dirt from your garden. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of each container. Finally, make sure that the vegetable plants will get enough sun. Vegetables need at least 6-8 hours/day of direct sunlight.
The following link has lots of good info about planting, watering, fertilizing and harvesting many of the vegetables you mentioned. There’s also good advice about planning and starting both a traditional garden and a container garden.
Good luck!
Tomato Hornworms in My Container Garden