Vegetable Container Gardening

Even the smallest area, a patio, porch or even a room indoors can boast a site for vegetable container gardening.



There are a few things to consider though: choose containers with a medium to large size which will accommodate sufficient growing medium for the whole season until your crop ripens. Try to avoid vegetable container gardening  in pots with narrow openings especially if you want to grow root crops.  Small pots tend to dry out quickly and need more attention but the size and number of plants that you can grow will determine the size of the container you need; deep rooted vegetables require deep pots!

Whatever the size or shape of your vegetable container garden remember your pot needs several large drainage holes; commercially available pots may have only a central hole - drill several more holes before planting. You will need to arrange regular watering as many vegetables suitable for container gardening are thirsty. If your vegetable container garden is to be inside or on a patio or deck you should consider sitting the pot on a drip tray; ceramic saucers come in a wide range of sizes and can be made into a feature in themselves by filling them with stones, crushed slate or creamic beads etc, and have the added advantage of creating humidity around your growing plants and improving your success with vegetable container gardening.
If you have an unusual space to fill consider building your own vegetable container garden from supplies sourced from local builders merchants, old railway sleepers or even stone flagstones or brick. Your vegetable container gardening doesn't even need to be in a single pot; try grouping a variety of pots and planters together with different types of plant in each, and vary the heights with tall and short, wide and narrow pots.

Wooden containers are available in a variety of styles, sizes and prices from the simple half barrel to custom-made planters in hardwood. Wood can be stained to preserve them but avoid toxic wood treatments such as creosote as vapours may kill your plants.

Plastic pots are lightweight and cheap but they do dry out quickly and absorb heat from the sun which may damage plant roots.

Terracotta absorbs water and will also help keep plant roots cool as the water evaporates through the pot. They are more expensive but will last a very long time if treated well (check for frostproof pots) and will improve with age and enhance any style of garden.

The compost for your vegetable container garden needs to drain freely but also retain moisture around the roots. A general purpose compost is often sufficient with the addition of slow release fertilizer and water retaining granules. Although watering your pots needs to be a priority, do not allow the compost to become waterlogged as this will lead to root rotting and complete loss of your plants. Commercial potting mixes may be slightly acidic so you may need to add a little lime to the compost before planting. "Soilless" compost works best as it drains quickly and is free from weed seeds and soil bourne diseases. Bear in mind that as the compost is free-draining, fertilizer will be lost during the growing season so you may need to add extra feed at weekly intervals depending on the amount of growth. Foliar feeds work well and are easy to apply as a dilute liquid fertilizer which is
available from any garden centre or larger supermarket.

The choice is only limited by your imagination; if you like to eat it, try to grow it!
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