Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces
July 1, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening
The good news is that you don’t have to have the space of a farmer’s field to produce a sizeable, healthy harvest that would make a farmer proud. In this article, we’ll explain how small garden spaces can be maximized to yield bumper crops of vegetables.
For starters, consider the types of vegetables that grow well in containers. In general, almost any <!–more-memberlock–>vegetable that you can grow in the ground can also be cultivated in a container, provided that it has ample root space and receives adequate water. Some examples of vegetables that can be grown in containers include tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, lettuce, peas, spinach, and bush beans. Crops that are not well suited to container planting include squash and watermelon, because these vining plants become quite large and sprawling, and corn, because it needs to be planted in blocks at least 4 foot wide by 4 foot long for optimal cross pollination to occur.
When choosing containers, try to think outside the box. You don’t need to go to the garden store and spend a lot of money on expensive pots and pretty ceramic planters. When planting a vegetable garden, utility is the key, and this becomes even truer if you’re trying to save money by growing your own vegetables. Consider planting in small waste paper cans, half barrels, and square blocks. If you really want to get creative, other possibilities might include old tubs or water tanks, eave troughs, bushel baskets, seed sacks, and old car tires. Your imagination really is the limit when it comes to planting containers. After all, if it will hold the plant and provide ample growing space, why not make use of it?
When deciding what plants to grow in which containers, consider the size of each plant at maturity. For medium to small sized vegetables such as leaf lettuce, you will need a soil depth of at least 8 inches. For larger vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, or peppers, the optimum soil depth should be at least 18 inches. Another consideration is how many plants you can fit into one container. For peppers, spinach, head lettuce, and beans, 4 plants per square foot is the rule of thumb. Tomatoes and potatoes will require one full square foot per plant. For leaf lettuce, as many as 6 plants can be squeezed into one square foot. When trained on trellises, peas can be planted as closely as 25 plants per square foot.
Remember, limited gardening space doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. Particularly in the case of vegetable gardening in containers, it can actually work to your advantage. Vegetables grown in the reflected heat of concrete from sidewalks, patios, or driveways will grow larger and faster, and may produce heavier yields. Even those of us with the smallest gardening spaces can find ways to squeeze in a tomato plant here and a pepper plant there for maximum yields in minimum space.
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Ellen Bell works for Home Products ‘n’ More, a retail website that offers free shipping on patio trellises, indoor greenhouse kits, and other products for container gardens. Visit us at http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Building_A_Greenhouse_s/147.htm
Good Vegetables For Planter Boxes
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening
Planter boxes give you the benefit of raising organic vegetables right outside your door or window. Rising costs of produce have caused some budget-conscious people to reconsider the money they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. But at what cost to their health? And the price of organic produce is even higher. You can grow your own vegetables, even without much space. Roots, leafy vegetables, and fleshy vegetables can all grow well in planter boxes, if you choose the right varieties and provide the attention they need.
Root vegetables are edible roots of plants. Vegetables which fall in this category include carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, radishes, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Root vegetables can work well in planter boxes, as long as the planters are deep enough. Try carrots and radishes.
Leafy vegetables also can grow Read the rest of this entry »
Putting Together Vegetable Garden Planters
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening, Urban
Aside from the beautiful flowers and good-smelling herbs people often associate with garden planters, vegetables also do great in these contained and compact environments. Depending on the planter size, most anything can be grown within, especially is care is taken to choose more dwarf or bush varieties, which take up even less space.
Some of the best vegetables for garden planters include the following:
Tomatoes: Small Fry, Saladette, Toy Boy, Spring Giant, Pixie, and Tiny Tim
Radishes: Scarlet Globe, White Icicle and Read the rest of this entry »
Planting A Vegetable Garden Reaps Hidden Health Benefits
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening, Garden Type/Location, Urban
Planting a vegetable garden is a healthy way to relieve stress, eat healthier and safer – because you control what goes on your vegetables, provide better nutrition to your family with fresh vegetables, and get some exercise while enjoying the warm sun and environment.
You can challenge your creative side by laying out your vegetable garden so that your space looks great. Whether you have a huge area for a vegetable garden, a small area, or just a deck or patio by being creative you can use your space optimally. There is nothing more satisfying than growing your own vegetables in your own vegetable garden without the use of Read the rest of this entry »
What Vegetable Garden Is Right For You?
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening, Garden Type/Location
Two Types of Vegetable Gardens
For those of us who love to nurture and consume vegetables, home gardening is a great activity to take part in. Once you have decided to have your own vegetable garden, the next step is to decide what type of vegetable garden you want. There are two types of gardens: land gardens and container gardens. When one plants vegetables in the ground, it is called land gardening. When one plants vegetables in pots, it is called container gardening. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Find out which is Read the rest of this entry »
Starting a Summer Window Box Garden
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening, Urban
Starting your own vegetable garden can be a great idea. Window boxes are one way to start a simple vegetable garden that can easily be accessed from a window, deck, or patio. Get some fall and summer window box ideas about starting your own vegetable garden and learn about window box gardening. As more people turn to organic and whole foods, gardening will continue to grow in popularity. Window box gardening makes learning how to garden fun, simple, and convenient and it gives you some ideas on how to use your window boxes year round.
Weather you’re a beginner or a pro, a window box is a simple and convenient way to maintain a miniature garden. Depending on the season, different plants and techniques are recommended to best optimize your garden. As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, your window box garden will need some additional considerations to produce a healthy garden crop.
The first consideration is Read the rest of this entry »
Easy How-to for Urban Gardening of Healthy Organic Vegetables
June 30, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening, Urban
Many people who live in an urban setting think that they cannot take advantage of the benefits of having their own vegetable garden due to space concerns. This is a common misconception. All it requires is a little Read the rest of this entry »
Strawberry Planters – How to Use a Strawberry Planter
June 24, 2009 by Lynn Sherman
Filed under Container VegGardening
Strawberry planters are unique, space-saving, solutions for growing strawberries. It is easy to use a strawberry planter, although a few basic guidelines should be observed. The design of most planters is based on saving space. Since strawberries have shallow roots and tend to hang, they can grow in strawberry planters, which have several “pockets” coming out of the sides of the planters. Planters and strawberry pots are available in a range of sizes. Before you buy a strawberry planter, first consider Read the rest of this entry »