A fall container garden can hold a wide variety of fall vegetables. Any space will do: patios are great. Doorways that receive sun, balconies, even window boxes, small backyards or fences can provide a space for container gardens.
Fresh and nutritious produce grow well in containers. In fact, when properly cared for, container gardens can provide as many vegetables as a conventional, in-ground garden.
Sunlight for Container Gardens
All plants require sunlight. The amount of sunlight your container garden receives is crucial to deciding what plants will do well. Plants grown for vegetable fruit need at least five hours of sunlight every day. They do best with eight to 10 hours. However, plants grown for their leaves can tolerate partial shade.
Landscaping with Container Gardens
An imaginative gardener can use containers to enhance their landscapes. Pots with an assortment of herbs and interesting vegetables, like ornamental cabbage (which is edible, by the way), can enliven a drab corner.
Place containers among garden beds to add depth, color and texture to duller areas. Even a shady balcony can be home to desirable vegetable plants.
Types of Containers
There are very few rules for vegetable containers. Just about any material will work: plastic, terracotta, wood, metal, and glass, even bamboo containers and woven baskets. The few rules that do exist for containers:
- It must have proper drainage. The container must have drainage holes, either at the bottom or along the sides ¼ to ½ inch from the bottom. At least an inch of coarse gravel, stones, or even terra cotta shards must cover the bottom.
- It must be the right size. Too often, people plant containers with seeds or seedlings, never considering the mature size of the plant. The container must be large enough to support the mature plants, along with any fruit they may bear.
- It must be clean and uncontaminated. It should never have contained anything that might be toxic to the plants themselves or to people (and to other living things).
Soil for Container Gardens
Growing plants in containers requires soil that drains well. Of course, all gardening soil must drain well. But plain garden soil will not drain fast enough through the container. Too much moisture in the soil will not only push air away from roots, but will also cover them with water, almost ensuring root rot.
Planting in Containers
Plant container crops the same way as regular garden plantings. Fill the container with soil to about ½ inch from the top of the container. The soil should be slightly damp (use warm water to enhance absorption). Sow seeds according to instructions on the seed packet. Label each container with the name, variety and date of planting. After planting, soak well. Thin seedlings for spacing when the plants have two or three leaves.
Mulch
After the seedlings have emerged, place about an inch of mulch above the soil. This will help prevent evaporation, keep the soil at a more even temperature, and discourage weeds.
Water
Container plants dry out quickly. They may require watering once a day, perhaps twice. Avoid overwatering. Check containers regularly for dryness. Drip irrigation systems also work well for containers.
Insects
Container plants are no different from in-ground plants when it comes to insects. Organic methods work best. Blasts of water from hoses work well to dislodge harmful insects. Beneficial insects such as praying mantises and ladybugs will also help to control unwanted pests.
Fertilizers
Scratch small amounts of dry organic fertilizers into the surface of the soil. Too much fertilizer could damage the plant. Fertilize every two to three weeks.
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