Tips for Container Gardening

If you’re a gardener who has downsized, moved into an apartment, or entered a senior community, container gardening can be a fulfilling and affordable option. Container gardening is also a useful choice for those whose soil isn’t compatible with growing healthy vegetables and herbs.

I started as a container gardener, growing tomatoes, peppers, and herbs in plant boxes mounted on my deck. It was a simple way to garden – walk out the door with a small watering can to water the plants whenever the rain didn’t do it for me. If I was making a sauce and needed some fresh herbs, I simply stepped out the door and grabbed them. There were very few weeds, since the deck boxes were elevated. When there were weeds, it was easy to walk by and pick them, since everything was at waist-height, and I didn’t have to kneel or bend to pick them.

Really, it was an ideal solution for me as a beginning gardener. It’s also ideal for someone who needs only enough of a harvest for one person, or for a gardener with physical or mobility limitations.

Some plants can be grown in indoor containers, too, though they will not be pollinated naturally as they would be outdoors. In addition, container gardening is a great opportunity to get outside in the sunshine for a natural dose of vitamin D.

What edible plants are best for container gardening?

Here are some of my favorites:

Tomatoes

Although larger or taller tomato plants (i.e. Mortgage Lifter, Beefsteak, etc.) may not work in containers because of their size, there are many varieties of cherry, determinate (bush), and dwarf tomatoes that grow well in containers. Roma tomatoes, which are great for cooking and salads, have bushy plants that usually grow only a couple of feet tall. This is my favorite variety to grow for canning, making sauces, and slicing.

Peppers

If you plan to grow peppers in a container, be sure to choose a sunny, hot location. Peppers are in the nightshade family, which loves heat. Peppers can be difficult to grow from seed, and many people prefer to start them from new plants purchased at a nursery. My favorites to grow in a container are jalapeño peppers and sweet snacking peppers.

Potatoes

Purchase “seed potatoes” from garden shops, nurseries, or through seed catalogs. Don’t use potatoes purchased at the grocery store – unless they are certified organic. Otherwise, you may have a potato that has been sprayed to keep it from sprouting.

Cut your seed potato into pieces – ensuring that each piece has an eye or two. Leave them to sit until the cut area hardens over, so that they don’t rot. Potato pieces will be put into the soil with the “eyes” facing up, then covered. Once the plants begin to grow, create a hill by adding soil over the plants, covering about a third of it. Continue this process until the soil reaches the top of the container. Harvest after the plants have flowered.

One advantage of growing potatoes in pots is that pests such as moles and voles will not get to them. Be sure to use a large enough container (like a 5-gallon bucket or larger) or a grow bag.

Herbs

Culinary herbs are a practical choice for container gardening, especially given their smaller size and frequent use. Some of my favorites to grow are basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, and mint. These can be grown indoors for easy use and moved outdoors in warmer temperatures. There are many vertical planters available that have multiple attached pots. Some are even self-watering. Choose a vertical planter on quality caster wheels so you can easily roll it indoors or outdoors, based on your preferences and the weather.

Four tips for container gardening

• Be sure that your container is large enough – preferably 12 inches in diameter (across the top), and 12 inches deep minimum. Consider a 5-gallon bucket from a hardware store – this is an ideal size. Although it may seem a little large when a new plant is placed in it, you’ll see that your plant will soon fill the container.
• Check for drainage holes in the bottom of your pot; if there are none, add a few using a drill. Many people associate killing plants with forgetting to water; in fact, many plants are killed by overwatering. Roots can rot or “drown” when sitting in drenched soil.
• Use good soil and fertilizer. Plants in containers are not pulling any nutrients from the ground, so be sure to start with quality potting soil and fertilize once every week or so, depending on your plant. Always use an organic fertilizer (I like Dr. Earth Organic Fertilizers) and avoid synthetic fertilizers, which contain potentially harmful chemicals.
• Be sure to water your plants often, since soil in containers dries out more quickly than soil in the ground.

Gardening is my ultimate “therapy” – getting my hands into the soil always makes me feel more balanced and at peace. Gardening increases physical activity, reduces stress, gets you into the sunshine, and is a therapeutic form of exercise for green thumbs of any age!