How to Container Garden
A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

Growing vegetables in a container is a great way to grow vegetables when you just don’t have the room or know how to start a full size garden bed. To get started you only need a few supplies along with the seeds that you want planted for the summer. Once you are ready to begin, there are some basic rules of thumb to know about. Learning how to container garden really is a lot easier for anyone growing vegetables for the first time.

Choosing a Container

The container that you are gardening in is an important first step because you want it to be able to provide a suitable growing space for the entire season. The style that you choose is entirely personal, but there are requirements that must be met. Your container must have holes in the bottom for draining. A deeper container is better for growing vegetables and a wider container makes it possible to add a companion plant.

You can use most anything that is suitable, like wooden planters or plastic. Even terra cotta pots. I prefer wooden cedar planters because they’re naturally rot resistant. This set of 4 cedar planters below is perfect because they’ve already got the drain holes. There are a couple of smaller ones for your smaller plants…then a couple of bigger ones for the larger plants.

Starting From Seed or Transplants

Container Vegetable gardening from seed or transplants that you purchase are both possible with time. Seeds should be started indoors, well before being planted into your container. You will be able to find a better variety of tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce to grow when you begin with seeds.

Growing from transplants is great if you do not get an early jump on planting. Transplants are already weeks old, so choose those that look healthy and whose roots are not coming out of the container they are in.

Choose Your Vegetables

Decide what to grow so that you have suitable supplies available to provide for their needs. It will also help when it comes to knowing the number and sizes of pots available and how much potting soil to purchase. Then decide where you are going to place your pots for maximum sunshine.

Tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce are the easiest vegetables to start with and all well suited to container gardening. Other fun choices are potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, zuchini and other squash.

Plant and Care for Your Garden

Fill your pots with potting soil, five inches to the top for transplants, or two inches for seeds. Add your transplants or seed and fill with potting soil to just below the lip of the pot. Be sure not to overcrowd too many plants in one container, as this can hinder growth.

Water thoroughly after planting, and continue watering daily immediately after planting to ensure germination of seeds and that the plant roots establish themselves. Make sure to feed your plants often too, with Miracle Gro. Place your pot in a sunny corner, avoid moving once it is there, and try to cluster containers close together to encourage growth.

Learning how to container garden, is really that simple! You’re well on your way to enjoying fresh veggies that you grew yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back!!

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