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Garden Gate:  Container Gardening  |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 28 2009 : 7:03:49 PM
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I'm kinda new to this ("this" being the forum and gardening) and i looked around on the posts and saw that some people container garden. Due to my limited space right now that's all I'm pretty much allowed to do. I was wondering if there was any key advice from some of the more experienced members that could help me out.
anything is appreciated
thanks bunches.
Karen
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2009 : 7:47:43 PM
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Hi there! How much is limited space? Are we talking containers on a deck, windowsill or a little room in a small yard?
~sonshine |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 11:19:38 AM
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since it's not my place i was fortunite enough to be able to put six pots and two windowsill out. i'm kinda worried about the watering issue. i know that being a container they dry out faster but how do you know if you are over watering?
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 11:56:06 AM
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I do containers with herbs and nasturtiums. I've tried container gardening with tomatoes but they were rootbound before mid summer and I didn't even get fruit from them. What are your pot sizes? There are these wonderful little water reservoirs that you can buy now from Gardeners Supply and Plow and Hearth that maintain a constant water supply so you're not over or under watering. Worth the cost, I would think, as opposed to losing your green stuff.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 12:15:24 PM
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I think that's not a bad idea right about now. Those deep rows are just too far for me to bend over. I think I would like some more raised beds.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 12:22:30 PM
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Generally, you don't want your soil to be soggy or have puddles in them. Not enough water and then you'll have dry, dusty texture. It should be moist. I think the easiest mistakes are over watering.
What kind of soil are you using? |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 12:49:37 PM
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plant and vegetable soil from stay green. i wanted to get the miracle grow organics but it was twice as much. :(
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 1:07:29 PM
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| I haven't done vegetables in a container, but I do have them in raised beds. I think the key is to make sure to check up on your plants and not ignore their water situation! |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 1:13:49 PM
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I've been checking them each day. I saw a little pea sprout today. It made me happy. I'm just going to have to wait it out though. IF i fail this year at least i have the stuff for the next year.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 1:17:22 PM
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| I think every year is a learning year. There are no failures...because you always are learning something new! Have fun with your sprouts! |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 1:42:20 PM
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Thanks, if one little carrot or pea pod comes out of this i will feel like i've gone way beyond my expectations.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 2:31:39 PM
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I love container gardening!!! It is so easy and your can control the soil. I would even do raised bed gardening if I had the room.
When the weather gets really hot you will have to water at least once a day. If your conditions are windy and hot maybe twice a day. But don't let watering stop you from container gardening. That's my favorite part. I love to go out in the early morning, look at the plants, water, and enjoy the beginning of a new day.
Have you seen the plans that MJ had in one of her magazines for the file box container gardens? That's what I will be doing this year on my patio. You water through a PVC pipe stuck down in the corner of the box. The water is available to the roots of the plants and the dirt doesn't get compacted. Especially great for tomato plants. If you'd like a copy just email me.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 5:44:20 PM
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thats what im most worried about. here at the beach its already been over 85 several days. so im walking a fine line rightnow between over and under watering. i love going out and watering the pots though. its relaxing. and Kay i will deffently email you about those plans.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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abigailc1973
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
abigail
orlando
fl
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 8:05:49 PM
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| Also-try to find the "space saving", "compact" or "bush" varieties of seeds but nothing beats the heirloom maters. To beat the heat down here in summer time I make the 2 litre bottle "drips" by drilling holes in the lids and putting them upside down in the containers. Remember companion planting. They have those BIG round tubs around now with the rope handles, drill you some holes in those and you can have you a 3 sisters garden in there, with your corn squash and beans. I have one planted with tomatoes and basil too. Nothing beats a window box of lettuce- I love picking my own salad. Have fun with your containers-old soup pots,buckets, storage bins..I've grown flowers in mailboxes, tires even petunias in an old pair of boots. If I can get drainage holes and dirt in it, it's planted in. Nothing is safe. I agree totally with April when she said there's no failures...just remember to enjoy yourself. Gardening is so much fun. |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 12:18:04 PM
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OH OH OH! New question!!
it's getting ready to rain this weekend and iw as wondering with containers with tiny little new seedlings in it should i move them somewhere so they don't over flood and get beat up?
i know rain is natural and everything and i can't go out and there and hold an umbrella over each one, but i also know that containers change things a bit.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 1:31:59 PM
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Well it never did rain. Atleast not yet.
But i have more seedlings pushing through. I put up a few pictures over at my blog if anyone cares to look.
Thank you guys for the help. Next will be the thinning i need a hand with. until then.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 10:36:37 PM
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I have a container garden on my front patio and I like it because I can move things around as I see fit. I can move it inside during the winter and keep some things going. I find watering at night is a bonus because it gives the plants a chance to absorb the water all night long before the heat comes back and absorbs it out of the soil again. But if it is cold at night I will water it in the morning so that it doesn't get too cold. I don't know if this is an actual proven method but I find it helps out my plants. There's a website called yougrowgirl.com. It has a lot of helpful information on it as well.
I started my container garden last September, a little late in the year I know, but this year I got a head start on it and started playing with new things. I have tomatoes, including my very first tomato plant, cucumbers, mint, rosemary, basil, parsley, strawberries, carrots, onions, just started some ruhbarb, cat nip and cat grass. I keep finding new things to plant. If something doesn't work I will reread the package or try again. I figure if it doesn't work the second time around I will move on to somthing else. I keep a notebook about what I have tried and draw a diagram of my garden and label where I put it in the garden and dates when I started it and what happens with it. It's fun. It's very much a stress release for me. On my days off I get up and go play in the garden. I look forward to it all the time. Wish I had more time and more space. I have found a lot of useful books and magazines. It's a popular thing right now. Good Luck! And don't be afraid to try something new.
Farm Girl Hugs!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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Garden Gate: Container Gardening |
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Container Gardening
