Growing vegetables in containers saves space in a small garden.
If your garden is limited by space or poor soil, try growing homegrown vegetables in containers on window sills, patios, your balcony or even your doorstep.
Selection
Almost any garden vegetable will grow in a container. These include tomatoes, peppers, spring onions, beans, lettuce, squash, radishes, parsley, runner beans and cucumbers. Most plants that grow in your garden will do well in containers.
Soil
Soil should be free of disease and weed seeds. Mix in some home made compost .
Containers
Any container can be used for growing vegetable plants. Tupperware, cans, tubs or wooden trays. As long as it's easy to handle and has space for root growth.
Good drainage is also important. Drill or cut drain holes about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from the bottom and add an inch of coarse gravel in the bottom.
Seeding and Transplanting
If you have saved seeds from last season's harvest you will know how to sow them. If not read the packet. It's really that easy. Always buy plants that suit your site and soil and can be transplanted. Choose disease-resistant varieties whenever you can. Organic seed catalogues offer a huge range of plants, both ornamental and edible.
Fertilization and Watering
Making your own Organic liquid mix is best (lots of free information on the net). Home-produced organic garden compost nourishes the soil (tips on making a compost heap).
Chemicals
Chemicals, even organically acceptable ones can cause more damage than we realise. Contact killers can often hit non-pest species, while treatments designed to combat fungal problems can be washed into the soil, damaging worms. Try to avoid the use of chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilisers. Almost all chemicals will kill plants and animals beyond those targeted. Work with nature rather than against it. Organic gardeners want their plants to grow well, but not at any cost. Don't rely on an arsenal of pesticide sprays to deal with problems. Accept and tolerate a certain level of imperfection.
Light
Nearly all vegetable plants will grow better in full sunlight than in shade. Lettuce, cabbage, greens, spinach and parsley will tolerate more shade than radishes, beets, turnips and onions. Fruit bearing plants like cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes will need a lot more light so position the vegetables in areas where they can receive the best possible growing conditions.
Harvesting
Eat the vegetables at their peak when full off flavour .
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