Planting Vegetables In Containers

Planting Vegetables in Containers

By Joseph Parish

I am frequently asked if various vegetables can be planted and grown in containers. The short answer to this is "Yes". You can plant any sort of vegetable in just about any type of container, however trash cans and totes are excellent choices. My wife prefers to use large flower pots, but the choice of materials is up to you. All you need to do is ensure that whatever container you use has adequate water drainage holes to allow excess water to escape but not large enough to lose your soil.

Fill your selected containers with a good clean, quality topsoil. If you plan to reuse your containers season after season, toss out the old soil and replace it with new. In addition, be sure to provide enough space for each of the plants you intend to grow. Here are a few guidelines to follow in regards to space requirements:

Beans (bush) 6 inches

Carrots 3 inches

Corn 12 inches

Cucumbers 12 inches

Lettuce 8 inches

Peppers 18 inches

Cherry tomatoes 12 inches

Tomatoes 24 inches

Use the following formula for your soil mix:

1 part of peat moss

1 part of vermiculite

1 tablespoon of a general purpose 5-10-5 fertilizer per 12-inch pot

2 tablespoons of lime for each 12-inch pot

Make sure to keep the soil well-watered starting with the time you place the seeds in the ground and follow up into the seedling stage and end up when the plant has matured and become well established. Check the soil on a daily basis to see if you need additional water on the plant. When you find the top layer of soil is dry to your touch, then it is time to thoroughly water the plant. Continue to water until liquid comes out of the drainage holes.

There you have the basic essentials and I wish you good luck with your container garden.

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