Container gardening

Perhaps you just adore summer vine-ripened tomatoes or peppers but just don’t have the space for a garden. Or, maybe you just aren’t quite able to maintain a home gardenlike you did 20 years ago. Gardening in containers is one of the most versatile and creative forms of garden design. People are doing container gardening now for many reasons:

• Your backyard or traditional gardening space is limited or unavailable;

• Your time for gardening is limited;

• Your mobility is limited to working in raised beds or containers;

• Your gardening site is unsuitable for growing desired plants due to soil conditions, unsuitable sun or shade, or other environmental factors.

The container

Generally, plants can be grown in anything that will hold growing media and allow proper drainage. Some of the more traditionally used containers include terra cotta (clay) pots, plastic pots, hanging baskets, wire baskets lined with sphagnum moss or fibrous liners, concrete planters, and whiskey barrels.

Potting mixture

It is important to select a growing medium that drains well but that will also help keep plants from drying out between waterings. Keep containers moist yet well drained. The best growing mixture is one that is soil-less. Soil-less media are free of any disease pathogens, insect pests, and weed seeds. They are also generally lightweight and porous, allowing for a well-drained yet moisture-retentive mix. Premixed growing media for container gardens are available from garden centers.

Most potting mixtures become compacted and plants become root-bound over time. It is best to replace containers with fresh media at least once a year or every other season.

Selecting plants

Vegetables that work well for container gardening include snap beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, Swiss chard, rhubarb, bush cucumbers, eggplant, kale, greens, including lettuce, onions, peppers, radishes, squash, and tomatoes.

The primary keys to successfully growing vegetables in containers are to plant them in the proper-sized container and to keep them watered. Vegetables are about 99 percent water. Choose a container large enough that plants don’t dry out between waterings. For example, tomatoes must have a container with a minimum of 5 gallons potting mix.

Container gardens can, but do not have to, be limited to one type of plant. Vegetables mixed with herbs, annuals, or vines, add interest. Some vegetables can be used as ornamentals with their contrasting colors, textures and forms. Mixing and companion planting interrupts disease and pest cycles.

Before planting, cover the drainage hole in the container, using pieces of broken pottery or mesh screen to prevent the potting mix from clogging the hole. Fill the container about three-fourths full. Moisten potting mix thoroughly. Allow it to settle, and then add more media if needed.

Fertilizing

Some soil-less mixes used for container gardening do not contain fertilizers. In this case, you will need to add nutrients that plants would otherwise obtain naturally from garden soil. Use slow-release fertilizers. This allows nitrogen to be slowly released to plant roots, providing necessary fertility throughout the growing season without burning plant roots. Fertilizers are salts and when overused can burn or kill plants. These salts can build up in potting media over time and also in porous container materials such as terra cotta. Wash porous pots with a 10 percent bleach solution before planting to remove salt buildup from previous crops.

If additional fertilization is needed, a water soluble fertilizer can be used. Follow label directions on all fertilizers.

Other tips for successful container gardening

• Some vining plants require staking and trellising, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and ornamental climbers. Anchor these containers to prevent them from blowing over;

• Season porous containers before planting in them by soaking them in water. Do not allow them to dry out;

• Styrofoam peanuts in the container bottom reduces the weight;

• Place containers on legs, bricks, coasters, or saucers to allow drainage and to protect the surface.

For more information on container gardening, contact the Limestone County Extension office at 1109 W. Market St., in Athens and request Publication ANR-1139 or go to the website: www.aces.edu/publications.