Container Gardening Tip Sheet

A. WHY CONTAINER GARDENING? (by Denny McKeown)

1. No cultivating or weeding

2. Can start early (don’t worry about frost or hail, just bring pots into garage)

3. Pots can be moved to location of greatest number of sun hours

4. Less plant disease and insect problems (plants are healthier and have better resistance)

5. Larger yields due to controlled environment

6. One pot can give wide range of vegetables:

a) Early Spring (March, April) - Lettuce, Radish, Peas

b) Later (in same pot) any summer vegetable which can be grown after fear of frost Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Green Beans

7. This is for the lazy man or woman, because care and upkeep of the plants are minimal

B. SUPPLIES

1. 14” or larger plastic or clay pot

2. Good draining soil, i.e. “Soilless” Potting Mix (don’t use dirt out of the garden)

3. Large cage

4. Liquid fertilizer, e.g. Miracle Gro 15-30-15

5. Granular fertilizer, high middle number, e.g. 5-10-10 or 6-12-12

C. PROCEDURES

1. Place one or two pot fragments in drain holes (a pot with side holes is best)

2. Place dirt in pot carefully (don’t move pot fragments)

3. Fill dirt to 2” from top (acts as water reservoir)

4. Best to plant one plant per pot (some plants like cucumbers and peppers can have 2 or 3 plants per pot)

5. ALWAYS LOOSEN THE ROOTS!!

6. Herbs are best and less expensive if grown from seed

7. Cages are placed at time of planting

a) spread bottom prongs for stability

b) push to bottom of pot

8. Place in sunniest area available

a) 8-10 hours (good)

b) 10-14 hours (best)

9. First six weeks use liquid plant food every 10-14 days

10. Later use granular fertilizer (one tablespoonful per plant every 7-10 days)

11. Water as needed (on hot 90 degree plus days, I have watered twice a day)

12. As plant grows, train branches to grow inside cage

13. At the end of season:

a) Remove the plant and turn the soil over

b) Leave roots in the pot

c) Keep plastic pots outside over the winter

d) Use the same soil next season

D. VEGETABLES I HAVE GROWN

1. Tomatoes

2. Peppers

3. Cabbage

4. Eggplant

5. Cucumber

6. Squash (butternut, spaghetti, zucchini)

7. Broccoli

8. Green Onion

9. Carrots

10. Celery

11. String Beans

12. Herbs (basil, dill, parsley)

1 3. LET YOU IMAGINATION BE YOUR GUIDE!