“As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.”
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.
In her book Container Gardening Complete (Cool Springs Press, 2018), Jessica Walliser shows that you can have a lot of fun — and grow a surprising amount of food — gardening in containers.
"Any fruit, vegetable, or herb can be grown in a container, but the trick is to either seek out small-statured varieties bred specifically for container culture or make sure you choose a container large enough to support a full-sized variety," advises Walliser, who notes that there are now container-specific varieties of most fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, winter squash and even grapes.
There are a few basic rules to follow when growing in containers. "It's essential that containerized plants receive enough light," she says. But she also points out that one of the biggest perks of growing vegetables in containers is being able to move the pots around during the day to chase the sun. It's also smart to pick pots with adequate drainage and use a premium potting mix. Walliser suggests amending the mix with high-quality compost to add nutrients, improve water-holding capacity, and introduce beneficial microbes.
The most important thing to remember with containers is regular watering. "Without ample moisture, container plants will suffer and yields will be greatly reduced," says Walliser. She also notes that problems like cracked fruit and blossom-end rot are common in containers that don't get consistent water. Larger pots hold moisture better than small ones, so they cut down on watering. Don't forget to feed your plants every few weeks with a liquid organic plant food for vegetable crops.
In Container Gardening Complete, Walliser spotlights some fun and easy DIY projects like self-watering containers, food fountains, and a pollinator habitat garden that feeds both the bees and you. She also encourages mixing food and flowers for container gardens that are productive and beautiful — something I've always loved doing.
Image credit:cristina.sanvito/CC BY 2.0.Text by Niki Jabbour for the March/April 2019 issue ofHorticulture.
