How to grow vegetables in containers

How to grow vegetables in containers

So you want to grow vegetables but you don’t have enough space. Well it’s possible to grow vegetables in containers.

First of all pick your spot. It’s best to pick a spot that is in full sun. Vegetable don’t mind a little shade but you’ll find it difficult to grow vegetables if you have no sun at all.

Now you are going to need some pots to grow your vegetables in. You can use plastic pots or troughs which can be bought fairly cheaply. Or go to your local garden centre or nursery and you’ll find many suitable ceramic pots, which will look prettier.

You can also make your own garden boxes out of wood that you may have lying around. Or you could use old tyres and fill these up. You can use whatever you can think off.

You want to get a good crop from your containers so you need to buy good compost from the garden centre or nursery. This will ensure that you get a plenty of vegetables from your containers.

There are many vegetables that are suitable for growing in pots. To make things easier you can buy ready grown plants from nurseries, garden centres or mail order. Or you can start things off from seed. Choose what you feel most comfortable with.

If you do decide to grow from seed, read the instructions on the packet. You may have to start the seeds off in small pots before planting into your larger containers. But other seeds you will be able to scatter across the surface of the compost and water in.

So what can you grow?

Potatoes – these do really well in containers; you can also try tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines. I’ve also grown sweet-corn (this was in a sheltered spot), strawberries and lettuce.

Trying growing herbs in a strawberry planter – it will look beautiful and you get to eat all the different herbs.

Feeding your plants

You can feed your vegetables with a liquid feed. Or you can us a slow release fertiliser added to the compost before you plant them up.

Watering

You also need to water your container garden. If it’s very dry you will need to water every day. It’s easiest to use a hose pipe but you can also use a watering can.

Happy gardening

Gardening is fun for all the family. So get everyone involved and you’ll all be enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Discover more about gardening and growing vegetables at vegetable gardening – for all types of gardeners.