Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tips to grow veggies in containers
Growing vegetables and herbs in containers is a great way to garden if you have less space or if your sunny area is smaller.
The TYPE of container you use is important. For instance, tomatoes are super popular and grow well in containers but they need size! University based information says use AT LEAST a 12 inch diameter container, but honestly, bigger is better. The larger pots provide more soil and hold more water which minimizes wilting and stress as plants get large.
This chart from the U of MN has a variety of veggies, the minimum and preferred size container, how many plants per pot and cultivar suggestions.
As for the container material, avoid using metal containers, they can absorb too much heat and be deadly to plant roots.
Think of sitting on the hood of a car, with shorts on, after it’s been in the hot sun! OUCH. Butts and roots don’t tolerate extreme high or low temperatures that upper plant parts can take.
Black containers can also be very hot for roots in full sun conditions, which is where your tomatoes should be. Light colored containers are best for minimizing hot conditions.
As for soil, use a quality mix. I recommend talking with your local garden center, most of them are very careful about the product they sell.
I use squished milk jugs in the bottom of my really large containers to take up space. As for watering, that’s daily, and even sometimes twice a day if it’s really hot.
