Growing Vegetables in Containers

Growing vegetables in containers is a great way of starting your vegetable growing journey or a useful addition the mature vegetable garden. Containers also make growing vegetable more accessible if you have limited mobility.

When choosing containers, there are a few factors to consider.

• The size of the pot

This is very important and will be determined by the size of the plant at full maturity. A smaller shallow container can comfortably accommodate a succession of salad crops such as lettuce, rocket or radish. However, you will need larger deeper containers for tomatoes and deep-rooted plants.

• Plastic pots

These are very useful because they hold water well, are light weight and can therefore be easily moved when required. Vegetables require a sunny position, so as other plants in your garden mature, you may need to reposition them throughout the growing season.

• Metal containers

These are very attractive but will heat up in the sun so are best arranged with other pots. They will require more regular watering because they will be prone to drying out.

• Terracotta Pots

These look beautiful in the garden but you will need to keep a check on watering because they do not retain moisture in dry sunny conditions.

• Raised Beds and Raised Troughs

These are becoming very popular and are very useful if you have reduced mobility

 

Buy a good quality Compost

Compost has all the vital nutrients required for strong plant growth. It has the basic nutrients required for growth and releases them to the plants over a long period.

Remember to feed your plants

We all need food to survive and your plants are no different. Remember that the nutrients in the compost will eventually run out. It is essential to introduce feeding into your plant care regime – especially for fruiting plants such as tomatoes because they are particularly hungry.

All fertilizers contain the three important nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their make-up in the feed is outlined by three numbers and each nutrient is important for differing reasons. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth, phosphorus for root growth, while potassium is great for flowering and fruiting. There is a range of all-purpose plant food available and they come in either granular or liquid soluble form and contain all three of the essential plant nutrients.

Feeds such as organic liquid seaweed feed are ideal because it can be incorporated into your watering regime to ensure your crops have the nutrition they need to succeed.