Container gardening: Any links or ideas?

[Hoopla Phil]

I'm in an apartment with a fairly large patio that has a little dirt space on it. I'd like to plant some food stuff but know nothing about it. I put up a couple of topsy turvies today but I'd like more than just tomatoes but have no idea what I'm doing. Any help would be appreciated.

[mitchum]

1. Ms mitchum has planted purple carrots in a 4' x 4' x 1' container...

however, one of the cats has decided it is an excellent bathroom. It was suggested to her to place plastic forks with the tines pointing up throughout the box in order to dissuade the cat. She did. Now it looks like something by Dali.

[Hoopla Phil]

8. I would never have guessed that possible. How many can

you get per 4 x 4 container?

[mitchum]

18. 50 plants...and 40 forks :)

[Grey]

2. Try the gardening forum,

Filed under personal interests.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Gardening group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=246

[Matariki]

4. I've had a lot of success w/ square foot gardening

it translates well to containers and you can fit a lot of plants in a small space. You can probably grow just about crop you want, depending on the light you are getting. Google 'square foot gardening' or get a copy of the book from your library. The soil mix is important and is the biggest upfront expense apart from the containers.

[Hoopla Phil]

9. That's great. Thanks!

[Ilsa]

5. It's highly possible you can do some container gardening. Here are some sites:

Here's a couple of sites for you:
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg1013522614242.html
Good site here: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/container/container.html

See the gardening forum. It's great.

[Hoopla Phil]

10. Thank you for the links

[Mojorabbit]

6. Earth boxes are great.

http://www.earthbox.com/ or to make your own http://www.instructables.com/id/how_to_make_an_earth_box/
I am growing a ton of stuff in mine on my balconies(onions, scallions, herbs, lettuces, garlic, shallots, etc) but I also have raised beds out in the yard. I also have cucumbers growing in pots as well as tomatoes and peppers.

[Hoopla Phil]

11. And more great links! Thank you!

[Hoopla Phil]

25. That earth box idea is great!!! How often do add water and how

do you know when there is enough water in it?

[Mojorabbit]

31. It depends on how hot it is

I usually water two times a week. You will have to experiment depending on your climate.There is a hole in the side which starts to drain when it is full so you will know when you have put enough water in.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Now THAT'S a funny post! Just kidding!

I live in the City of Big Bear Lake, CA. My lot is not conducive to growing vegetables AT ALL. However, my driveway has a level spot at the very bottom. I bought eight half-barrels, and filled them with potting soil and mulch. I'll have ripe tomatoes in a few weeks, and after that I'll have to GIVE away my veggies. My plants (bought as seedlings) are taking off like an Apollo rocket!

P.S., they are in a place that has about 10 hours per day of unobstructed sunshine.

I googled "growing vegetables in containers" and got some seriously good advice.

PP.SS. My Topsy Turvy tomato hanging thingies just arrived, and I'm looking forward to planting in them.

[Hoopla Phil]

15. I seriously did LOL at that one!

Your barrels, are they the blue plastic FDA type or some other?

My Topsy Turvy's were on sale today at Home Depot for $9.95! I bought three along with two very large tomato plants, one Poblano pepper plant and one Anaheim Pepper plant. I put one tomato plant per Turvy and the two pepper plants in the third Turvy. I'm hoping that the peppers take. I can already taste the Anaheim pepper stuffed with cheese battered and deep fried (or backed if desired). MMMmmmmm good.

My patio has a staggered brick wall that is 7 feet tall. I have trellises going from the eves out to the wall that I've hung the Turvys on. It should give proper sunlight. Just inside the brick wall I have 2 to 3 feet of dirt that currently are planted with honey suckles. I love the how the honey suckles vine up the brick covering the wall and REALLY love the smell in spring time but I'm thinking about replanting with some kind of vining plant that produces something edible.

Thank you for your response.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. My barrels are of the wood kind, and I'm inclined to think that they were once Jack Daniels barrels

I say that because I read that I should drill holes in the bottom of the barrels to facilitate drainage, and as The Great Spirit is my witness, when I started drilling I was treated to the strongest Jack Daniels fragrance I've EVER smelled in a bar after ordering a Jack and Coke.

Eight solid hours of sunlight is what I'm told make the best growing environment for tomatoes. Not lots of sunlight with some shade, but direct sunlight for the whole time. Please keep in touch as I'm very interested in what the Topsy Turvy commercial advertises and whether or not it's accurate. We can share stories. If it works like it says, I'm buying a canning system so I can put them away indefinitely.

FWIW, I found out that potatoes can be grown in either stacks of old tires, or even garbage bags. Next year, I'm going to be the POTATOMEISTER. Now, if I can only figure out how to grow rice in a small semi-dry spot, I'll be GOD.

Keep in touch!

[Hoopla Phil]

23. Thanks for the info.

I wonder if the Plastic barrels will work? I've read that tires filled with dirt make a real good container for potatoes, I may see about that too.

Well today the leaves were turned up toward the sunlight so I'll take that as a good sign.

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the barrels so extra water can drain.

Otherwise, any container will do.

I'm going to try growing potatoes next season. I hear you can even grow them in trashbags.

[elleng]

12. Check out this group:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=246

[Hepburn]

13. I have one of those upside down tomato things...

...and it works GREAT!




They are called TOPSY TURVEY. Hangs from my awning and it looks like I am gonna have a ton of tomatoes.

Please note: Water is EVERY day ~~ but to not over water ~~ and make sure it is in a very sunny spot.

[Hoopla Phil]

16. Thanks for the tip. About how much water daily should I give them?

[Hepburn]

19. About 2 - 3 cups.

If it looks a bit wilted, you are over watering. When you water ~~ in the AM ~~ there should only be a some drops of water coming out of the bottom of the container. Do not flood it ~~ but do water every day.

BTW: The best price I have found on one of these is at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Only $9.99 there and on TV...add $10.00 to that price. Just get potting soil and a tomato plant and ~~ voila ~~ tomatoes!

Also, you will need an S-hook to hang the planter. I got a really long one since the awning is pretty high off the ground.

This is actually something that is sold on TV that works! :hi:

[hibbing]

14. Patio or Sweet 100 Tomatoes

Hi,
I do a lot of container gardening, some more successful than others. I use the gigantic cat litter buckets that I spray paint to look a bit nicer. I currently have one Patio tomato and one sweet 100 going. They are growing like crazy. The thing with containers is to be sure to water a lot. Not sure how much sun your patio gets, tomatoes need a lot of sun. Some herbs would also be easy enough.

Good luck, and peace.

[Hoopla Phil]

17. Thanks, I got two patio plants.

They are hanging in the middle of the patio and should get a lot of sun.

Thank you

[tuckessee]

20. Fig trees make great container plants.

I've got about 70 fig trees growing in pots from 1 gallon (for rooting cuttings) to 7 gallon (for old, established trees) in size. Depending on where you live you may need to bring them inside for winter.

Apparently fresh figs are rather uncommon in most areas and people are absolutely thrilled & amazed when I give them a basket full of tasty locally grown just picked figs.

Peppers also grow well in containers. Hot peppers are the easiest.

[1]

22. very simple. go to the local hardware store. buy some 5 gallon buckets...

fill the buckets with dirt. plant some seed in the buckets. put the buckets on your patio in the sun. water your buckets when they appear dry.

(now, if you are lucky like me, and a cow passes by and deposits a "pie" on your property, put that pie on top of your bucket and mix it in. you will not believe how much a cow pie will enhance the growth of anything you are attempting to grow.)

in a few weeks your seed will sprout. love them. nurture them. water them. talk to them. encourage them. this too is important.

your seeds will become sprouts and your sprouts will become plants and your plants will become food.


it is just that simple.

you put the seeds in the dirt and they become food.



its the circle of life. and it is amazing...

[catchnrelease]

26. I just found this link

This past weekend I found this link for "Earthtainers". Look very interesting and if you are the least bit handy you can make them yourself. I want to try a couple next year. We have part of our small back yard in veggies and berries, but have to leave some lawn for the dogs to play on. So these containers could sit on the patio. At the bottom of the article there are links to very detailed instructions and even a how to video. If you follow the links there are photos with the Earthtainers full of corn, tomatoes, eggplants, and snow peas. It's all freeware.

http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/

[Mopar151]

27. I recycle racing tires

as containers. I use 27 x 13.0 x 15 bias ply slicks. I cut 1 sidewall out (easy with a new utility knife blade), and place pieces of scrap plywood in the other side (down) to hold the soil.

I fill in with a few inches of rocky, good draining fill, and then fill 2-3 inches from the top with topsoil and potting mix.
These are especially good for tomatoes and other warmth-loving plants, as the black tires soak up solar heat. Also, the round tomato trellises from the garden store fit these perfectly.

[wiggs]

28. Rainbow chard is one of my favorites...will do well in containers. nt

[Abecca]

29. Take a gardening class.

You should take a class at Home Depot. I think that they are free. They will teach you all that you need to know. It can't hurt to try.

[alfredo]

30. I put tomatoes in old five gallon pails. I drill holes in the bottom. Green

peppers and hot peppers can do with less. Herbs grow well in containers. Chard and lettuce does well in containers.