So many of us are really getting into growing our own. Great news, except not everyone has a lot of space. Planting in containers is a really great alternative but there are a few things to consider.
This green pepper delivered some deliciousness. This container is about 22 inches wide.
Size matters. Tomatoes are super popular and grow well in containers but they need room! Here’s the caveat: unless the variety was bred for small spaces. The University of Minnesota Extension suggests using a container AT LEAST 12 inches in diameter container.
This compact tomato plant delivered well in this 12-inch pot
However, bigger CAN be better…
This pot is around 20 inches in diameter.
And here’s why…
The larger pots hold more soil and more water which minimizes wilting and stress as plants get large.
This chart from the University of Florida is a list of vegetables and the minimum and preferred size container, how many plants per pot and cultivar suggestions. It’s not a big list but you can try anything in a container, just remember… some stuff works and some stuff doesn’t!
Don’t try this at home! Kalette (brussels sprouts/kale hybrid) and corn. ????
Too many plants and not a good matchup!
Look for vegetables that say “miniature”, “compact”, “dwarf”. There are small cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and more! Don’t forget the herbs!!
‘Little Bing’ can stay in this container or you can move it to a bigger one
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 using our potting media aka soil. Gertens is very careful about our product and we don’t sell ground aka dirt. Read more here.
As for watering, that’s daily, and even sometimes twice a day if it’s really hot.
Bottom line… anything is worth a try, except maybe kalette and corn! ????
Now GROW get ‘em,
