1. Container Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs

2. Why Grow in Containers? Space Saving – Great for apartments
Mobility – Plants may be moved as needed
Containment – Plants that tend to spread are often better grown in a container
Extending Range – Many plants can be grown indoors or brought inside during the winter.

3. Getting Started Light – How much sun/shade per day?
Temperature – Brick can raise the temperature and create a microclimate
Water – Many container plants will need daily watering in the summer. Is there a water source nearby?
Wind – Some plants handle constant wind better than others
When choosing plants for a particular area, keep these environmental conditions in mind.

5. Zone 6 Information
AVERAGE dates for the first and last frost for zone 6
Last Frost
30 Mar / 30 Apr
First Frost
30 Sep / 30 Oct

6. Annuals vs. Biennials vs. Perennials
Most vegetables, some herbs many flowers
Replanted yearly
Biennials
1st year roots/foliage
2nd year flower/seed production
Perennials
Come back every year
Most herbs and fruit, many flowers, a few vegetables

7. Annuals Seed to Seed in a single season.
Some reseed so easily they can be long lived.
Dill, cleome
Remove fruit to encourage more production
Cucumbers, beans

8. Biennials Year 1 – root and leaf development
Year 2 – flower and seed development
Beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, parsley, some radishes
Most biennial vegetables are grown for first year only unless seed is desired.

9. Perennials Come back every year
May need winter protection especially in containers
For container plantings choose hardier varieties
Move containers up near the house during winter
DO NOT COVER WITH PLASTIC for extended periods.
Few vegetables, most herbs and fruit
Garlic, shallots, Egyptian onions, asparagus rhubarb

10. Variety Choice
When looking for plants for containers look for words like compact, petite, bush, dwarf, determinate or miniature in the plant’s description.

11. Getting to Know The Plants
All varieties are not created equal. Use the books, the Internet and seed catalogs to choose varieties suitable for containers in your location.
Pay attention to the plant’s needs (light, water, temperature)

12. Container Vegetables

14. Self Watering Containers
Variety of shapes and sizes
Helps with increased watering needs of container plants
More expensive
Easier to over water

15. Turn any container into a self watering container

16. Don’t forget your pets Even cats appreciate container plants.
Try growing some grass for your cat (lawn, wheat, oats)
Use only untreated seed
Some plants are toxic to cats and dogs
Aloe Vera
Eggplant
Onions
Tomato leaves
???

17. More Information http://www.gardenweb.com http://www.davesgarden.com

18. Tomatoes anyone?