Container Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs

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.

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.

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 http://www.kerrysgarden.us/weather.php

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

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

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.

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

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

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)

Container Vegetables

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

Turn any container into a self watering container

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 ???

More Information http://www.gardenweb.com http://www.davesgarden.com http://www.kerrysgarden.us

Tomatoes anyone?