Hints and Hacks for Container Gardening

June 2021

CONTAINED!

Here is my 2021 update from the series of gardening hints and hacks for growing vegetables and herbs in containers that I started last year.

I've been growing herbs and vegetables in containers for years. Now I'm prepping for the current growing season. Here's what I've done so far. Also, if you haven't done any of this yet there's still time

1. Get Seeds.

I've already gotten most of mine. This year I've used a few sources. Sweetyards Seed Company, Sustainable Seed Company and Seeds of Change. All shipped through Amazon. Needless to say, shipping has been a little spotty, but I've gotten most of what I ordered. If you need seeds, contact your local garden center or hardware store to see what's left. Please purchase from local sources - they need the business. A lot has already been sold out. Also, local environmental organizations and public gardens, do seed swaps and the like. If you're not sure what to grow, get a vegetable and herb variety pack.

Here are some good growing vegetables in containers ideas.

And remember, herbs are about as easy to grow as weeds. Here are ones that do well in containers:

Basil

Cilantro

Chives

Lavender

Lemon Balm

Mint

Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Thyme

Fruit, anybody?

2. Prepare Soil

If you need soil, read this.

If you are wondering if you can re-use last years soil the answer is yes.
Here's my take on recycling potted dirt:

Remove dead plant material – if dead plant looks diseased don't use the dirt.

Pour dirt into a black trash bag, plastic garbage can, bucket or leave in place.

Add enough boiling water to dampen dirt. Cover and place in a sunny area.

One or two weeks into it stir dirt, add some new potting soil & fertilizer (here's what I use), stir and cover until ready to plant. For us here in the Midwest, around the last week in April or early May.

3. GERMINATE!

Starting plants indoors really never works well unless you have the right lighting, watering and ventilating systems. What you can do to get a head start is germinate seeds a few days or so before planting. Most vegetable and herb seeds germinate between three and fourteen days. Here's a short video from Welsby Roots showing a clever way to germinate seeds. And here are five more great seed sowing ideas from GrowVeg.com I start geminating seeds in early spring.

4. PLANT!

Based on this "Gardening with Leon" video, here is how to prep five gallon wicking bucket planters using aluminum cans:

(1) Using a wood screw, punch two 1/4" holes

(2) Make one hole around 3/4" from the top and another from the bottom.

(3) Drill one hole in bucket ~3 1/2" from bottom.

(4) Place cans top side down in bucket.

(5) Fill bucket with soil and fertilizer.

(6) Plant, water, weed, feed, and grow