Plastic Boxes for Growing Vegetables
Some gardeners use large, plastic containers to grow vegetables. The containers can be pots, small grow beds, or even self-watering grow boxes. Using these big plastic boxes enables gardeners with limited space to grow produce. Does this Spark an idea?
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Self-Watering Grow Boxes
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To turn a large, plastic tub into a self-watering container for vegetables, fit a screen about halfway down in the plastic tub. The screen separates a reservoir of water in the bottom of the box from the soil which will be in the upper half of the box. This system allows for less maintenance than other potted vegetable plants, and results in more produce.
Containers and Raised Beds
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Plastic tubs can also be used as large plant pots or small raised beds. Raised beds have a bottom that separates the soil in the bed from the ground underneath, so think of a large, plastic container as a portable raised bed. For best results, drill a hole or two in the bottom of the tub for drainage, and lay down small rocks or pebbles on the bottom of the tub before filling it with potting soil. The pebbles help with drainage, and help prevent the soil from holding too much water, which can result in rotting seeds. If you want to use these containers indoors, have a large tray or upside-down lid underneath the box to catch draining water.
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Considerations
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To maximize space, vegetable gardeners can utilize interplanting in their grow boxes. Interplanting is the practice of planting compatible plants with different maturation times. For example, the radish is a fast-maturing plant, while lettuce takes longer to mature. If you plant radishes and lettuce in the same box, you will pick the radishes before the lettuce needs a lot of space. You get more produce in a small space this way.
Warning
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Plant "companion plants" in the same box. Do not mix sweet soil crops such a carrots and tomatoes with more acidic soil crops such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
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