BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Troubleshoot Container Vegetable Gardens

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

Container vegetable gardens are a wonderful way to enjoy fresh vegetables year round, even if you live in the city. Troubleshooting container vegetable gardens usually fall into one of several categories: soil quality, insects, amount of water and sunlight. Usually the problems are easily fixed once diagnosed.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Allow your plants to get more light if the plants are tall and not producing. If getting more natural sunlight isn't possible, consider getting artificial lights. The lights typically need to be put very close to the plant, and you might need to leave them on for a longer period of time than you would leave the plants in natural sunlight.

Step2

Water your plants less often if they are yellowing from the bottom, the leaves are falling off and the plant has poor color overall. If your plants are wilting, they might not be receiving enough water, or it's possible you might need to increase the drainage.

Step3

Troubleshoot by looking for insects if you find the leaves of the plants have holes in them, or are irregularly shaped. Get advice from your local nursery for an insecticide appropriate for container vegetables.

Step4

Consider the soil quality if your plants are stunted or the leaves appear burned. You may have an issue with phosphate or salt levels. Low temperatures can also cause stunted plants, particularly for plants that like warmer weather.

Step5

Know that plant diseases characterized by leaf spots can usually be cured using a fungicide. Check with your local nursery for an EPA approved mix, and ask them to help you troubleshoot which insect could be affecting your vegetable container garden.