How to Grow Organic Vegetables in Containers
Buying organic vegetables from a grocery can be costly. Growing them yourself is a great way to reap the health benefits of organic vegetables without spending a lot of money. You don't need a large garden to harvest fresh, organic vegetables; many vegetables can be planted in containers right on your deck, or in another sunny location near your house. With a little setup, a few tools and daily watering, you will soon be harvesting fresh organic vegetables from right outside your door. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 18 inch planters
- Planter trays
- Organic potting soil
- Organic seeds and seedlings
- Watering can
Instructions
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Setting Up
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Purchase planters at least 18 inches in diameter and 14 inches deep. The planters can be bigger. Purchase wooden barrels, or clay or terra cotta planters to ensure good drainage and to prevent mold growth or root rot.
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Place the planters on a tray to help retain water. Place a handful of pebbles or river rock at the bottom of each planter to help water drain away from root system.
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Fill planters with organic potting soil. If you are planting from seed, fill pots to within 4 inches from the top. If you are planting seedlings, fill with soil so that the top of the plants' root system sits about 4 inches below the rim of the pot.
Growing Vegetables from Seed
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If you are planting from seed, order your seeds in late winter, or very early spring. You can purchase certified organic seeds from seed companies such as Seed Savers Exchange and Park Seed.
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Order leafy greens such as lettuce, chard and kale. Other small vegetables such as radishes and bush beans, as well as edible flowers, do well in pots and start easily from seed. Herbs such as basil, cilantro and parsley thrive in pots and also start easily from seed.
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Wait until danger of frost has passed to direct seed plants. Scatter seeds for greens or herbs over the soil. You can mix different greens, such as lettuce and chard, in one pot. Place bean seeds about 1 inch apart on soil in the planter. Cover seeds for greens and herbs with 1/2 inch of soil, and bean seeds with about 1 inch of soil. Gently press soil down over seeds.
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Water the seeds thoroughly, making sure to saturate the soil. Water daily until seedlings emerge. Then water when soil feels dry 1/2 inch under surface. You may need to continue to water daily, depending on the heat and rainfall in your area.
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Thin leafy plants until they are 6 to 8 inches apart. Enjoy the thinned greens raw or cooked--they are tender and sweet. Beans and edible flowers should be thinned to about 10 inches apart. You can also eat bean seedlings.
Growing Vegetables from Seedling
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Purchase organic seedlings from a reputable garden center or farmer's market after danger of frost has passed in spring. Tomatoes, peppers, bush cucumbers and eggplant are easier to grow from seedling, and grow well in containers. Fruits such as strawberries also thrive in containers.
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Plant the seedlings about 12 to 14 inches apart. Place herbs or edible flowers around edge of pot to make use of space. Fill with soil to top of roots. Press seedlings firmly down, and add more soil to even out surface, making sure roots are covered.
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Water the seedlings thoroughly each day, and twice a day during hot, dry weather. Keep the soil free of weeds.
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Place a stake in the tomato container about 6 inches from stem of plant, or place the container near a deck railing. Anchor tomato plant to stake or railing with twine as it grows.
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Tips & Warnings
Start with one or two containers until you get the hang of container gardening.
Be sure your soil, seeds and plants are certified organic.
