Wondering if anyone has some good resources to share for container gardens? I live in an apartment with a south-facing deck - lots of sunlight! But don't really have access to greenspace.
I was thinking of starting some things in buckets.
Would love suggestions!
Some folks on the internet say to use very large containers, but some of my best broccoli last fall was grown in sinks I got at Construction Junction, which were relatively shallow. That might have been because I used 50 percent manure for those containers. I also used cabinets from Construction Junction, and those plasticky but puncturable recycling containers. With more durable plastic, I drilled holes for drainage (in the cabinets as well. I used bricks and pieces of wood to elevate the containers for better drainage, which the internet recommended. Also look into feed sacks (apparently free at some supermakets and cut down on weeds) and kiddie pools. Oh yeah, those cabinets will need two people to move when full of soil, and might be treated with formaldehyde which some think can affect your plants or you.
Good luck,
Nathan from Permaculture class
Hi, as a general rule a larger pot will be able to support a larger plant. If you want to grow something like tomatos which have a large root structure, you will need larger pots. I would suggest at least a 5 gal bucket or larger. They do grow tomatos in those upside down bags which are smaller than 5 gal, but there is no preasure on the root structure and no resistance in the growing soil. Herbs can be grown in some smaller pots. Hauling the soil up to your apartment will be alot of work, fill the pots with soil in place. My neighbor grew all of his tomatos in pots for several years befor he put in a raised bed. He had great tomatoes in the pots.. Good Luck.
i'd recommend trying out a few various sizes and species, and figuring out what works for you. growing from seeds is great for experimentation since they're cheap.
a friend of mine grew cherry tomatoes well on their deck last year. herbs are really easy to grow in pots. i grew basil well last year on my patio, and did cilantro fairly well the year before. parsley will grow okay, but it likes at least probably a couple gallons of soil to get much of a yield. the main thing I had problems with was that the soil got too hot in July / Aug and i needed to water them every day to keep them from burning.
Yeah, those hot weather veggies do great sitting out on the pavement with nice warm roots, but watering can be a little intensive. My friend had his whole veggie garden in a driveway and by the end of this past summer, quite a hot one at that, he was watering two or three times a day.
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