container gardening??

[hrdlckwmn]

I'm new to the practice of container gardening. Can I turn a container into a mini composter?

Since I'm in Ohio, I need to wait a lil while before putting things in the ground but can I go ahead and start seeds indoors??

My plan is to do some limited veggies and flowers for my front yard.

Also, has anyone had any experience with the topsy turvy tomato thing that's advertised on tv??

Thanks,
donna

[lboe3]

hi, the topsy turvy tomato thing didn't work for me i tried it twice, if your out in the open & have a lot of wind, they break off, good luck

[saving-n-va]

I'm attempting my very first garden ever and its going to be a container garden since we are renting. I just started some seeds last week and most have sprouted already. I'm trying carrots, lettuce and spinach for cool weather, tomatoes, green peppers, and ??? for summer. And herbs.

[WillaD]

string beans do real well in containers,someone made a post last yr
that you can plant the beans 1" apart,i used a white 5gal bucket to
plant my string beans in and i put a tomatoe cage in there for them
to run up on,this yr i am going to plant cucumbers in 5gal buckets,
someone posted that they do very well too,i may use a stick or tomatoe
cage for them to run up on

edited to add==
i planted tomatoes in 5gal containers and they did great too

[mommas2moody]

string beans do real well in containers,someone made a post last yr
that you can plant the beans 1" apart,i used a white 5gal bucket to
plant my string beans in and i put a tomatoe cage in there for them
to run up on,this yr i am going to plant cucumbers in 5gal buckets,
someone posted that they do very well too,i may use a stick or tomatoe
cage for them to run up on

edited to add==
i planted tomatoes in 5gal containers and they did great too

Where do you live?
I did cucumbers in buckets and they did terrible! They would bloom but never produce any strong fruit. The cucumbers would get to be about 2" long and then seem to just die.
Tried tomatoes several times and they never would produce either.

This year I am trying out a garden box. It's 6'x6' but doesn't seem big enough. Anyway, we live on a hill and have to have a way to level a garden, so this is my first attempt. This box is made out of treated lumber so I had to line it with plastic. Holes have been put into the bottom along with some gravel for drainage. Wish me luck!

I will try to remember to update on the progress.

Oh and I have tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers in it this year.

[WillaD]

i live in Tn.,what kind of soil are you using,i use garden soil,also
someone posted to but banana peels in the soil,so i cut up the
peel in small pieces and buried them a few inches from the plant,
another suggestion someone made was to put used coffee grinds
in the soil,so i did that to,my veggies did very well last yr,i had
string beans for dinner yesterday from my garden and they were
delish

[cmricha2]

I am attempting to grow:

strawberries
zucchini
lettuce
carrots
cucumber
green peppers
jalapenos

in containers right now. I want to plant some beans too. I have been waiting until it was a bit warmer to plant them (plus figure out what to plant them in). The green peppers and 2 peppers that are about 3 inches in diameter right now with more blooms and the strawberries are slowly coming in. I grew jalapenos last year in a container and it worked great. More than I could use though.

My husband is referring to the veggies & flowers as my jungle.

[janastanley]

If you are planting in containers, be sure to mix a really good soil in the containers. Potting soil won't have the nutrients your veggies will need.

If you are using a container for a composter, be sure its big enough and that you stir it up alot. Compost needs to breathe and if its stuck in a plastic bin without airflow, it might not do as well or it might smell bad. At our house we have a home-made compost pile made from chicken wire and tall garden stakes. Its about 3x4 and fills up fast. We have tons of veggie scraps and plant material to go in it. I need to start a new pile so that the one we have can compost and we can use it in the garden.

[Sherry3388]

Where do you live?
I did cucumbers in buckets and they did terrible! They would bloom but never produce any strong fruit. The cucumbers would get to be about 2" long and then seem to just die.
Tried tomatoes several times and they never would produce either.

This year I am trying out a garden box. It's 6'x6' but doesn't seem big enough. Anyway, we live on a hill and have to have a way to level a garden, so this is my first attempt. This box is made out of treated lumber so I had to line it with plastic. Holes have been put into the bottom along with some gravel for drainage. Wish me luck!

I will try to remember to update on the progress.

Oh and I have tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers in it this year.

First of all.. good luck with your graden box outcome! I hope it's coming along nicely!

About your cukes...
I'm wondering.. what variety of cukes did you try to grow?
There are specific varieties that are more successful for "container gardening" versus regular outdoor gardening...
EX: Salad Bush or Spacemaster
*Some seed packets make mention about it's success or lack of.. in reference to container gardening.. so be sure to read packets when purchasing! :)

Did you offer your cukes enough sun? They do require considerable sun, so place containers in a south-facing location if possible. (Cukes thrive best when, during germination-to-fruit, the temps are 75*-80*)

A five-gallon container is ideal, but even a two-gallon pot will do if fertilized regularly. Plastic containers are better than clay pots.. cuz they retain moisture best. BUT - either/or... you need to make sure there is a fair amount of drainage.. yet.. making sure the soil never goes completely dry...
I recommend using Miracle Gro Moisture Control Gel... (water storing crystals)... it can truly mean the difference between short & stubby cukes and long & chubby cukes.

Don't give up! Try again! The satisfaction of growing great veggies is worth the effort!!

Huggzz & Happy Gardening!!
Sherry

[ScrappyDoo]

Anyone know what veggies I can grow in July? The only thing I managed to get planted (in containers) in May was a tomato plant and 2 herbs. I want more though. I am hoping to grow my own veggies like the pros (those peeps who never have to go to the store for produce) do :-)