Growing vegetables in containers is a very rewarding and easy experience for any gardener. Almost any vegetable can be grown in a container provided there is:

• enough space

• good drainage

• support

• fertilizer

• the right compost

• and adequate watering

The idea of growing in containers also involves growing in pots, troughs or growing bags. If you like to garden without digging soil and weeding, growing a container vegetable garden can be a worthwhile task.

And…

Better yet, it’s effectively quick and easy. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of vegetables that are ideal for patios which makes it good because you have some options.

Nice Decorative Vegetables for Container Gardening

Growing tomatoes in containers is a good choice as tomatoes grow very well in them. The cherry-sized tomato varieties are exceptional to look at when in full bloom as they are just naturally decorative.

Some other good choices are...

• A Ruby Chard plant with some bright red stalks and leaf veins.

• Some runner bean plants with colorful flowers

• Carrots with feathery leaves

• And Red veined leaves of beetroot

When growing vegetables in containers, pots or growing bags, it’s best to avoid really bulky plants such as Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and Kale for example. There are some nice salad crops that are very suitable for growing bags such as lettuce, radish and onions.

I like the lettuce the most for growing bags. My favorite varieties are the ‘Salad Bowl’ and the loose leafy ones such as the ‘Rossimo.’

Once you can get your hands on a pot, trough or tub that’s deeper than 8 inches (20cm) you’re good to go. However, the new trend or style in growing vegetables in containers is the use of growing bags.

A growing bag can hold up to 12 plants.

Container Gardening Ideas for Growing Vegetables in Containers

When using heavy containers, ensure that you position it in a spot that you’re comfortable with. You want to be able to add your compost and plants without straining your back or causing any backache.

As the container is filled with moist soil and plants, it will be heavier than before so it’s important to place it in a spot that’s safe and comfortable for you.

Keeping pests away- To keep slugs and unwanted creatures away, cover the drainage holes with some fine strong mesh. It’s best to do this before you add the drainage stones to the bottom of the container.

This also helps with keeping creatures like woodlice away as well.

Keeping your drainage holes open- there are tons of different materials that can be used for drainage as broken terra-cotta pots are not the only ones you can use.

Broken household china or some big stones and rocks are some good options. It’s important to position them without blocking the holes. If you would like to lessen the weight of the container, use some crunched up polystyrene plant trays or packaging material.

This is to create a light-weight drainage layer. It’s very important to properly dispose of it immediately when you empty the pot. Polystyrene is not biodegradable and cannot be left lying around in the garden as it’s hazardous to wildlife.

Water your empty pots- The unglazed terra-cotta pots tend to absorb a lot of water when new. This is one of the main reasons why the plants suffer from drought at an early stage. You can thoroughly water the empty pot a good number of times before adding any soil.

Once the pot is wet you shouldn’t experiencing any problems.

Avoid filling your vegetable containers to the top- When filling your pot, leave about 1 inch (3cm) in space at the top in order to avoid any overflow when watering.

Growing vegetables in containers can be very convenient especially if space is limited. Once you take good care of your vegetable plants and containers you’ll definitely be in the right direction towards a successful container garden.