Growing fruits and vegetables in pots/containers are becoming more popular with home gardeners. This method of growing crops in a limited space is cost effective and requires less work than the conventional method of gardening. Pots planted with a variety of plants add an attractive appearance to your yard while providing a healthy crop for you and your household to enjoy. Imagine the pleasures you get from watching what you plant grow and then come into fulfillment.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE POTS FOR GROWING CROPS?
You should know that crops grown in containers/pots are more restricted than those grown in the soil. Therefore, it is essential that you make use of good quality compost that retains water. Drainage is also very important, so you will need to create plenty of drainage holes in your pot. Covering the bottom with broken shards of pots will ensure proper drainage.
Now we have prepared our pots, you only need to start with one or two plants. Let us consider the top 10 crops that will grow well in pots.
- Zucchini
This plant will thrive productively in pots. It is particularly a very productive summer plant that is low on calories and high in potassium manganese and other essential nutrients.
- Beans
Beans is another top crops that thrives and flourishes in pots. Mind you, the variety of beans you are planting will determine the supporting structure. for pole beans, you will need some sort of supporting structure as they are climbing plants. Beans of any variety can be grown in small space pots because they are one of the most productive plants in the garden, i.e. they produce maximum return on your planting space. Throughout the summer, it is advisable to make several successive planting, each around three weeks apart.
- Capsicums – Bell Peppers
Bell peppers can also be successfully grown in pots. In frost free areas, these plants act as perennials.
- Radishes
Radishes are a great source of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and folic acid. They take just 4-5 weeks to fully develop and are one of the easiest veggies to grow, making them an ideal plant for beginners. Radishes thrive best in a damp and colder climate. They require minimal efforts in maintenance, meaning you don’t have to stress yourself a lot.
- Chillies
They are easy to grow in a pot and are very productive as well.
- Lettuce
Lettuce is a common plant for container gardening. The loose leaf variety e.g. Oak leaf or Buttercrunch, which can be harvested on a regular basis, is even more popular. Lettuce grows best in cool spring temperatures, so planting it early in the year is a great idea. Young plants are available in nurseries for the first 30 – 35 days before the average last frost date. They should be planted in a pot when they are about 6 to 8 inches deep. Since lettuce doesn’t require a lot of space, they can be planted in any shaped pot. After transplanting lettuce, make sure you set the pots in an area that is partly shaded where they will receive part sun throughout the day.
- Carrots
There are many varieties to choose from. Marion or Resistafly are the two most recommended varieties of carrot to be planted in a pot. Resistafly, as the name suggests, has good resistance to carrot fly. Marion has very tender roots and is suitable for all year round growing. Mind you, all other varieties can be successfully grown in garden planters.
Another benefit of planting carrots in a pot/container is that carrots can be easily distorted by large clumps of soil or even stones when grown in the ground. This can act as obstructions for the plant. In addition, carrots are prone to attack by carrot fly, but using a pot of about 2 feet above ground level will help terminate their existence since carrot fly can’t travel up to such 2 feet high.
- Onions
Growing onions from seed may take a long time. It is best for you to grow small bulbs or onion sets as they grow easily especially with the soil is filled with compost. Onions are very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. They also add a decent touch of flavor to salads and sauces.
- Tomatoes
Amongst the most popular plants grown in a home vegetable garden, tomato is up there. Like other plants, there are a lot of varieties to choose from, depending on where you intend planting them. They are very rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, niacin, Vitamins A, C, and E, and other antioxidants. Tomatoes are not difficult to grown. Since they love heat and sufficient moisture, they should be planted where the sun shines brightest.
- Herbs
Herbs do well in pots because it restricts their growth. They should be placed close to the kitchen door for easy access when you are cooking. The aroma from basil and curry can be very helpful when cooking your chicken.
BENEFITS OF POT GARDENING
Pots/containers can easily be moved around the garden. This is essential when you want them to be exposed to maximum sunlight or when they need protection from heavy downpour. They can be moved closer to the kitchen for easy access, the sitting room for beautification and so on.
Different varieties can be grown together as well. They create some very attractive settings when vegetables are mixed with beautiful flowers. Let’s say you combine marigolds and salad leaves, imagine the beauty it’ll add to your space.
Pot gardening is a great way to get your kids involved in growing plants. They get to learn about how plants grow from seedlings to the point of maturity. This gives them the basic understanding of how to grow crops and also how the ecosystem works naturally. No one knows where this knowledge will take them to in the nearest future. It is also a great time to relate to your kids as well.
