There is nothing more elegant, sophisticated or stylish that a well presented and designed lettuce container garden. While the garden itself does not necessarily have to be a mass produced mass produce the type of garden, the containers used in this type of gardening provide an extra touch of class that the home gardener may not be able to attain without some serious planning and thinking ahead. Container gardening is a method that is quite versatile for the home gardener and can be expanded and changed as your family grows and your tastes change. If you are at a loss about what container to use, here are some ideas:
* A popular choice for a lettuce container garden is the terracotta pot. These pots can be purchased in most hardware stores and come in many sizes to suit any need. They are quite durable and easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice for storing and displaying your prized vegetables. Be careful when you select a size though, because too small a pot will be too weak to hold the amount of water that your plants will need. Too large a container and it will be difficult to maneuver the plants around.
* Another great option is a square or hexagonal pot that allows you to plant all of your favorite lettuce varieties. These are available at most garden centers and are very easy to care for. The squares and hexagons typically hold six to twelve different leafy greens of varying heights. These pots also make a great planting and harvesting aid as the leaves will break off and collect in the harvesting basket once the plants have bloomed.
* A colander is a handy tool that can be used for a variety of things in a traditional home vegetable garden. It can be used to quickly remove excess soil from one area of your plants to the container below. This is a useful tool that is a necessity for any serious lettuce container garden. Also, a colander allows you to easily transfer water or any other liquid from one location to another. This eliminates the need for watering can or hose.
* Your standard kitchen strainer, also referred to as a strainer, is a basic gardening utensil designed to separate solids from liquids. These are usually small enough to be easily stored away when not in use and can be found in many different sizes to suit your specific needs. A strainer is essential to ensure that your vegetables receive an even distribution of nutrients. Your standard kitchen strainer will remove large particles from your vegetables, but it may not filter out large particulates of soil.
* Your standard gardenseed bag or seed packet will allow you to seed your plants at whatever stage of growth you choose. These packets come in a variety of strains and colors to best meet your planting needs. Many companies will ship these packets both in the regular seed form and in small plastic bags that are labeled with the time of each plant’s maturity. These packets make convenient and inexpensive way to introduce new seeds into your containers. You can then follow the instructions on how to germinate those seeds.
* Your standard garden fork or spade is a basic tool with which to harvest your hard frost tolerant seeds. These tools are designed to dig up and remove the tiny black or white roots from your plants. They are especially handy if you have young seedlings that you want to harvest for the winter. The hard frost period usually lasts from October through March, so keep this in mind when planning your spring planting schedule.
* No matter what type of container gardening system you choose, your most important resource for growing your plants will be the potting soil. Make sure that your potting soil is of premium quality. Many people opt for container mixes that are made with slow-release nutrients, such as manure and human feces. These types of mixes can be beneficial for your plants, provided they are used properly. To ensure that you are getting the best possible soil for your plants, do a little research before you commit to any purchase.