If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to cultivate fresh food that still doesn’t involve a large chunk of property, try planting a patio vegetable garden. All you have to get started today is a sunny place on a fairly even surface, some pots, soil, and pots with good drainage. You’ll find most of what you need already in your own backyard, including some pretty robust perennial vegetables like broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and zucchini. Other vegetables that are popular choices are cucumbers, carrots, squash, leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach, herbs, melons, and herbs and spices. Even herbs and spices don’t require the soil is watered often. And with some planning and know-how, your patio vegetable garden can provide healthy, tasty food all year long.
The first thing you have to decide is how many patio garden containers you’re going to need. For example, if you plant too many tall plants, they’ll all become overgrown and be a hassle to tend to. So, unless you have the time, I recommend only planting four or five plants each in individual pots. Keep in mind, though, that most patio vegetable garden containers come in different shapes, sizes, and depths. It’s a good idea to know how much room you have to work with before shopping.
After you’ve picked out a layout and decided how many containers you want, it’s time to get to work. The following instructions will help you follow a step-by-step procedure to planting your vegetable garden in the containers you chose. You’ll also get some idea about how to care for and harvest your crops. But first…
Preparing Your Vegetable Garden Container It’s best to start by preparing your planting area properly, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Clear away any debris from the area, as well as any weeds and grasses. When you’re sure everything is ready, you can begin preparing your selected plants for planting. Most gardening stores have prep areas for various vegetables, so visit your local gardening store and ask them which is best for your garden.
Prepare Your Vegetable Garden If your garden has already been sowed, you may skip this step. However, if you are planning to seed in your garden, you should still prepare the area. If you plan on using raised beds or containers as your growing medium, you should make sure they are completely dry before you start planting. You can use water-based garden fertilizer at a recommended density of two pounds per acre for healthy, fast growing vegetables.
Watering Your Vegetables Once you’ve planted your vegetable garden, you’ll need to concern yourself with watering your plants. Depending on the type of container your plants were in before you started growing them, you may find that watering them once a week really is sufficient. Others will enjoy more frequent watering. In either case, watering should occur about a half hour before the flower buds begin to open.
Growing Your Vegetables In The Full Sun When growing vegetables, it’s important to remember that they will need the full sun they enjoy in order to grow healthy. Patio food containers can offer you the convenience of choosing containers that will provide you with almost constant sun exposure. However, keep in mind that vegetables planted in containers will only thrive if they are constantly exposed to full sun. For this reason, you may want to place a table runner or umbrella in your patio food zone. This will allow you to enjoy a bit of shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Pest Control Many of us would like to forget about bugs when we are growing vegetables in pots. But, bugs can be an annoyance and can wreak havoc on your new patio vegetable garden. You will need to take steps to control the insects that will find their way into your home and onto your plants. There are some organic sprays available that are effective at controlling some pests.