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by: DaveTruman
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There are many advantages to growing vegetables in containers. It is easier to maintain the soil. There are also more possibilities for dealing with light and temperature variants. It is also easier to control pests. Container gardening can be done inside a house, on the porch, or in a greenhouse.

Other than vegetables that take up large amounts of space, such as pumpkins and cucumber, most vegetables will do well in containers. Peas, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes will do just as well, if not better, when grown in a container.

Be sure to select a container that is large enough to accommodate the full grown plant at harvesting time. Use weed free soil and add the right amount of fertilizer even before you plant. Synthetic soil-like media are an option. Mixtures of peat moss, perlite, wood chips and others can be a good choice for a variety of species.

Be sure to prepare the soil before planting, or use a synthetic medium. This makes water control easier. It is important to balance adequate drainage and good retention of moisture to keep container-grown plants healthy. Place some marbles at the bottom of the container to keep holes from clogging and to ensure proper drainage. Mix in commercial soil prep to break up clay particles.

Even when the soil or medium is well prepared, water with care. When containers are near a window, soil can easily dry out. It's easy to introduce root rot by over watering or to forget whether watering chores were completed, so keep a soil moisture tester nearby.

In most cases it is easier to buy professionally prepared soil for container gardening. Soil straight from the outdoors is usually not a good choice for growing in containers. Nature has a way of draining water from very clay-like outdoor soils. When used in a container, clay's water retention is exaggerated and can lead to root rot.

Most vegetables need plenty of sunlight. You can anticipate a great crop of tomatoes if you place them in a south-facing windowsill that receives several hours of sunlight each day. Tomato plants also thrive in the heat, so there's a low-risk of burning them. There are other vegetables, like lettuce, that prefer less direct sunlight. Place these in partial shade. When you are container gardening, it's easy to move your plants in varied weather.

Keep after insects in a container garden just as you would otherwise. If the plants sit outside in containers, pests have open access. But even indoors most small insects can readily find their way through screen mesh and small cracks in doors. Sometimes, if the eggs were laid in the soil before planting, larvae will develop even if your house is sealed tight. Insecticide soap and other commercial mixtures, when used correctly, are safe for the plants and you when you eat them.

Vegetable gardening in containers requires some effort. But the rewards are great. Having fresh vegetables on hand provides a tasty and healthy component to a good diet.

About the Author

Looking for gardening help to get your garden started right this year? Check out the Gardeners Atlas website to learn more about growing a successful garden.

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