Growing
and tending a garden – it has always been very rewarding for me. I usually
grow flowers, specifically, hibiscus given I live in warm, tropical Florida. I enjoy
caring for them and watching the results. I few years back, my brother started a
vegetable container garden – in Brooklyn, NY. He has a great apartment with his
own private rooftop space. He would post pictures on social media and I was
amazed. It got me interested in starting my own container garden and growing my
own food.
Containers
Your
plants do not mind which container they grow in. There are many choices on the
market – terracotta, ceramics, and even barrel containers. They come in neutral
colors to very eye-popping colors. Choose what works best for you. The only
criteria: it should have at least one hole at the base for the water to drain. A
larger container will allow you to grow a greater variety in one space, which
may save porch space (think of putting several herbs together in a pot versus
small, single pots) or something smaller for better manageability.
Soil
Depending
on your space and personality, the container is your choice. But choosing the
right soil is a key to success. Container plants need soil that allows the
roots to grow easily, fast draining, yet moisture retentive. Consider a good
organic potting soil with compost. Compost is a great nutrient base for your plants
to thrive. Part of the fun of container gardening is watching and taking care
of your plants. Watch the moisture level and know your plants – do your plants
need more water or do they like a drier environment?
Fertilize
I like a
good organic fertilizer. I live in a small townhome community and while fish
emulsion is great for plants, it may not be great for fostering good
relationships with neighbors due to the initial smell. I did find some odorless
lobster and kelp plant food from a company called Coast of Maine. It had good reviews
and I liked the sustainability of the company working with the lobster
industry. I used it according to the instructions and my plants have enjoyed it
very much!
Sunlight
My back porch
faces the West, which means it gets pretty warm and sunny back there in the
afternoon. In the hot months of July and August, I move tender plants under the
awning to avoid the intense heat. My hibiscus and palms, however, love it and
thrive. A little research on your plants and which direction your container
garden faces goes a long way.
Grow
Something You Enjoy Eating or Looking At
One of my
favorite things to make is salsa. Before I conquered growing tomatoes, I started
growing my own jalapeños. It is true what people say – when you grow it
yourself, it just tastes better. There is nothing better than making fresh salsa
and picking the jalapeños straight from the plant. Jalapeños were a great
starter plant for me and yielded a wonderful crop. This year, I decided to grow tomatillos and cherry tomatoes in addition to jalapeños and herbs. I even grow
catnip – I clip and dry the leaves, crush them up to really activate the oil, and
my cat loves it!
What do
you enjoy eating? Bell peppers? Cucumbers? Tomatoes? Maybe you enjoy flowers that
attract birds and butterflies, sunflowers or roses. Whatever you choose, when
the conditions are right, the possibilities are endless. Jump in and give it a
try!
