{"id":17103,"date":"2020-10-16T19:20:50","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T23:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crescentgarstg.wpengine.com\/?p=16988"},"modified":"2023-05-24T19:43:44","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T23:43:44","slug":"how-to-plant-vegetables-in-containers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentgarden.com\/blog\/how-to-plant-vegetables-in-containers\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Plant Vegetables In Containers"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Grow\u00a0<\/span><\/b>a Container Vegetable Garden\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you adore fresh veg<\/span>etables<\/span>\u2014but lack garden space? Do you dream of\u00a0<\/span>delicious bruschetta created from tasty, rich tomatoes and sweet basil<\/span>? If you love homegrown vegetables, herbs, and fruit<\/span>\u00a0but lack a garden plot<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>grow<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your favorite treats on a balcony, patio, or porch in containers<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0With a little planning, the right tools, and a few helpful tips,\u00a0<\/span>you can even grow your favorite food inside.\u00a0<\/span>We\u2019ll help you decide where to grow your container garden\u2014outside or indoors, whether to\u00a0<\/span>grow<\/span>\u00a0seeds or transplants, when to plant your vegetables,\u00a0<\/span>and how to care for your container garden so you\u2019ll harvest<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>delicious\u00a0<\/span>food for\u00a0<\/span>fabulous\u00a0<\/span>garden-to-table meals!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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First, Choose the Perfect Pot<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To grow a great container\u00a0<\/span>vegetable\u00a0<\/span>garden, select the perfect pot.\u00a0<\/span>Crescent Gardens<\/span><\/b>\u00a0offers a\u00a0<\/span>terrific<\/span>, diverse selection of stylish containers ideal for growing food<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Look for a container with drainage holes\u2014or\u00a0<\/span>choose one of our TruDrop self-watering systems for extra convenience<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Our\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Nest<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>planter<\/span>\u00a0with TruDrop works beautifully indoors or out, filling your balcony or basement with lush, lovely, edible plants!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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When selecting a container,\u00a0<\/span>bigger is better<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>particularly if you\u2019re growing tomatoes, as many varieties reach heights of six to seven feet!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Look for larger containers, like\u00a0<\/span>Dylan<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>Ellis<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0planters, that can support a trellis or stake for tall plants. For crops with shallow roots, like lettuce,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>Delano\u00a0<\/span><\/b>O<\/span><\/b>val\u00a0<\/span><\/b>B<\/span><\/b>owls<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0look lovely filled with pretty greens. If you\u00a0<\/span>adore<\/span>\u00a0carrots and beets, choose a deep container, like\u00a0<\/span>Mod<\/span><\/b><\/a>, to give root crops ample room to develop.\u00a0<\/span>You can even grow strawberries in hanging baskets, like our\u00a0<\/span>Emma Bowls<\/span><\/b><\/a>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Containers come in all sorts of colors and\u00a0<\/span>sizes<\/span>, letting you choose your favorite\u00a0<\/span>design<\/span>. However, if you live in the south with extremely hot summers, avoid heat-absorbing black containers. Instead, opt for\u00a0<\/span>lighter colors<\/span>\u00a0to help reflect heat so your plants\u2019 roots don\u2019t bake in too-hot soil.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you plan to move the container inside during the winter or want to change its location in your garden, consider placing the container on a\u00a0<\/span>plant caddy<\/span>. Once you fill a large container with soil, it\u2019s very heavy. A caddy gives you flexibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, Pick the Perfect Spot<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most fruits and vegetables need 6-8 hours of sun to produce well. If you plan to grow tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries, for instance, you\u2019ll want a location with full sun. However, if your balcony or porch offers more shade, don\u2019t worry\u2014many greens and herbs, like kale, Swiss chard, or\u00a0<\/span>parsley<\/span>, do well in partial sun.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, place the pot where you\u2019ll have easy access to it, both for watering and harvesting. It\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>terrific<\/span>\u00a0if you can quickly grab a few basil leaves when making\u00a0<\/span>Caprese salad<\/span> or snack on a strawberry as you walk out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Use Good Soil<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like any garden, container plants need good soil to produce great food. However, garden soil is too heavy for container growing. Plus, garden soil may harbor unwanted pests and diseases. Instead, choose a lightweight potting\u00a0<\/span>mix<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to fill your containers and give your plants the best start.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Make a List of What You Love to Eat.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you crave the sweet crunch of cucumbers? Are you part<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>rabbit, eating salad with every meal? To get started with your container vegetable garden, it\u2019s always best to grow what you love! Make a list of your favorite veggies, herbs, and fruit, then focus on those for your homegrown goodies<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Or, for a fun activity, give each member of your family a container, and let them grow what they like to eat! (<\/span>But<\/span>\u00a0remind the kids that M&Ms don\u2019t grow from seed!)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Grow Vegetable Plants Year Round<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While many new gardeners gravitate to warm-season vegetable plants, edible gardening can be a year-round activity<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0In fact, cool-season crops, like lettuce,\u00a0<\/span>radishes,\u00a0<\/span>kale, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and spinach, grow beautifully in spring and fall, extending your harvest season<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Some vegetables<\/span>, like arugula and kale,<\/span>\u00a0taste even sweeter when kissed by frost.<\/span>\u00a0When to plant vegetables depends on what you plan to grow. For\u00a0<\/span>warm-season crops<\/span><\/b>, like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and beans, for instance,\u00a0<\/span>wait until all danger of frost has passed<\/span><\/b>. These plants will not tolerate cold. However,\u00a0<\/span>brassicas<\/span><\/b>\u2014the family that includes kale,\u00a0<\/span>cabbage<\/span>, cauliflower, and broccoli\u2014grows beautifully in cool weather and can\u00a0<\/span>even<\/span>\u00a0tolerate frost<\/span><\/b>. Plant veggies like brassicas, peas, and arugula two weeks before your last frost date. Brassicas dislike heat and will bolt\u2014send up flowers\u2014once daylight lengthens, so grow these in the spring and fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Select Seeds or Vegetable Plants<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some vegetables grow easily from seed sown straight in the container\u2019s soil, while others require a bit more pampering\u2014particularly if you live in a climate with a long cold season. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and some herbs need to be started from seed inside six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. (You can find average first and last frost dates by entering your zip code\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.) If you have space inside to set up a seed growing station with lights and a heat mat, terrific\u2014otherwise, you may prefer to purchase plants from your favorite nursery or garden center. Make a list of plants to purchase and those to grow from seed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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For plants that are easy to grow from direct sowing, try:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cool Season Crops<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n