A VEGETABLE GARDEN IN A POT

GARDENING

by VECA, August, 08 2016

Have you ever considered growing a small vegetable garden on your balcony? A potted garden is a perfect idea to boost your terraces and fill them with colours and scents. But where do we start? Here are a few tips to create a perfect and efficient potted plants garden!

The first step to begin growing a vegetable garden in pots is to assess the space available on your balcony. Do not limit your thinking to ground pots: you might as well use hanging pots or choose a vertical garden, with pots on a ladder. Another element that needs careful consideration before you buy the soil is the exposure to light on your balcony: plants require sunlight for about six hours a day and little wind.

At this point, make a list of tools that you can use: scissors, gloves to protect your hands, watering can, gardening scoop, transplanter and 4 teeth rake.

It is crucial to choose the right pots: terracotta pots are not suitable due to their weight, while plastic flower pots, much lighter, can be purchased in bright colourful versions to decorate your terrace in the summer. The size of the container depends on what you want to grow: for example, rectangular low pots are ideal for lettuce while deeper vessels are perfect for tomatoes; finally, medium-sized pots are good to plant aromatic herbs. Get yourself some saucers to avoid flooding underlying terraces, as well as some expanded clay which will prevent water stagnation at the bottom of the vase.

Now, you need to purchase the soil: we recommend universal soil but to add a master’s touch you can mix it with sand to help soil drainage. It is important to remember that, as well as watering your vegetable garden, you may want to keep if fertilized to maintain the earth nutrients intact. The best manures for a vegetable garden in pots are slow-release fertilizers.

And here we are, ready to buy seeds or sprouts: in the first case you will have to set up a sprouter or container in which the seeds will sprout, otherwise you can just transplant them into pots and water them.

August is the perfect month to begin creating a vegetable garden in pots since many plants need to be planted in this period: but which plants are really suitable for a vegetable garden in pots?

Herbs are, of course, at the top of the list of plants that can enrich your vegetable garden in pots: thyme and rosemary are among the most resistant, basil requires more attention and, above all, more water.

Use a pot to cultivate some tender leaf salad and see for yourself the great results you get: it grows quickly and will produce tender fresh leaves for your salads all summer long! We also recommend to plant cherry tomatoes: they take up little space and climb vertically on a stick you can plant in the vase. Their vibrant colours will boost your terrace.

Courgettes in pots are perfect to decorate your terrace with their superb ornamental yellow flowers: use a pot for every single plant, you won’t produce a huge quantity but the terrace will be filled with colours.

On the balcony, don’t forget strawberries: you only need one pot to grow three plants that need just to be watered regularly and you will get great satisfaction from eating your freshly picked strawberries.

Another great plant for a potted garden is chilli pepper: place it in a sunny corner and remember to water it. You can season your dishes with a touch of spiciness!

Finally, to make your garden unique and original, add a small plant producing edible flowers: the Dwarf Nasturtium grows very well next to other vegetables and you can always use it to flavour your salads and meals.

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