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Vegetable Gardens
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITYAGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
ByCharles W. Marr
Extension State Leader
Container gardens are an answer for persons withlimited garden space. Residents of apartments, condo-miniums, retirement homes or houses on small lots canstill enjoy gardening. Also, containers are mobile, allow-ing a gardener to take the plants along or move them foran instant splash of color. You can enjoy your plants morefully by locating them on patios, balconies or windowboxes. Older gardeners can plant and tend to containerswhen standard gardening may be too strenuous. And,what better way is there for children to study the miracleof plant growth?
Container gardening, however, is not without itsproblems, especially in Kansas. A plant growing in anexposed location will be under more stress, and will needmore regular watering. The effects of hot, dry winds maybe more severe than in conventional gardens. Largecontainers can be expensive and difficult to move whenfilled with potting mix. But, the advantages far outweighthe problems, so let’s get started growing—containerstyle.
Soil MixesSoil is not always best for container gardening. When
ordinary soil is saturated with water, the air spaces arefilled, removing essential air from the roots. This is why asoil substitute, often called potting mix, is recommended.The mix may contain some soil (called soil mix) or no soilat all (a soilless mix). Additional ingredients such as peatmoss, vermiculite and perlite allow rapid drainage butstill hold sufficient water for plant growth.
You can purchase potting mix from nursery or gardenstores under a variety of trade names: Jiffy Mix, Pro Mix,Metro Mix, Pro Soil and others. If you have only a fewcontainers you may want to take them to your localgreenhouse and have them filled with their greenhousepotting mix (for a fee).
You can also make your own potting soil. Remember tokeep it simple; you don’t need a different mix for eachtype of plant. One common formula mixes one part sandyloam soil, one part sphagnum peat moss and one partperlite or builder’s sand. There are many variations of thisbasic recipe. Any mix containing soil has not been pas-teurized to kill weeds or disease organisms, so use thesemixes for established plants. Potting mixes should be freeof disease organisms, insects or weeds.
Consult references in your local library or K-StateResearch and Extension office for additional informationon container gardening, including recipes for mixing largequantities of potting mix from a variety of ingredients.
ContainersContainers come in a variety of styles and sizes. Of
course, you can recycle old buckets, cans and similarcontainers. The only essential thing is that the containerhas holes in the bottom for draining excess water.
Plastic. Plastic containers are available in a variety ofsizes, shapes and styles. Some plastics are breakable andmay not hold up well for several seasons’s use; others aremore durable.
Clay. This old favorite is preferred by many gardenersfor the earth tone color it provides. Clay is porous andwater is lost from the sides of the container. Clay pots arebreakable and may not hold up well if mobility is re-quired.
Wood. Wood is a popular material for containers.Redwood or cedar is relatively rot resistant and can beused without staining or painting. Exterior grade ply-wood and other types of wood can also be used. Avoidusing wood treated with creosote, penta or other phenoliccompounds, since vapors can injure some plants. Alwaysuse copper-treated lumber if preservative-treated lumberis needed. Wooden containers are excellent for portabilityand can be purchased or built in a wide variety of sizes,
KSU HORTICULTURE REPORT
CONTAINER GARDENING
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shapes and styles. Several container garden referencesoffer plans for building attractive containers.
How big should the container be? This question canbest be answered by considering the type of plants youplan to grow. There is a balance between the top growthand root systems of plants. Small plants can be grown infairly small, shallow containers while larger plants need alarger container. Plants in “stressful” locations such as ahot patio exposed to the west or southwest winds, or inelevated locations, may need a slightly larger containerthan ones less exposed.
Most annual flowers and small vegetables will grow incontainers from 6-inch pots to gallon-size containers.Larger vegetables, such as dwarf tomatoes, peppers orcucumbers will require 1- to 3-gallon containers. Full-sizetomatoes and roses will require at least a 3-gallon container.
FertilizerSince potting mixes drain water rapidly, causing
fertilizer to be washed out of the containers as you water,you will need to replace lost fertilizer. Lighter mixes willrequire more frequent fertilizing than heavier mixescontaining soil. Remember, you are growing a plant witha small, constricted root system, so regular fertilizing andwatering is important.
Many gardeners prefer to apply a dilute fertilizersolution at every other watering. There are several water-soluble fertilizer materials available at your garden supplydealer, including Rapid Gro, Hyponex, Miracle Grow andother products. If you fertilize at every other watering, useonly one fourth the recommended rate unless the instruc-tions state directions for continuous feeding for containergardening.
Controlled release or time release fertilizers are alsobecoming widely available. These are pellets designed torelease fertilizer gradually over a long period of time. Usethese according to directions on the package label.
WateringSince containers are usually situated in an exposed
location, water is quickly lost from the containers. Also,smaller containers have less of a reservoir for holdingwater until needed. There is no rule of thumb on howoften to water since it will vary with type of plant, pottingmix, weather conditions and type of pot used.
You may find that daily watering is needed during hot,dry periods. One advantage of using potting mix is that itis nearly impossible to over water since the water quicklydrains out of the container. Check your plants regularlyand look for signs of wilting to indicate a need for water.Another method is to stick your finger into the upper inchor so of the potting mix to feel for dryness. Always applysufficient water to allow a small amount to come out ofthe bottom drain hole. This indicates the container isthoroughly saturated with water.
Potting mixes can be easily washed out of the con-tainer, so never water with a direct stream of water from a
hose. Always use a “breaker” nozzle to break up thestream of water or a sprinkling can to apply water. Asprinkling can is handy for applying fertilizer as youwater.
Since containers must be watered regularly, you willneed to arrange for plant care when you vacation. Group-ing plants together will reduce their water use. Someingenious gardeners have developed a “trickle” device bypunching a small hole in a large container that serves as awater reservoir (Figure 1). The water can then be chan-neled to one or more containers. The most reliable methodof plant watering while you are away, however, is toarrange for someone to care for your plants. They canwater plants as well as check for problems that maydevelop.
Culture and CarePlants need care and attention throughout the season.
Insects and disease can be a problem because plants aregrowing under more stress and with limited root systems.Control measures will be similar to those used in conven-tional gardening. Refer to K-State Research and Extensionpublications for ways of dealing with garden pest problems.
What to GrowFlowers. Many annual flowers can be grown in
containers, especially those that tolerate heat stress.Especially popular are the many types of marigolds,geraniums and periwinkle (vinca). Impatiens will produceflowers in shady locations as will ageratum, begonias andnicotiana.
Vegetables. In recent years, there has been an empha-sis on developing varieties suitable for container gardens.Vegetables require sunny locations and will vary in theirproductivity depending on the type of crop. Check seedcatalogs for new varieties developed for this purpose.
Figure 1.
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Annual Flowers Suitable for Container Gardening
AlyssumCarpet of SnowRoyal CarpetRosie O’Day
Begonia: Wax LeafGlamourWhite ChristmasOthello
BrowalliaBlue Bells (Improved)
ColeusRed MonarchFashion ParadeMagic Lace
CupheaFirefly
GeraniumsNumerous varieties available with
red, white, pink, salmon, coral andbicolor flowers.
ImpatiensTangeglowElfin HybridsImp HybridsBlitz
LantanaYellow compactaWhite compacta
LobeliaBlue CascadeSapphire
MarigoldsDwarf FrenchPantherQueen SophiaBoy Series
Periwinkle (Vinca rosea)Little Bright EyesLittle BlancheLittle Pinkie
NasturtiumGleam Series
PansiesMammoth Giants
PetuniasCascade HybridsComancheBernese Hybrids
SalviaCarabiniere HybridsSaint John’s FireVictoria
SanvitaliaGold Braid
SnapdragonsFloral Carpet
ThunbergiaSusie Mix
ToreniaMixed colors
VerbenaAmethystBlazeSparkle Mixed Colors
ZinniasButton SeriesChippendale
There are also several types of “ornamental” vegetablesadapted for growing in containers. Flowering cabbageand flowering kale are attractive relatives of the standardvarieties. Lettuce is available in a variety of colors and leaftextures. Red chard is another popular container plantbecause of its bright red stalks.
Herbs. Many gardeners like herbs growing near thekitchen where they are handy to use in cooking. Basil,
chives, marjoram and thyme are all easy to grow incontainers. Many gardeners keep mint in containers sinceit is an aggressive plant that spreads over the garden.Some herbs are perennial and can be moved indoors forwinter use or held in the container until next year. Manygardeners dig a hole in the garden to store pots of peren-nial herbs until the next season.
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Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. Noendorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
This and other publications from Kansas State University are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu
Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, creditCharles W. Marr, Container Gardening, Kansas State University, May 1998.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
EP-31 May 1998
It is the policy of Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have equalopportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and materials without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex,age, or disability. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity organization. These materials may be available in alternative formats. Issued infurtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils,Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating. Marc A. Johnson, Director.
File code: Horticulture and Landscaping—5
Vegetables: Dwarf Varieties for Container Gardening
Beets (cool season)Detroit Dark RedEarly Wonder
Cabbage (cool season)Dwarf ModernLittle Leaguer
Carrot (cool season)Baby Finger NantesGoldenhartLittle FingerShort ’n SweetRoyal Chantenay or Red Cored
ChantenayTiny Sweet
Cucumber (warm season)Bush WhopperSpacemasterPatio PikPotluckSaltyBush Champion
Eggplant (warm season)Morden MidgetMission Bell(standard varieties can be grown in
larger 1–3 gallon containers as well)
Lettuce (cool season)LeafGrand RapidsOakleaf (heat tolerant)Salad BowlRuby (red)
ButterheadTom ThumbBibbButtercrunchDark Green Boston
Muskmelon (warm season)BushWhopperMinnesota MidgetSweet ’n Early
Onions (cool & warm season)Use any standard variety of sets or
plants. Best grown for green onions.
Peppers (warm season)Most varieties do well in larger
(1–3 gallon) size containers. Sweet,banana or hot peppers can all besuccessfully grown in containers.
Radish (cool season)CherrybelleChampionWhite Icicle
Squash (warm season)Baby CrookneckCreamyGolden NuggetGold RushVarious zucchini hybrids
Tomatoes (warm season)DwarfPatio (dwarf)Pixie (dwarf)Sweet 100Tiny Tim (dwarf)Small Fry (larger vine)Tumblin’ Tom (baskets)
Small-VinedCelebrityCarnivalMt. SpringMt. FreshMercedDaybreakSunmaster
Watermelon (warm season)KengardenSugar Bush