CONTAINING ENTHUSIASM
SMALL VARIETIES
Despite having a large garden, I have plenty of potted plants around the place including pots of vegetables. During summer, herbs — especially basil — in pots line the sunny back steps where they are handy to harvest and use in the kitchen.
With more and more people wanting to grow their own produce, I predict there’ll be a spike in vegie production in containers this spring and summer.
Where garden space is at a premium, pots are definitely the way to squeeze in more plants. Containers also make use of small but sunny spots and spaces protected from cold winds.
While most herbs are naturally at home in containers, vegies need a little more thought and planning. The key to success is to grow small or compact vegetables in as large a container as possible and limit the number of plants in each pot.
The recommended spacing for a vegetable is a good indicator of pot size. Most vegies are planted at least 20cm apart so these would need to grow in a pot with a 20cm diameter. While two such plants could be grown in a heavy-duty 40cm pot, a better option is to plant one large vegie surrounded by smaller plants such as soft-hearted lettuce.
Pot depth is also a consideration. Any vegie that has a large or deep root system such as carrot needs a container that’s at least 30cm deep. Competitive vegetable growers who try to grow record-breaking carrots, parsnip and leeks grow their crops in cylinders or even lengths of guttering to get the vertical space that’s needed.
Small vegies that are closely planted such as radish or spring onions do well in troughs or even in recycled foam boxes. Rectangular troughs also fit well in narrow spaces.
As well as matching the plant to its pot, it is important to fill the pot with good-quality potting mix formulated for vegies. Make sure there are drainage holes in the container and fill it to within a few centimetres of the top (just leave a few centimetres for watering).
Vegies in containers need to be kept well watered as containers are often quick to dry out, which puts the vegetable under stress.
Adding a layer of organic mulch to the top of each container can also reduce water stress.
Even though vegies are in containers they are still vulnerable to pest problems. Watch for the usual pests and particularly snails, slugs and caterpillars. Snails and slugs find homes in and around pots by hiding under the container, in the drainage hole or under the pot rim.
Hunting down compact vegetable varieties has become a lot easier in recent years with many more choices in seed packets and punnets. To meet the increase in demand for smaller plants for high-density living, plant breeders have developed compact vegetables as well as dwarf varieties of fruiting plants.
Good plant choices to get started are herbs such as chives and basil, while cascading herbs such as thyme trail over the edges of containers.
Also well worth growing are patio tomatoes, baby carrots, radishes, soft-hearted lettuces, silver beet and bush beans (to grow through summer). Potatoes can also be grown in large pots or in grow bags.
Climbing plants are good value in containers but need a tripod of stakes or a climbing frame for support.
Give cucumbers and snow peas a try. Plant just one cucumber per 40cm pot or several snow peas, placing the seeds at the base of each stake.