GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

08-07-2006, 01:33 PM posted to rec.gardens.edible

wrote:
"cardarch" wrote:

Dear ME: Its rather late to start a vegatable garden. I suggest that
you go to your local nursery or garden store and see what they have to
offer in containers. If you'd like to slave away, you can dig up your
little plot and plant some string bean seeds. and some new zealand
spinach. and try some pumpkin seeds just for the heck of it. Why do
you want to go to so much trouble anyhow? XXO Doro

Yep I know its late now

Thinking of something for next year

Wanting to do it to save money and provide better
quality food. Kind of an experiment in "drop-out"
lifestyle.

I'm thinking containers are bets for me as I have no
way of plowing up a spot. Plus..... I live alone so
don't want too much produce....just to throw away.

Containers are a great way to start. One thing to remember is that you
have to use potting soil in the containers. Regular soil would be too
compact and would not hold a lot of water. I often cut the potting soil
with a shovel full or two of peat. I also add a handful of composted
manure and bone meal (depending on what you're planting).

I grow tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers and corn in
containers this year. Nothing would stop you from planting carrots,
onions, strawberries, even peas in a container. I use containers like 30
litre (5-6 gallon?) white buckets, the pots you get when you buy a tree
and cedar pots or half barrels you can buy at the store.

Your best bet is to buy a good gardening book that you can refer back to
when needed. One of my first was Lois Hole's Vegetable Favorites.

..

Zone 5a in Canada's Far East.