Anyone want to talk gardening?

[Bernadine]

We're doing vegetables for the first time this year, possibly a container garden.  We have a lot of trees around the perimeter of our backyard, so the only space that's sunny is either smack-dab in the middle of the yard, or up against the house.  That's probably not a great idea, right?  Or would it be ok?

So we may do some container plants on the patio.  I'm thinking of starting with lettuce, tomatoes, maybe asparagus, and h wants onions.  Anyone have tips/suggestions for container gardens?

I'm also planning on some hydrangeas on the side of the house.  Does anyone know if they'll bloom the first year?

What are you all planning?

[tacokick]

Asparagus won't work in a container garden.

We have a very shady backyard and have had a lot of success with berry bushes if that is of interest. We have thornless blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.

[tacokick]

Hydrangeas can bloom the first year, we have some that bloom twice, once in the spring and then again in late summer/autumn.

[adhdfashion]

Container gardens tend to dry out more quickly and you have to carefully not to bake the roots. So full day sun might be to much for the containers. Strawberries and green beans will grow in containers farely well.

[dirtyred]

Ditto no asparagus in containers.

And I say no asparagus at all, unless you have lots of room and don't mind wild, unruly plants.  You shouldn't harvest asparagus for two years after planting so the plants can establish good roots,  and you'll need at least 10 plants to get enough harvest to have enough to serve.  Asparagus plants can grow to over 6 feet tall--so this is what you'd be looking at for after the 4-6 week harvest time.