Some of you mentioned in the grocery thread that you garden.
We just moved, and there's already a little garden plot in our backyard. I'd like to plant some things. I'm thinking I should start small- tomatoes, zucchini, squash, lettuce. I think that's what we'd eat the most of. I could do some strawberries too (I know they don't produce the first year), and maybe a blueberry and/or blackberry bush.
I don't have any resources to share, but will say we tend to just plant what we eat. We always do regular tomatoes, cherry/grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and usually a couple of more things (peppers, radishes and onions are things we've done in the past).
We just moved last summer, so we have to start a new garden from scratch this year. We'll likely plant our usuals. I've had two houses where I had strawberries in the garden, and they did awesome, so we'll definitely be planting those again. We've actually had great luck with having strawberries right from the first year; I think the key is to designate enough space for them, as they'll spread out more and more each year (as much as you let them, really).
As far as tips, well, we always add some good soil and mulch (we actually usually do manure), and mix them together well. Add the plants once it's warm enough out, and water as needed (for us it's usually daily in the summertime).
I'm assuming you're planning to plant seedlings (vs. seeds)? The only thing I've done from seeds was I think radishes and carrots, and they turned out o.k., but we usually just get the small plants.
Hop over to H&G if you like, there are quite a few gardeners.
If you do strawberries, try to keep them in a contained area since they spread and send out runners. Your planting list sounds good. Take note, squash plants get HUGE and are susceptible to powdery mildew. We focus on heirloom tomatoes but also grow lots of herbs, peppers, tomatillos, and cut flowers.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Apr 6, 2017 9:22:45 GMT -5
I'd like to do some container gardening this year, any recommendations? Last year we tried strawberries, blueberries & watermelon in pots. The strawberries were mildly successful but the others were not. This year I want to do tomatoes, is there a certain variety I should get?
Depending on the size of your "small plot," that really sounds like a lot all at once. Personally I'd skip the bushes for now and see how a regular garden goes. You can plant the bushes elsewhere in your yard anyway. I'm a casual at-home gardener. Here's basically what we do in zone 5...could do much more if we wanted. I add some peat and composted manure to the soil. I BUY plants at the garden center for things like --tomatoes (just 3 plants take up a LOT of room so I wouldn't get more than 3...maybe just 2) --peppers --broccoli --Brussels sprouts --eggplants --strawberries
You can plant herbs in the ground or pots. I like basil & parsley & chives and would do cilantro if I liked it (all fine to plant in the ground if you want). Be careful with planting some in the ground, though, as they can be invasive. Thyme and oregano can spread like CRAZY. Also mint. I would never plant mint in the ground.
You can easily directly seed into the ground, even here in Wisconsin, for --green beans (these are kind of nice b/c they are pretty dependable and you can harvest over a longer period of time) --carrots --beets --radishes --if you are doing greens like lettuce or spinach
Plant LESS than you think and pay careful attention to recommended plant spacing. You will not believe how huge your plants get by the end of the year! I STILL overplant! Especially tomatoes can get just gigantic. Definitely put tomato cages around them right away even though it seems silly when they are tiny.
lettuce and many other greens are often cooler-season crops, that do well in spring/early summer or late summer/fall but not midsummer. You can look for specific varieties that do well in the heat if that's important.
We also had fun planting "cut and come again" zinnias from seed, but they also get HUGE and took up a lot of space. I plant marigolds (from seed or plants) around the edge of the garden, too.
AS PP noted, vine-y crops like squash, zucchini and melons will take up tons of room and are prone to powdery mildew. Every time we grow them, we have powdery mildew, but don't let that stop you! Just an FYI.
It's all very forgiving and a lot of fun. You can just experiment. Ask questions at your local garden center as needed.
Post by thatgirl2478 on Apr 6, 2017 9:30:02 GMT -5
If you only have a small plot, you probably shouldn't bother with strawberries, squash or Zuchs. They take up a lot of space and don't give you much (particularly the strawberries).
I would stick with DETERMINATE tomatoes (means they stay relatively small, not continuously growing), maybe red/yellow peppers etc in the ground. Sweet pea pods & green beans are great for small spaces because they grow UP not OUT but you'll need something for them to climb on.
I would plant lettuce & herbs in planter boxes and keep them near the house.
I'd like to do some container gardening this year, any recommendations? Last year we tried strawberries, blueberries & watermelon in pots. The strawberries were mildly successful but the others were not. This year I want to do tomatoes, is there a certain variety I should get?
Blueberries are a bush so not the kind of thing you'd expect to produce immediately. They do make smaller patio versions that do well in pots. I would probably try to find one of those and try again.
Watermelon is tough unless you get a VERY large container (5 gallons or more).
Tomatoes are great in containers, again, they work better in large containers. I have planted them in 5 gallon buckets and had great luck. You'll need a determinate tomato and a tomato cage and good potting soil (not garden soil, it's too heavy for plants in pots). Any type of tomato will work for you though - cherry, slicing, sauce, paste. Just depends on what you want to do with them. Save
Oh yeah, do bush beans, not pole beans, if you don't want to deal with more vines. It will say on the back on the seed packet what kind they are.
Anecdotal - I found that Japanese Beetles don't seem to like to eat bush beans but they LOVE pole beans. Bush Beans can also be grown in pots quite nicely . Save
cincodemayo, I have several Earthboxes. I've had success with Ichiban (Japanese) eggplant, zucchini, compact cucumbers, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, and tomatoes. I plant 2 tomato plants per box, usually one full size tomato and one grape/cherry variety. I usually mix and match the peppers in another box, and grow eggplant/zucchini in a third.
I have separate small planters on my deck for herbs, scallions, and lettuce.
I'd like to do some container gardening this year, any recommendations? Last year we tried strawberries, blueberries & watermelon in pots. The strawberries were mildly successful but the others were not. This year I want to do tomatoes, is there a certain variety I should get?
Blueberries are a bush so not the kind of thing you'd expect to produce immediately. They do make smaller patio versions that do well in pots. I would probably try to find one of those and try again.
Watermelon is tough unless you get a VERY large container (5 gallons or more).
Tomatoes are great in containers, again, they work better in large containers. I have planted them in 5 gallon buckets and had great luck. You'll need a determinate tomato and a tomato cage and good potting soil (not garden soil, it's too heavy for plants in pots). Any type of tomato will work for you though - cherry, slicing, sauce, paste. Just depends on what you want to do with them. Save
Thanks! We have these 16 inch pots. They seemed large when we purchased them but I'm not sure exactly how many gallons they are though.
The blueberry bush did produce, but then it died? The leaves/branches all looked burnt & fell off. The watermelon produced too but only one fruit. It was about the size of a large apple by the end of fall.
The tomatoes would be used on salads & sandwiches, which variety is best for that?
Re: green beans - I did bush beans the last couple years and they did AWESOME. I was thinking about trying pole beans this year so they take up less space, but the posts above are making me rethink that. Should I stick with bush beans? Anybody here do pole beans?
Blueberries are a bush so not the kind of thing you'd expect to produce immediately. They do make smaller patio versions that do well in pots. I would probably try to find one of those and try again.
Watermelon is tough unless you get a VERY large container (5 gallons or more).
Tomatoes are great in containers, again, they work better in large containers. I have planted them in 5 gallon buckets and had great luck. You'll need a determinate tomato and a tomato cage and good potting soil (not garden soil, it's too heavy for plants in pots). Any type of tomato will work for you though - cherry, slicing, sauce, paste. Just depends on what you want to do with them. Save
Thanks! We have these 16 inch pots. They seemed large when we purchased them but I'm not sure exactly how many gallons they are though.
The blueberry bush did produce, but then it died? The leaves/branches all looked burnt & fell off. The watermelon produced too but only one fruit. It was about the size of a large apple by the end of fall.
The tomatoes would be used on salads & sandwiches, which variety is best for that?
Tomatoes - I would probably go for a slicer. Big Boy is one that's pretty prevalent, but I also like Early Girl - not as large but have great flavor. Cherry tomatoes are also great for just eating outright. My kids think they are like candy! LOL I can't keep them from just eating the plant bare. Save
Re: green beans - I did bush beans the last couple years and they did AWESOME. I was thinking about trying pole beans this year so they take up less space, but the posts above are making me rethink that. Should I stick with bush beans? Anybody here do pole beans?
I've done pole beans. I'll probably do them again only because I didn't particularly care for the flavor of the bush beans when I planted them. Though, I do plant black beans and those are bush beans (they are super easy since you plant them and wait for the plant to die before you harvest them). Save
So I used to grow strawberries and it is so rough. Between bugs and animals and the fact that when they are ready they are ready and must be picked, they are incredibly high maintenance. I bought 3 plants initially and by the end of the third summer had about 40-50 plants that would produce probably 3 quarts of berries over the course of the summer, less than half of which were edible due to pests. We had a lot of luck with cherry tomatoes, French sorrel, and assorted herbs. I'm trying bush beans and a variety of lettuces this summer. Cucumbers are apparently super easy and prolific too. Good luck! I recommend reading up on what each plant likes and knowing the composition of your soil before you start. It will make things more successful.
I'd like to do some container gardening this year, any recommendations? Last year we tried strawberries, blueberries & watermelon in pots. The strawberries were mildly successful but the others were not. This year I want to do tomatoes, is there a certain variety I should get?
I have had more success with cherry tomatoes, than other varieties but honestly, in June, I just go to my local farmer's market and buy whatever veggie and tomato varieties plants they have available. One year, we did the seedlings for our tomatoes and it was such a PITA and I decided that the lazy way was better.
I'd like to do some container gardening this year, any recommendations? Last year we tried strawberries, blueberries & watermelon in pots. The strawberries were mildly successful but the others were not. This year I want to do tomatoes, is there a certain variety I should get?
I'm planning to do some container gardening this year. For tomatoes I'm going to do a cherry tomato in a hanging basket. I mostly eat cherry tomatoes anyway. I also plan to do a zucchini or two. I like the idea of a couple of bush beans.