In your first lesson in the 4 Step Food Garden program, you learned that location is the most important factor when planting a garden – container or inground. You should now know where your food garden will go, if you’ll need a longer garden hose to reach the area, approximately how large your container(s) should be and what shape is most efficient for your space.
It doesn’t take a lot of supplies to grow flavorful homegrown produce. A rectangular planter, a large bag of potting soil and a 6-pack of plants sent this small, inexpensive container garden into a bountiful season of countless bell peppers.
Photo Credit: Jenny Hooks
Depending on the plants you grow, your food garden may require a good support system.
Photo Credit: Ben Chevlen
Grow your own amazing, fresh salad mix instead wasting money on the mediocre bagged stuff that sits in the grocery store!
Like eggplant? Give it a whirl in your food garden. The plant grows well in containers and is an ornamental beauty.
Imagine what some fresh basil and other herbs can do to you your culinary creations – and how much money you’ll save by growing your own out on the deck or patio!
Photo Credit: Frank Tansey
This week, you need to plan your list of materials accordingly so you save time and money in the garden center – as well as when planting your garden. (Shopaholics be warned: The phrase “shop ’til you drop” does not apply here!)
Gardening is not an expensive hobby, but you will need a few items to get your container veggies growing in the right direction. The trick is not to go to the garden center unprepared. Make a list of what you need first, know what you’re looking for, and don’t buy anything other than what you require – no matter how cute or “helpful” a product may appear. (Remember, you’re trying to save money by growing your own produce. Don’t waste it on things you truly don’t need!)
So let’s determine what should go on your shopping list…
Need 1: Planter(s) made out of UV-resistant plastic.
A rectangular container that averages about 3 feet long by 12-16 inches wide and at least a foot deep can grow just about any moderately sized crop. One basic container this size will hold about 40-50 quarts of potting soil. A UV-resistant, plastic container is a good option because it’s lightweight and easy to manage.
Need 2: Enough potting soil to fill your planter(s).
Soil is a very important part of your garden. Try to find a reasonably priced bagged soil that’s well-fortified with nutrients. Miracle-Gro® is a no-fail choice because it’s free of excessive amounts of wood chips and contains high levels of nutrients. If you’re a strict organic gardener, other brands that don’t have fertilizer in the mix are a better choice for you (although Miracle-Gro has an organic mix as well). Based on the number and size of the containers you intend to use, calculate how many bags you’ll need to fill each planter. (You’ll need enough so that the surface of the soil sits at least 2 inches below the rim of your container.)
Need 3: Started plants.
For the best success with your first food garden, buy started plants to jump-start the season. (The bigger the plants, the sooner you get to eat!) What plants you pick are up to you, although some veggies grow better in containers than others. Peppers, eggplants and broccoli are good choices. Dwarf tomatoes bred especially for container growing let you grow more varieties in less space, and bush beans are smaller forms of your typical favorites and won’t need a trellis. Snow peas also offer dwarf forms, but you may need to provide a small trellis or balcony railing for the plants to climb on. Buy your veggies in quarts or 6-packs. Check plant labels or the Learn2Grow Plant Database for spacing recommendations to help you determine how many particular plants you can fit in each container.
Need 4: Seeds (for growing vegetables that quickly sprout).
While started plants are typically the way to go with your first garden, there are some plants that are quick to sprout from seed and are early to harvest because they don’t have to flower and set fruit to become edible (think lettuce). These might be good options for you, too. You’ll want to grow a lot of these plant types to yield a decent harvest, so it’s most economical to grow them from seed. In addition, these particular crops make some of the best choices for beginner gardeners because they produce over many months. The vast array of lettuce types are the primary seed-grown crop that every household needs, and kale or collards are vitamin-packed “pot greens” used in soups and stews. The thing to know about both groups is that they prefer cooler conditions, so they may go to seed with the heat of summer. (Once they go to seed, they’re done for the season.) Some gardeners grow a crop in spring, and a second one in fall. (Kale and its relatives actually taste sweeter after a frost.)
Need 5: Plant supports and ties (if necessary).
Vining vegetables (like cucumbers) and plants with heavy fruits (like tomatoes) typically need a good support system as they grow – namely a sturdy frame, stake, pole or trellis. Yes, you can use these in containers, but the type you need depends on your plant of choice, as well as the size of your container. You obviously don’t want a top-heavy support that can knock your planter over. You also don’t need one that will bend under the weight of the plant you’re trying to keep vertical. Tomato cages are sold in various sizes. If your planter is deep (at least 1 foot) and wide enough to accommodate a cage, that’s a good option. Some vining plants (like pole beans) can grow well with the support of a tall bamboo stake.
If your support of choice is a stake, you’ll eventually need to attach your plant to it as it grows, so don’t forget to also buy stretchy plant tape or ties. (Or you can save a little extra money and use bread bag ties or torn panty hose cut in strips instead.) If you’re unsure as to the type of reinforcement you may need for your plant of choice, ask a knowledgeable garden center staff member for suggestions – they’re there to help give you support.
Need 6: A garden hose and/or nozzle (if necessary).
As we learned in Lesson 1, having a reliable and easily accessible water source is a critical step in garden success. If you determined last week that you’ll need a longer garden hose (and/or a nozzle) to properly reach and water your food garden, add it to your shopping list.
So you now know what materials you’ll need to get your contained food garden growing…and you’ve just completed Lesson 2!
With your list (and wallet) in hand, you can now go to your garden center and buy only what you really need. See – you’re already saving money by growing your own produce, and you haven’t even planted your garden yet!
Next lesson – Planting once…and planting it right!
