container gardening advice please?

**mama2James** · 04-30-2010, 06:36 AM

I'm planning to make my first foray into gardening this year, unless you count the previous owner's chives and rhubarb that come up all by themselves behind the garage lol

I'm pretty sure I want to do tomatoes and cucumbers. We love 'em both. We are in Maine, and there is definitely still frost danger. I'm planning to start from plants that I will get from a local farmer, and I'm thinking I'll use 5 gallon buckets?

I need any advice you can give, nothing is too elementary. I only know they need water and sunlight, and I'm pretty clueless beyond that. How much yield is typical per plant, where and when should I place them on the deck, how much water to give etc?

I know you all will be able to help me, you rock!!

**lwlynch** · 04-30-2010, 08:02 AM

i will be watching this thread, i am getting ready to do the same thing and you posted exactly what i was asking..lol..

**Russ** · 04-30-2010, 08:11 AM

I don't do container gardening so my knowledge is limited.

Do not let the containers dry out. Very easily done during a hot spell so inspect daily.

Use quality soil, not clay from your back yard.

When you water, add fertilizer on occasion because IMO as you water, and that water comes out the bottom, it has a lot of good nutrients in it that are just being washed away.

**craftypam** · 04-30-2010, 08:12 AM

My sister did container gardening last year and her plants did very well. Do not put too many plants into 1 container. Make sure you have good drainage. Tomatoes and cucumbers both LOVE warm weather. Either start tomatoes by seed now in the house or buy transplants when all danger of frost is gone. Usually 3rd or 4th week here in MI is when we put them out. Sow cucumber seeds directly outside; they do not seem to transplant well for me. And make sure they get watered everyday. It is also not good to water at night so they don't sit in water. This has been my experience in gardening.

**freebs** · 04-30-2010, 08:38 AM

I do container gardening. I found that you need to use a VERY GOOD quality soil. I found a place that sells a really good compost. I use straight compost in mine, I start cucumbers from seed in the compost, but i start out with plants on all other things. I dont water everyday as the containers i use are large and dont dry out in a day. Good luck!

**mama2James** · 04-30-2010, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

When you water, add fertilizer on occasion because IMO as you water, and that water comes out the bottom, it has a lot of good nutrients in it that are just being washed away.

Anyone know what kinds of fertilizer can be used when gardening organically? I haven't started composting yet, so I don't have that...

**Russ** · 04-30-2010, 09:14 AM

You can buy it at Lowes or any home or garden store. Just be sure to keep an eye on the NPK numbers.

**mama2James** · 04-30-2010, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

You can buy it at Lowes or any home or garden store. Just be sure to keep an eye on the NPK numbers.

I know NPK is nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium right? How do I know how much of each I want?

**Russ** · 04-30-2010, 09:25 AM

I usually use and equal blend fertilizer 12-12-12.

If you're really into throwing fertilizer at certain plants, research what each plants needs are.

**Grainlady** · 04-30-2010, 10:40 AM

It does take a little planning, good soil (I prefer Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Soil) which will help maintain moisture, and the proper kind, AND amount of nutrients. I like to add compost or compost tea to containers.

Have you checked your local library for books on the subject? That would be a good place to start.

Check with your local nursery or County Extension Horticulture Agent for planting/harvesting times for your local. We're well into our cool-season crops (leaf lettuce, kale, spinach) and have been harvesting for a few weeks now.

"Containers" can be almost anything - pots, planters, old buckets, baskets, hanging baskets, window boxes, etc. There is a variety of "growbags" you can use. You can lay bags of potting soil on your patio, cut the plastic open, and plant directly in the bag (How to Make Instant No-dig Garden Beds).

I have potatoes growing in bags and will be able to get both a spring and fall crop. I like growing tomatoes in bags and had great success with that last summer (my first year for them), and also have had great success with container tomatoes.

You might be able to adapt a small area to gutter gardening:
Gutter Gardens Grow Produce Without Taking Up Space - Food - Lifehacker

I personally wouldn't hang gutters on the siding of a building because of watering. Ours are built on a pair of stringers for steps, and we can knock it down for easy storage.

Just a few ideas for you...

**Missy** · 04-30-2010, 05:50 PM

MY best piece of advice is to pay attention to sunlight needs. Don't put a shade plant with a sun plant. One or the other will not get their requirements. You'll scorch one or deprive the other.

Also, take all advice (even mine) with a grain of salt. 99% of it will work out beautiful, but because of each individual area certain techniques and tips might not work out, even with the best of intentions.

Most of all, have fun with it.