Just about anything that will hold potting soil and has good drainage can be used as a planter.   If you are on a tight budget, look around your house for items that can be used such as buckets, large food cans, pails, plastic storage boxes or dishpans, or even a discarded child’s wagon.  Garage sales are great for finding inexpensive containers.

The most common types of planters are:

    * Unglazed terracotta, or clay, pots.  These are somewhat heavy and are porous.  Great for air circulation.  They dry out quicker and may need more frequent watering.

   * Glazed terracotta.  Glazed on the outside which seals the clay making it less porous. Many come in beautiful colors and designs, and are more expensive.

   * Plastic.  Inexpensive, lightweight and somewhat unbreakable, but usually unattractive.

   * High Tech Plastics such as polyester or foam resin, polyethylene, fiberglass or high density polyurethane.  Very durable and lightweight.  Somewhat expensive but can be gorgeous.

   * Wood.  Beautiful, but heavy.  May eventually rot from damp soil unless you use redwood or cedar.  You could also apply a sealer to the inside and outside surface of other woods.

   * Paper Pulp.  Made from paper pulp and looks like thick, bumpy cardboard.  Lightweight and very inexpensive but does not last very long.

     * Wire.  Usually used for hanging baskets – they need to be lined with something to keep the soil from dribbling through the wire.

It is a good idea to clean your pots after every growing season – especially clay ones – in warm water and bleach.

Next time I would like to tell you about some new and unusual containers.

“til then -

Barb

Vegetables are only as nutritious as the soil they are grown in.  Actually “soil” is  a misnomer as there is little or no soil in the potting mixes sold in your local garden center.  You should NEVER use dirt from your yard in containers no matter how enriched or balanced it may be.  It will be too heavy and dense because as you water, the soil will compact more and more and the roots of your plants would not get enough oxygen  for optimum growth or be able to take up fertilizer, or, horrors, could lead to rot!

Potting soils (or mixes) should be lightweight and contain at least a good mix of peat moss or humus, (to hold in moisture) vermiculite or perlite.  If you decide to mix your own and use perlite, be very careful as perlite is dusty and should not be inhaled nor would you want to get it in your eyes.  It is really much easier to buy the potting soil from a garden center!

Depending upon which vegetables you plan to grow, you can add other nutrients to the soil that you buy.  A lot of gardeners swear by the addition of worm castings.

til later

Barb

If you are lucky enough to live in the Portland, OR area and have a sunny spot in your yard but are unable to garden yourself (for whatever reason) you may be interested in http://www.yourbackyardfarmer.com.  This is a service started by two women who will plant an organic garden for you, tend it and harvest it – for a price of course!  I also understand that a similar service is available in San Francisco, CA, however their website is not up yet, but I believe the website URL is http://www.myfarmsf.com

Also, both Oprah and Dr. Oz had a program this week on the importance of sustainable agriculture and eating locally.  Did any of you see either of these shows?  It seems that this “movement” is going mainstream, which is good for all of us!

Later,

Barb

Five Reasons to Vegetable Garden Indoors:

1.  No sunny spaces.  Possibly your yard is too shady, or you live in an apartment or townhouse that does not have a sunny balcony, window, deck or patio.
2. No time.  Your work/school schedule does not leave you enough time to tend to an outdoor garden with all the tilling, planting, fertilizing, weeding, insect controlling and watering it requires.
3. Climate.  You live in an area that is too hot, too cold, too rainy or too dry.
4. Too much wildlife.  You live in an area with wildlife that enjoys the benefits of your labor while you are left with nothing but empty stalks, vines and stems.
5. Disability/Age.  You are unable to bend, stoop, squat or kneel due to physical disabilities or age.

Can you think of any other reasons?  Would love to hear your comments!

Regards

Barb

Small Farmer’s Markets have been popping up in cities and towns, and many cities have encouraged “community gardening” by promoting the use of abandoned vacant lots for gardens.

In my local community there are about 5 or 6 of these Farmer’s  Markets – many of whom offer organically grown produce and meat.  Most of the 4 and 5 star restaurants in the area buy from these markets so that their patrons can enjoy the benefits of  ”eating local”.

But, for those of us who are unable to plant a garden, what to do?  I believe a partial  answer lies in Indoor Vegetable Gardening!

’til later

Barb