Vegetable Gardening

[mercurial]

I used to keep a vegetable garden but over the course of a couple of moves I stopped and never got started back again. It's been almost 10 years since then and I thought I might try to get something going again. My backyard is a bit too shady but I think my back deck should be just right so I'm planning on just planting some containers and seeing how things go. Any suggestions or things to watch out for going that route?

I'm planning to use plants and not trying to start anything from seed this year. Looks like our average last frost is the end of April but it seems like I used to start earlier than that. What time to most folks in Zone 7 start?

So far as what I was thinking about planting:

-Tomatoes (a regular and a plum variety most likely)
-Peppers (bell, mild, and hot)
-Eggplant
-Cucumbers (trellised)
-Perhaps an assortment of herbs.

I'd like to to summer squash and zucchini but I'm not sure if you can trellis them or manage them in containers. Anyone tried that and have success? I used to just let them spread.

Any suggestions of other veggies that would do well in containers that I'm overlooking?

[Twink]

When we took the "Behind the Seeds" tour at Epcot, they even grew watermelons and pumpkins on trellises. I don't see why you couldn't do squash and zuchini that way.

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by Twinkerbell

When we took the "Behind the Seeds" tour at Epcot, they even grew watermelons and pumpkins on trellises. I don't see why you couldn't do squash and zuchini that way.

True, but possible and "something I'd want to try" may not be one in the same... Still, the cost giving it a go isn't that high.

[Faerie]

This is the blog of a friend of mine... http://desertcontainergardening.blogspot.com/

They're in Las Vegas - so a very different climate, but they do a lot of container gardening in their tiny backyard. And they have been very successful! The posts have slowed down recently as he's working on his dissertation, but the older posts should have lots of good information.

[mercurial]

Thanks!

[keirgrey]

Make sure you plant lots of catnip in your herbs.

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by keirgrey

Make sure you plant lots of catnip in your herbs.

You do know that catnip is in the mint family and that, for some cats, mint has the same effect?

[jami]

Originally Posted by keirgrey

Make sure you plant lots of catnip in your herbs.

Why? I would think you'd only do that if you want cats laying in your pots.


I grow herbs, but this year I'd like to try a few veggies, too.

[jami]

Originally Posted by mercurial

You do know that catnip is in the mint family and that, for some cats, mint has the same effect?

And all mints grow like weeds - keep them in a container to keep them from spreading too far.

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by jami

And all mints grow like weeds - keep them in a container to keep them from spreading too far.

That's because most herbs ARE weeds... You should see my neighbor who has have their front lawn take over by run-away rosemary. And also the reason I can never tell the herb from the weed... the main point that keeps me from growing my own...

[jami]

I don't understand the problem with runaway herbs.

Mine grew well here the first year I was in IL. Last year, not many of them took off. I had about 20 different herbs in containers and some just never grew. I think because I started them in those little dirt pods. I didn't the year before and everything flourished.

[keirgrey]

Originally Posted by jami

Why? I would think you'd only do that if you want cats laying in your pots.


I grow herbs, but this year I'd like to try a few veggies, too.

I was giving merc patently bad advice.

[mercurial]

Well, yes, but I figured I just go Cliff Claven on you...

[timesamillion]

get a few earthboxes

you'll get amazing results.

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by tem

get a few earthboxes

you'll get amazing results.

For the amount they cost, I should! Since part of this is to save a few $$ on produce, I think I'll stick with what I have. Maybe invest in some landscaping fabric to "cover" them.

[Makita]

Originally Posted by mercurial

For the amount they cost, I should! Since part of this is to save a few $$ on produce, I think I'll stick with what I have. Maybe invest in some landscaping fabric to "cover" them.

If you have access (or friends who do) @ hospitals, get used Oxygen Tents for the 'maters. My dad would bring a few home to put over our 1/2 barrels they grew them in. Kept many a Tomato alive and well in the late summer / early fall.

[gregor]

I'd love to grow stuff on my deck, but the fscking squirrels get into everything. The only thing they don't eat are hot peppers.

I'd have to come up with some sort of cage to keep the little bastiges out.

[keirgrey]

Originally Posted by mercurial

Well, yes, but I figured I just go Cliff Claven on you...

You know, merc, even if the moose could speak, it couldn't say "Constitutional". It's mouth is shaped wrong.

[JustAllie]

So would a bunch of chicken wire suffice to keep bunnies and squirrels out of a vegetable garden?

[MarkofT]

Merc, try these out and let us know how they do.

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by gregor

I'd love to grow stuff on my deck, but the fscking squirrels get into everything. The only thing they don't eat are hot peppers.

I'd have to come up with some sort of cage to keep the little bastiges out.

Mixing cayenne pepper in your bird seed is supposed to keep them out of your feeders, thought I might try putting some in the soil and sprinkling the plants and see if it works.

Originally Posted by MarkofT

Merc, try these out and let us know how they do.

I've considered that. My FIL apparently knows another professor in agriculture who is a big hydroponics guy. He was suggesting that his friend would be happy to help setup a high-density hydroponic system of some sort. I declined. I don't think I'm quite ready for that type of commitment..

[luckydriver]

Is there any way to grow yellow and red peppers inside?

[Faerie]

Originally Posted by MarkofT

Merc, try these out and let us know how they do.

The friend of mine who does the blog I linked above tried the hanging planters without much success. I keep meaning to ask him what type he tried and what went wrong.

[robin]

You can definitely trellis zucchini and squash! I do that even though I have a regular garden. It takes up less space, makes them easier to harvest, helps prevent disease (since the plant gets more air) and looks cool.

You can trellis watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin, too. Smaller varieties are better, but the stem will grow thicker to support the weight of the fruit.

Check out Square Foot Gardening

Personally I don't have a lot of luck with containers, but I'm bad about watering. I trend more toward "throw it in the ground and it better grow deep routes because if it wants water it's gonna need to find it itself." (I do not recommend this approach. )

I do know they'll need frequent watering and fertilizing since they have limited reserves to draw on. The bigger the container the better--it won't dry out as fast.

You can start tomatoes (and other things) earlier with Wall-o-Waters. Containers are a mixed blessing when it comes to starting early. They're good in that you can whisk things inside for the odd cold night or two but they're bad in that they'll get cold faster and won't hold the day's heat as well.

And mostly, have fun! I love vegetable gardening but am more enthusiastic than skilled.

[Makita]

/subscribe

Have an 8x8 or so section ready for once the snow is gone and Was thinking about digging up a section in back to plant sweet corn, Taters and such.

Going to grow Japs and herbs in 1/2 barrels again up front.