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Trellis Training - What you need to know about Climbing Roses
Climbing Roses are a wonder of the rose world. Planting one can really spice up your rose garden or enhance the quaintness of your surroundings. You will be amazed at the vigorous, hungry growth of these powerful plants. They can be trained to climb on top...
Rambling Roses - How to Tame those Climbing Roses in your Garden
Climbing, or rambling roses are one of the popular types of roses that have many varieties to them and can be grown in many different places. However, like many other plants, they need help to stay healthy and maintained through the different seasons...
Some Thoughts On Planting Roses
Although all kinds of gardening is my passion in life, nothing
but nothing gives me greater pleasure than my beautiful rose
garden. They are just so stunning, and I do really love the
colors and the amazing varieties which are available.
To get the...
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Petal Power - Five Uses for Rose Petals
It might surprise you to find out that rose petals can be used for a variety of different purposes. Some uses have a common everyday application, such as beautifying our gardens and walkways, while other uses are more unusual, such as using them for therapy...
Good Things Come in Small Blooms - Miniature Roses for your Garden
Many people find great delight in growing miniature roses. This is because they make excellent additions to any garden. They are versatile and can be grown as bushes, as hybrids with climbing varieties, as edges and hedges, and even in containers....
Weed Control Facts: Winning the Battle of the Weeds
Keeping your landscape plantings, flower beds, and nursery crops free of weeds is a battle, but if you approach it with...
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The Container Vegetable Garden
If you live in an apartment or town home, you probably think you don’t have enough space to grow vegetables. Lack of space is no longer an excuse since many modern vegetable varieties are perfect for growing in containers on a sunny window ledge or patio.
You can grow salad vegetables and herbs in almost any sunny spot and enjoy fresh ingredients all year round. Snipping off a sprig of fresh herbs from the window ledge garden in the kitchen while you are cooking cannot be bettered.
Here are some tips for the perfect container vegetable garden.
Choice of container. The easiest choice is to go to your local garden center or home improvement store and pick any gardening container that takes your fancy. There’s a wide variety available in plastic, ceramic, wood or clay. Before you pull out your credit card though, take a look around your home and see whatever containers you have lying around. Almost anything that will hold soil can be used for growing, whether it is an old bucket, an empty margarine container or an empty coffee can.
Any container you use must have sufficient drainage holes in the bottom. Make additional holes in containers that do not drain quickly after watering. Waterlogged soil will lead to soil-borne diseases and stunted plants. Stand the containers in a tray if these are indoors.
Using regular soil is not advisable for container plants, since soil is likely to have plant disease organisms and weed seeds. Soil less potting mixes are lighter, less likely to compact and hold moisture and plant nutrients well. These potting mixes can be purchased from any garden center.
Choice of plants. Almost any herb is suitable for a container vegetable garden. Basil, thyme, mint, parsley, chives and oregano are all good
choices. Most salads can also be grown in containers. Consider lettuce, young salad carrots, radishes, and green onions, for smaller containers. Tomatoes, eggplant and peppers do well in a larger container on a sunny patio or balcony. Choose dwarf varieties where these are available.
Seeds can either be planted either directly into the container or started in a smaller pot and transplanted once large enough to handle. Always plant more seeds than you need in each container since there will seldom be 100% germination. During the winter, seeds can be encouraged to grow early when placed next to a water heater or other warm (not hot) place. Make sure that you move these to a sunny position as soon as they appear above the soil.
Ideally, containers should be placed where they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Plants that bear fruit, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants require the most sun. Many herbs and leafy vegetables will tolerate more shade. Plants growing in containers require frequent watering especially if outdoors. During the hot summer months many will require daily watering.
Plants will need fertilizer during the growing season. The easiest way to add fertilizer is to use a commercial mix such as Miracle-Gro. Follow the directions and do not over feed. Most potting soils will have sufficient nutrients for the first few weeks.
Harvest when the plants are mature but still young and tender. Small sprigs of most herbs can be clipped as needed and the plant will continue to grow.
About the Author
Vince Apps is the editor of a number of gardening sites including Manual of Gardening and Home Vegetable Gardening.
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