Yahoo Finance How to Start a Simple Container Garden
As someone who has wandered around in gardens since I was old enough to crawl and get my diaper muddy, I deeply appreciate the aesthetic beauty and productive bounty of a garden.
Unfortunately, as someone who lived in a tiny apartment for many years, I also know how difficult it can be to grow your own fresh produce in a constrained space. Apartment living often does not offer any avenue for garden space, leaving many people who might otherwise love using their green thumb to instead rely on produce from the store or farmers market.
During my years living in an apartment, though, I found a compromise solution that worked well and only required a small initial investment and a packet or two of seeds every few months. It's called a container garden, and here's how it works.
Step 1. To get started, all you need is a large pot. Almost any kind will do, though you may become more particular once you get started. This container needs a few small holes near the bottom to drain out excess water, or else the plants will die. You'll want to place it on the balcony of your apartment or in another area where a bit of drainage won't be a big deal. I recommend putting a large plate under the pot to collect any excess water that flows out of the holes.
Step 2. You'll need two main things in your pot: a layer of rocks (ordinary gravel is fine) about an inch deep, followed by soil. You can use ordinary potting soil, which works great but can be expensive if you're filling a large container. Another approach is to use dirt found elsewhere (say, dirt excavated from a construction project), supplemented with a bit of potting soil.
Step 3. From there, it's easy: Plant seeds, water consistently (do it daily, or use water bulbs if you can't do it every day), pull any weeds that sprout and occasionally fertilize the container.
One easy way to fertilize is to keep a small compost bucket nearby. Any small lidded bucket with a few holes in the top will work. Fill it up with lawn scraps and vegetables (the ends of carrots, potato peels and even coffee grounds work well), and then allow it to slowly turn into compost, keeping it moist. About once a week, you'll want to use a spoon or a hand shovel to turn over the compost -- basically just mixing it -- and add a bit of water if it's dry. When the contents of the bucket are consistently dark brown or black, mushy and smell a bit sweet, it's perfect -- just add it to the soil in your main pot and start anew with your compost bucket.
Many different kinds of plants work well in a container garden. You can grow flowers, herbs and vegetables of all kinds, which could ultimately help you save money on produce. If you're looking for some suggestions for plants to start with, here are a few:
Tomatoes will grow wonderfully during any warm months, provided you keep them adequately watered. They really do need their water to grow into fleshy fruits. If you keep them moist, a single plant in a large container can produce several pounds of tomatoes after just a few months. They mostly just need warmth, water and some sunlight. For your first attempt, I recommend buying a pre-started plant from a greenhouse.
Zucchini might be even easier than tomatoes, as even a beginner can grow them successfully from seeds. The key is to remember to water them daily -- and even twice a day if your environment is dry.
Strawberries tend to grow well in a container garden, though they will often turn into a large bush that sprouts beyond the top of the container. Strawberries will wilt quickly if you don't keep them watered, though. (Notice a theme with the watering?)
Basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and chives are all very easy to grow in a container garden. All these plants keep growing throughout the warm season, meaning that all you have to do is keep them watered. Then whenever you need fresh herbs for your dishes, you can literally just step out on the balcony and cut what you need on a summer or early autumn day.
Carrots, turnips and potatoes can be successful in deep container gardens. You'll want a large container that has at least 18 inches of soil depth for these plants, and they're very hands-off aside from the watering.
I've had success with all of these plants -- and many more -- in a container garden. There are many books and resources on container gardens if you want to learn more. I suggest visiting your local library and picking up a copy of "The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible" by Edward Smith to get started.
Have fun gardening this spring and summer!
Trent Hamm is the founder of the personal finance website TheSimpleDollar.com, which provides consumers with resources and tools to make informed financial decisions.
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