What grows well in containers??

[Susie]

Hi - looking for ideas for what to grown in containers - what grows well and are there things to avoid?? Have thought about carrots, lettuce and spring onions. Don't want to go and buy a load of seeds/plants and then have no success. Thanks.

[mclarke18]

I'm far from an expert...more of a have'ago type....

I can only grow in containers/pots (renting restrictions) so I have at the moment (timing is out, so I'm told) Cucumber, Sprouts, Carrots, Spring onion, tomato's and chillies all in various sized pots and they all seem to be doing well at the moment....

Just make sure the final pot is going to be big enough for what you are growing and that they may require feeding more often...

Forgot to mention - I also have, Rosemary, Sage, Parsely, Oregano, Marjoram, I have had some of them over a year now in pots outside...

[Adrien]

Susie, most vegetables that grow in a backyard garden will do well even in containers! Which veggies should you choose more depends on the place your are going to put the containers (is it sunny or shady?) and the time you have to take care of them. Just use big enoug containers (for carrots 8-12" deep, lettuce 8", onions 6"). All three require a consistant supply of water and are relativly easy to take care! Best of luck!

[mclarke18]

Instore (Poundstrechers) have some large trough planters roughly 10-12" deep, 30-35" long £3.99 ! I bought them actually for doing carrots, Adrien has confirmed I'm doing something right so far.....

[Adrien]

mclarke18, excellent size planters! Make sure that they has a drainage hole. Carrots do best in loose, sandy loam soil which is well drained and rich in organic matter. In heavy soils they mature slower.

[mclarke18]

Drainage holes sorted, the planters have inch sized grid type hole either side...but I drilled another dozen to be on the safe side.

I filled them with compost from a growbag, although I seived it first to get large lumps out as I read that large lumps and stones can cause deformed carrots, I did add some J. Arthur Bowers sand so help with drainage and lighten the compost....

Hope thats ok !

[Susie]

Thanks for advice. I have planted carrots, radishes, bush beans (or whatever they are called), spring onions, potatoes in potato sacks and chives. Greenhouse is up now so hope to do tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, peppers and the such like!!! Need all the luck in the world me thinks!!! - fingers a bit red and sore rather than green!!!

[mclarke18]

Sounds like your on the right track Susie....Sorry, I cant wish you all the luck in the world as i neeed as much as i can get for myself....but good luck anyway

[Susie]

Thanks for all the advice!! I'm sooo excited to see the results that I may or may not get!!! - have definitely got the gardening bug!!!! - going to try and get some of those planters that have been mentioned!!!

[ljmckeever1]

I've done cucumbers and courgettes too! They are just going in to 12'' pots and hopefully they will begin to flourish, from what I have read cucumbers are great for pots.

[Liam]

Hey Susie I'm experimenting with container growing this year (in a polytunnnel) and I'm getting some great results....the growing medium is important to begin with and of course you have to be careful with the watering but overall I find it's much easier than all that backbreaking digging and weeding...best of luck with it (just looking at the date you're probably well into it now)...happy gardening