Edibility

Last time we discussed factors to take into consideration when designing container gardens.

Although flowers, and regular plants work in containers, most people don't consider edible crops. Today we'll discuss fruits, vegetables and herbs that work well in container gardening.

Fruits

Citrus plants work well in container gardens. Oranges, lime, and lemon are common. The foliage is very attractive even in limited light, but the more light the better. Citrus plants bloom during long spring and summer seasons. They are very fragrant, and can be harvested in the late fall or winter.

Blueberries also work. They can tolerate extremely cold temperatures, but they require special "acid soil" and even better drainage than citrus. They bloom in the spring, bear fruit in early summer, and have attractive foliage.

Vegetables

Perhaps the most popular container vegetable is the Tomato. With tomatoes, the larger the container the better. This is necessary because, when watering, the water distributes better. During hot summers, water every day and fertilize with a soluble fertilizer every week. Tomatoes usually grow as vines, so use a wire mesh cage to keep the vine upright. Plant tomatoes in August for the fall and early April for the spring. Give them as much sunlight as possible.

Other vegetables that work in containers are peppers and eggplant. Treat these as careful as tomatoes for optimum bearing. Onions, leaf lettuce, and carrots work as well, and can tolerate more shade than the other plants.

Herbs

Common herbs grown in containers are thyme, rosemary, and mint. These plants are very fragrant, and release pleasing scents. They are a valuable addition to any container garden. Water them regulary, and give them enough sunlight. Fertilizer is not too important, but overfertilization can be a hazard. They can be grown year round, but be careful in extreme temperatures.


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