I’m trying really hard to check items off the 2011 Kitchen Mini-Challenges list. One of those things is to turn my brown thumb green. I asked someone who does container gardening in her driveway for some tips to get started. Here’s what she shared in her own words. Thanks, M!
- Definitely just purchase plants, starting seeds is very tricky to pull off because you need all sorts of contraptions to do it well — grow lights, warming mats, etc.
- I don’t like to get plants from a “store,” even if they’re cheaper, because they’re more likely to have bugs, diseases, and transplant shock even if they look good when you buy them.
- If I buy perennials I wait to get them until after Memorial Day because they are hugely discounted. A hydrangea that was $20 pre-Memorial Day will be $5 after, and last year there was a really good perennial selection right after.
- Annuals and vegetables are another story, I have found you need to get them by at least the weekend before Memorial Day, or they will be VERY picked over. Weekends get completely crazy, so try to go on a weeknight/day if possible.
- Containers are easy because if you plant early they are easy to cover if you get a late frost. I don’t like to plant ground plants until at the earliest the weekend before Memorial Day because its such a hassle to cover them.
- Lots of herbs are actually perennials meaning you can overwinter them and not have to buy new every year. Strawberries are like this. I just wheeled out last year’s strawberry container from my garage and there are new shoots coming up already. Some herbs are too, but I’m less sure which ones. My parsley and thyme from last year are sprouting, too.
- If you do container tomatoes, make sure you get fresh soil every year because tomatoes get blight super easy and you are almost assured to get it if you try to reuse the soil. Everything else you can reuse soil if you keep fertilizing it really well.
These were so helpful for me! Did you learn something new? Any other tips for the rookie gardeners that you’d care to add? :)
I’m planning on doing some container gardening – so if you don’t just put the seeds in the ground (good thing I read that LOL) than where do you buy your starter plants?
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Jackie, the writer suggests Countryside Greenhouse in Allendale as being inexpensive and having great quality. I have seen lots of coupons for Countryside in those coupon booklets that come in the mail, too!
I agree with this post. I have done everything from seeds, grafting, starting my own plants from cuttings, container gardens and still do. Container gardens can be somewhat difficult in maintaining the moisture content. The hotter it is the more you have to water, and in the hot days every day watering is required. I mix a lot of course vermiculite with compost (you can add a lot of other unnatural stuff to retain water but I like to keep green as much as I can) and this helps with the water evaporation. Tomatoes need potassium and compost gives a nice amount and make sure you stay away from a lot of nitrogen, this will cause lots of vine and very little fruit. Don’t forget to put grass clippings on top, some people don’t like the smell but it helps to keep the moisture in
Tomatoes will react to the water process and you will find hard shin to cracking all do to the watering. I can grow anything in containers because I have done it for years. The beginner I would suggest to get the special “Container variety” they sell now until you get the hang of container gardening.
If you use the same pots and dirt, I always take the top 6” off and add new compost and just like the traditional garden never plant the tomatoes in the same pot every year, rotate every other or like this post remove the dirt and I would add wash the pot in bleach water before you refill. This will also help prevent tomato worms.
I have a lot more stuff but this should be good for now. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Just my thoughts.
Wow, great tips! Thanks, Paul!
I really would like to do tomatoes to make salsa, but they sound rather tricky. I did see the “container variety” seeds. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to try that next year.
Try potatoes – real easy and you should start them now.
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You don’t have to post this but I have some potato growing tips on my web site. http://paulkuiper.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36:how-to-grow-potatoes&catid=7:the-garden&Itemid=23
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well, of course, you could take a class :-D Actually those are great tips!
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LOL! Thanks for the link to the Gardening Classes. That’s a great list. I’m just out of town for most of them. :(
Cutting lettuce is extremely easy to start from seed and will grow pretty much anywhere. I grow it in a shallow pot on my picnic table that is partial shade and inside at my front (south facing) window. My other favorite “easy” plant is chives and garlic chives. They are pretty, tasty and perennials. They will also self-sow, if given the chance. In fact, if you want a chives plant you are welcome to one of mine!
I have a partially shady spot in mind for some lettuce. Crossing my fingers! I would loooove a chives plant. :)
Jolon-
Countryside Greenhouse is a great place to go, I LOVE their stuff! Buy after Mothers Day and yes, after Memorial Day for the best deals. Another place to go (that has become my new favorite) is Potatoe Joe’s in Sparta!! The prices are awesome to say the least so definately stop in and check them out too!! My thumbs turn a little less brown every year, I am sure yours will too! We moved last September and I am having to start over pretty much from scratch at our new house :( I have a ton of work to do but am excited because I don’t feel so lost like I did with the first one. I don’t feel quite as intimidated either LOL :) Having your own garden is nice in so many ways. It is very rewarding, relaxing, and FUN… plus- like most other hobbies-you can only get better after you start!
Julie, that is too funny — we’ve gone to Potato Joes’ in Sparta periodically since I was a kid! I remember buying flats of flowers for my mom there when I was little. :) I’m glad you reminded me because I’m in the habit of going the other way when I head to GR. I’ll have to take a little detour and check it out this year.
Great post, Jolon. I may have you beat in the brown thumb competition, however. We are hoping to make another run at it this year. Hopefully we’ll get raised beds up and running.
Flowerland is a great resource for sorting out what to do. A bit pricey, but they really know how to help.
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I think everyone in West Michigan is in the mood for planting and growing because I went by Flowerland this morning and the parking lot was PACKED! I really don’t want to have a competition to see who can kills their veggie plants first… hahahaha!! :)