Is it possible to grow vegetables in a container?

There are several advantages to having a vegetable garden at home. Having vegetables, fruits and herbs close by allows the whole family to eat healthier. With the ever-increasing cost of groceries, growing your own vegetables is not only a healthy choice, but also an economical one.

It is not always easy to find the ideal space to plant a good size vegetable garden in the ground, whether it is for lack of space or lack of sunlight. Indeed, to develop to their full potential and produce abundant crops, vegetable plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. Even if the winning conditions for the vegetable garden in the ground are not met, there is no reason to do without the freshness of the food that grows at home. The solution: create your own container garden.

Many vegetables, herbs and even some berry bushes work very well in containers. Potted gardens have the advantage of being able to be set up almost anywhere, as long as the light is good. Planting in containers also makes it possible to move around the pots as needed. For instance, moving them into the shade while you’re away on vacation, or positioning them in different parts of your yard for ample sun is an advantage.

How to make a container garden

Planting your vegetable garden in a pot is quite simple. Just follow these few steps:

1.Choose a container

Choose a container of appropriate depth with a drainage hole. If the chosen pot does not have one, drill a hole in the bottom. Drainage holes are necessary to allow excess water to drain away and prevent root rot.

Choosing the right pot size:

15 to 22 cm (6 to 9 in.) for fast-growing species (lettuce, radishes, fine herbs, edible flowers)
40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 in.) for fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers)

2. Plantation

Pour 2.5 cm (1 in.) of Biosol Sea Compost into the pot. Roots will get a boost of energy in mid-season when they reach a good length. They will draw on the resources available in the compost to continue growing and producing abundantly.
Add a layer of Urban Garden Container Mix and place the plants, making sure that their collars are ½ inch from the edge. This potting soil is specially designed for growing vegetable plants in containers.
Fill the pot with the Urban Vegetable Garden Container Mix up to the collar of the plants and compact it lightly.
Add the Natural Fertilizer for Urban Gardens and water thoroughly until the water drains out of the drainage holes!

3. Maintenance

Fertilizing
Every 4 weeks, add Natural Fertilizer for Urban Gardens to promote a bountiful harvest throughout the season.
Watering
Potting soil dries out more quickly than in-ground soil. It is therefore important to water your container garden regularly, as soon as the plants show signs of thirst or the potting soil is dry. Preferably water in the morning, in depth, and avoid the foliage as much as possible: direct your spray towards the soil. If you are away for several days, water your plants generously and place them out of direct sunlight.
Weeds & Insects
Be sure to keep your pots clean by weeding regularly and removing dry leaves and vegetables that have fallen to the ground. Vegetable and herb plants can be host to some unwanted insects, so keep a close eye on your plants so that a small intruder doesn’t feed on your precious crops before you do!

Growing a vegetable garden in a pot is not rocket science. Just choose the right pot and plant the right varieties of vegetables for success. Your Garden Centre Advisors can advise you on the best vegetables, herbs and fruit bushes to plant in pots on your balcony or in the yard.

For even more tips and advice, visit our dedicated vegetable garden website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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How to create a potted vegetable garden

How to make a container garden

1.Choose a container

2. Plantation

3. Maintenance