A Container Vegetable Garden you can Grow
Let’s grow a container vegetable garden on a budget. This container garden can fit on a patio, porch or balcony. Enjoy delicious vegetables without a lot of fuss.
Would you like to grow a container vegetable garden? Plant up this budget and beginner-friendly container so you can enjoy fresh vegetables to make a salad or include in fresh recipes right out your door.
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Don’t have a container handy? You can easily build one. Try your hand at these cheap & easy Fence board planters or a DIY planter box or crate I used as an herb garden.
Container Vegetable Garden
If you don’t want to build one then you can use a container similar to this one I am holding here.
I could not find the same windowboxes but I do see similar ones available from time to time in big box stores or garden centers.
For more vegetable gardening tips and instructions just visit this page for all the options available. I am always adding more so be sure and check back often or sign up for my newsletter.
Easy to grow vegetables for containers
Today we are going to grow some things that are super easy for the beginner gardener. There is nothing like success to spur you on to try more things.
This container garden will have Breakfast Radishes, Bunching onions aka Scallions and some delicious Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce. (links for these specific ones are below.)
Radish or this one Radish (they are the same just different companies)
Scallions or this one Scallions
Lettuce or try this one, Baby Lettuce it is great for containers
Potting Soil for vegetables in containers
A regular potting soil is just fine for this project. Many times I use my DIY potting soil but since I am out I used one the local garden center carries. I do add a bit of worm castings to enrich it. (usually available at your local garden centers)
Fill the container nearly to the top with the potting soil. I do not pre-moisten the mix, it is harder to handle and there is no need unless it is dry and powdery. (a good potting soil will be moist in the bag)
Prep soil for seeds
Using your finger or a tool (like this Sharpie) create a small trough in the soil from one end of the window box to the other. Not more than a quarter of an inch deep.
With the soil being so dark it was hard to get a photo of it, but you may be able to make out the trough in this photo. It is near the bottom side of the container. It is the darker line.
Sow the Veggie Seeds
Read the directions on package and follow them for each vegetable seed. In the video linked below I explain why I seeded the Radishes a bit more thickly than the others.
Firm the soil over the seeds with something that has a flat bottom. I am using this glass votive holder. I need to make myself a seed press but in the meantime this will do the job.
Label your vegetable containers
Make sure to create a label for your containers if you sow more than one. I will do more window boxes and have a tendency to lose track of what I planted where.
A recycled one works just fine. I recycle everything I can.
Pop it into a corner of your window box or planter and give it a gentle water. Using a tepid water helps germination. Ice cold water cools the soil and can delay germination.
I keep a few 1 gallon milk or water jugs in my greenhouse filled with water and they warm up as the sun heats the air. This is not a must but just a helpful hint.
All of these vegetables are cool weather tolerant and will do fine planted in Spring.
Set the window box on a sunny balcony, deck rail, patio or porch. If you expect a lot of rain put it under a covered porch or something that will prevent heavy rain from water logging the container or washing away the seeds.
Once the temperatures rise above 80 degrees you may need provide some shade in the afternoons for your container.
I will be sure to update you on the progress of these containers as the season goes on. Fill out the form if you want to be notified of the latest from Flower Patch!
Full video
until next time….Happy Gardening!
Thanks for the great idea. This was like a duh moment when I thought, why haven’t I tried this before?