How to grow vegetables in containers

Planting in containers has its challenges. In this post, how to grow vegetables in containers, I will share five great tips that have helped us get better results.

Creating our own urban garden in a small space was a project we wanted to work on for a long time. To make this possible, we grew our vegetables and flowers in containers. Here are some great tips that have helped us get a better result in our urban gardening.

1. Transfering indoor plants to outdoor after winter

Part of our learning from last year’s planting (in this weather condition) was how the cold temperatures impacted our plants when we started taking them outside. Plants that grow indoors are used to a warm temperature and protected from hard weather conditions.

If you live in a four-season zone like us and the weather just started to warm up, ensure that the temperature doesn’t drop to a freezing point at night before taking them outside. It is better to transfer your plants outdoor progressively.

2. Plant Cages

When planting vegetables in containers, we need to consider the plants that grow tall. These plants need a solid structure to support their growth and hold their fruits or vegetables.

Last year we took some fallen tree branches to create a teepee structure for these plants, but… it also brought unwanted bugs and broke easily.

Then we bought a small structure, but it didn’t work either for the tall plants. Also, those structures are fixed, so when we tried to take them off the plant to add something taller, it harmed the plant in the process.

This year I found a Plant Cage Structure with everything we were looking for. So far, it’s working well.

• You can add the structure without interfering with the plant.
• You can add more levels to the structure as the plant grows.
• Easy storage.
• It doesn’t need any tools to assemble.
• It’s sturdy.

3. Containers

Your containers can make a difference in the way you water your plants. The most common ones are plastic, fabric, and terracotta.

We have all three of them, so we can tell you the pros and cons and what has worked better for us.

Plastic Plant Containers

Pros

• Since it is not made with a porous material, it retains more moisture than terracotta.
• It comes in a variety of colors and designs.
• Not easy to break.
• Resist Winter weather.
• Easy to clean before reusing.

Cons

• Since they are light, they are more likely to tip over.
• It is made of plastic.

Terracotta Plant Containers

Pros

• The porous material from the terracotta allows the humidity and air to go through the vase, creating more airflow to the roots.
• They are heavy, so they are less likely to tip over.

Cons

• Need more water than plastic pots.
• Easier to break.
• Doesn’t resist winter weather.
• More expensive.
• They are heavier

Fabric Plant Containers

Pros

• Very lightweight.
• Easy to store when it’s empty.
• Less expensive.
• Resist winter weather.

Cons

• Their design is not as beautiful in comparison to the regular pots.
• Water goes through because nothing stops it, which could be good because overwatering won’t be a problem, but also, you will need to water them regularly.

Which containers do we use in our urban garden and why?

Because our urban gardening system requires lifting the containers when we transfer them outside, terracotta will be too heavy to carry. In our case, we like to use plastic containers for plants that grow up tall and fabric containers for plants that grow under, like onions, carrots, potatoes, etc.

We decided to reuse our plastic containers in our process toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle. For more information on the steps needed before reusing a container, here.

4. Soil Temperature

We keep our soil and potting mix on our balcony during wintertime. When transplanting seedlings to a bigger container and adding soil, ensure that the soil is not too cold. We bring the potting mix inside, let it warm up and then add it to the planter.

The seedlings need to get strong before any significant changes. If we transplant the seedlings to a bigger container while the plants are still indoors, I keep them indoors for 2-3 days after transplanting to get used to the new environment (soil) before taking them outside.

5. Fertilizer

When we grow in containers, the plant absorbs the potted soil nutrients faster. Fertilizer adds the nutrients needed and helps your plant grow healthy and stronger.

We have used Worm Casting and Organic Fertilizer, which works well for us.

It is recommended to look at the product’s instructions before using it. Too much fertilizer can harm your plants too.

I hope these how to grow vegetables in containers – five great tips help you as much as they have helped us. There is nothing better than eating fresh fruits and vegetables grown at home. You may also like “Useful tools and a structure for urban gardening.”