Vegetable GardeningIn a small space

Choosing Containers

• Large enough to support fully grown plants

• Adequate drainage

• Must never have held products that are toxic to plants or people

Drainage

• Be sure there are plenty of drainage holes in the bottom or along the sides of the container

• Raise containers off the ground with slats or bricks to allow excess water to drain freely

Use small containers for …

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Mustard

• Peppers

• Radishes

• Spring onions

Use medium containers for …

• Aubergines

• Carrots

• Beets

• Broccoli

• Beans

• Cherry tomatoes

Use large containers for …

• Cabbage

• Brussels sprouts

• Cucumbers

• Squash

• Tomatoes

Potting Medium

• Soil used in containers must be porous

• Ensures air and water movement around the roots

• Regular garden soil does not drain well in containers and should not be used

Mixing Your Own Potting Medium

• One part compost

• One part garden loam

• One part clean, coarse, builder's sand or perlite

Watering

• Soil should be checked for moisture at least once a day

• Plants should be watered if the soil is dry an inch below the surface.

• Excessive watering can be as fatal as too little

Sunlight

• Vegetables grown for their roots will tolerate partial shade

• So will leafy vegetables

• Vegetables bearing fruit require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day

Soil Ph

Rhododendron, camellias, azaleas, blueberries, ferns, prefer soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.0

Holly and rhododendron, grow well in soil with a 5.0 to 6.0 pH

Soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 will grow pansy, asters, peaches, carrots, lettuce