skip to main content

Container Gardening

Zone 6 container veggie garden

16 years ago

Any advice would be appreciated! This is the first summer we plan on putting our tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers into large patio pots instead of planting in the ground. I plan to use good soil and make sure the pots have adequate drainage. Anything else I should know? Can I grow zucchini, cucumbers, or cantelope in containers? Should I wait longer in the season to place them outside due to being above ground and risk of frost?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

memberdave
16 years ago
Not sure what zone rating Ohio gets, but I'm pretty sure both cucumbers and cantaloupes are hot climate crops. If no one else from your zone replies, you'll have to look up your local extension sources. Here in Texas, we have a longer growing season and I plant my container cucumbers in March-April and cantaloupes a little later and also in the summer.
memberdave
16 years ago
I sow all the vegetables you mentioned direct (I don't grow zucchini). In your zone, you may want to sow yours indoors and then transplant the seedlings when the last frost is over.

You can search first and last frost and average temperatures online for your zone. Important information to know and have handy.
Related Discussions
Pictures of my container Veggi Garden
Q
Comments (9)
Shodorov Nope, bought at HD just inside from the garden center. They are with the plant ties and such Emgardener...... They get about 7-8 hours. The sun comes up and kinda makes it's arch over the length of the garden Only 4 hours will make quite a difference. Its not you, its that damned sun :) My two tomatoes I planted in 18 gallon totes are way at the end of my garden. They get a lot less sun than the rest and you can tell
...See More
my first spring bulb container garden in zone 6
Q
Comments (3)
For the first time this fall i've planted bulbs in my pots to have bloom for the spring. I usually plant in the ground so I don't have any experience with how the winter will be on the bulbs in the pots. Do you have to protect the pots somehow so they don't freeze??? I'm in Michigan and it gets really cold here. I have planted the bulbs in a 20" in diameter pot, and have put leaves on top along with landscape fabric to hold the leaves in. I have also grouped the 3 pots together in the corner of my house. Hopefully this will be enough to keep them alive for the spring. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
...See More
Best garlic for container & is it too late to start in zone 6?
Q
Comments (15)
I planted in the fall - perhaps too early, in Sept - and the leaves never died back. Our winter was exceptionally warm. These look amazing and the stem is FAT. I planted after 2 weeks of chilling the bulbs in the fridge. Then I acquired more bulbs...in the winter...these were also chilled for 2 weeks. A few varieties were planted in the ground in December. A few more were planted in the ground in January. Eight varieties were planted in containers, and started indoors, in February. The container varieties are nearly as big as the fall planted ones, at the stem just above the soil. The container varieties have been outside for a month now. I am newer to this and read a fantastic book. What I read is that if the cloves are not subjected to cool weather, once planted, the clove division and wrapper formation gets messed up, later in the season. Well shall see!
...See More
new to gardening. critique my two 6x6 veggie gardens.
Q
Comments (6)
The gardens are along the back of our house. I have designed 3 mulched paths front to back so it goes path bed 1 path bed 2 then another path. Hubby made the 6x6 beds and filled in with organic soil and compost. I tried to draw it here... HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE LAWN LAWN PATH GARDEN 1 PATH GARDEN 2 PATH DECK DECK LAWN LAWN PATH GARDEN 1 PATH GARDEN 2 PATH DECK DECK LAWN LAWN PATH GARDEN 1 PATH GARDEN 2 PATH DECK DECK LAWN LAWN PATH GARDEN 1 PATH GARDEN 2 PATH DECK DECK BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY BRICK WALKWAY LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN LAWN Does that make more sense? Thanks.
...See More
memberdave
16 years ago
Search for the dates of first and last freeze in your zone (and relevant average monthly or seasonal temperatures) would be better.
kenzo
16 years ago
I am planning on my first container garden as well. I have a small but very sunny concrete backyard. Eastern PA

I am looking to do the Italian basics I know from childhood. Tomato Zucchini Eggplant Peppers.

How early do I neeed to have them in? I was planning on using 10gal spackle buckets will this work?
wild_forager
16 years ago
Don't put any of those out until the average nighttime temperature is above 55 F or they will get stunted and possibly never fully grow. I also have a small concrete backyard with some sun and for any of those plants 5 gallons or larger should suffice per plant, or smaller for dwarf and patio varieties.

Cynthia, I too wonder about the effect of frost and temperature on containers that are above the soil line. It probbaly depends on the size of your containers and even the color of them (black will absorb more sunlight and stay warm, but may get too hot in summer).
kenzo
16 years ago
so ONLY one plant per 5gal bucket? (i meant 5 not 10 in OP)

Here is what I think I have learned from rooting around here... soiless mix, sceen and drainage holes at bottom. shade the container so as not to burn roots. water in the morning.

anything else I am missing? Would I be better served to buy some earthboxes? Budget is an issue.

I am planning on buying the seedlings from a local urban farm because the house is under construction and there is no room for growing from seed this year.
bruce825
16 years ago
I'd encourage you to make the boxes yourself. Cheaper and more satisfying than buying them.

Follow the planting guide that is on the official Earthbox site. It's also one of the links in my little how-guide at my Flickr photoset.

Here is a link that might be useful: rooftop EBs

Related Stories

URBAN GARDENS Containers Make Growing Edibles a Cinch

If life hands you a lack of land, grow lemons — with a few basics, you can proudly reap the fruits, veggies and herbs of your labor

FARM YOUR YARD 10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: How to Make and Plant a Veggie Box

By Annie Thornton

See how to start edibles from seed, then transfer the seedlings to a box on stilts to make harvesting more fun

FARM YOUR YARD How to Build a Raised Bed for Your Veggies and Plants

By Annie Thornton

Whether you’re farming your parking strip or beautifying your backyard, a planting box you make yourself can come in mighty handy

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Fall Beauties for Mild-Climate Container Gardens

We're talking long-term relationship: These showy shrubs will bring color to your container garden autumn after autumn

EDIBLE GARDENS 6 Summer Edibles That Can Really Take the Heat

By Steve Asbell

When garden temperatures soar, these herbs and vegetables rise to the challenge

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Gift-Giving Gardens for Delights Beyond the Visual

By Laura Gaskill

Grow your own natural dyes, snip herbs for home brews and more ... these creative gardens have benefits beyond beauty alone

Sponsored

Landscape Management Group

29 Reviews

High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus

More Discussions

Firefly Petunia in Containers Outside

4

Yellow leaves: to remove or not?

5

Fertilizing in a self water pot?

5

How do I post a pic of a sick plant?

3

Up-potting small Sango Kaku

5