Pesche's Container Vegetable & Herb Tips

Have you decided to try container gardening, but aren’t sure where to start? Take a cue from your favorite foods! An Italian theme might contain favorites like tomatoes, basil, and parsley. Lettuces make great cool weather container gardens. Or, tantalize your tastebuds with fresh herbs such as borage, french tarragon, chamomile and anise. Your are only limited by your imagination. Ready, set - plant!

Select compact plants.

Bush-type plants are better suited for the limited space available when container gardening. Some common vegetables available in bush form are:

• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini

Select low profile planters.

A short, wide container provides more room for root growth, and is less prone to tipping over in high winds. Some options are:

• Whiskey barrels (retain moisture better than terra-cotta)
• Terra-cotta (readily available, less prone to tipping over due to weight, require extra watering)
• Ultra-lite resin pots (more expensive, but easier to move due to light construction - verify it is safe for food-related use)

Regardless of the container you choose, good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. You may need to drill additional holes.

Location, location, location.

Provide plenty (6-8 hours) of sun.

Rotate the containers regularly (every 3 days) to ensure strong, straight stems. Plants reaching for light tend to be weaker and more prone to breakage. Coaster wheel supports are extremely helpful for rotating large and heavy planters.

Protect your containers from storms, unusually heavy rainfall, hail and damaging winds.

Dirt. Soil. Who cares?

Don’t skimp on soil-less potting mix. Use a premium mixture like Pesche's Potting Soil. Cheaper mixes can lead to:

• Soggy soil and root rot
• Extremely dry soil
• Weeds and diseases
• Poor nutrient absorption due to unadjusted pH

We recommend

• 1/3 premium top soil
• 2/3 Pesche's potting soil
• a few heaping trowels of Wiggle Worm soil conditioner

Note: Dry organic fertilizers like Espoma require some garden soil to work. Soiless mixes like Pesche's potting soil do not have the bacteria to get the fertilizer to work!

Water. Fertilize. Watch. Enjoy.

A regular watering and feeding schedule will ensure your plants stay healthy. Healthy plants have improved disease and pest resistance, and a regular schedule will ensure that you see problems before they have a chance to wreak havoc.

Food crops in pots require weekly fertilization. Organic fertilizers, such as Espoma or Neptune’s Harvest, provide growing plants the nutrients they need without excessive chemical use.

Should you encounter a problem, organic pest and disease controls offer a healthier alternative to chemical sprays and treatments. Pesche's carries a complete line of earth-friendly curatives and organic fertilizers - just ask!