Growing a Vegetable Garden…on your patio!

Growing a vegetable garden has many advantages: we’re helping the environment, providing our families with healthier choices and saving money!  However, growing a garden requires space, time and some horticulture knowledge that many of us might lack.  We have a solution for you, grow a garden in containers in the space you have…a patio or balcony!  Get the entire family involved in growing your garden.  Pick a variety of vegetables you already enjoy and maybe a few you’ve been meaning to try.  Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to a successful harvest!

It all starts with a sunny location
Growing a successful garden begins with some planning.  Find an area in your home or outside that receives a great deal of sunlight.  Ideally choose an area that receives at least 6 hours of full sun per day.

Purchase seedlings
The best solution for a beginner gardener is using vegetable and herb seedling plants.  Bonnie Plants (www.BonniePlants.com) makes it very easy for you.  Their seedlings are distributed regionally, so your local plant nursery already has the best varieties for your area.  Bonnie Plants are also sold at numerous stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, K-Mart and Loews.  These seedlings are earth friendly too!  They are sold in biodegradable pots which have already prevented millions of pounds of plastic from entering landfills.  Mix in some herbs with your vegetables and get creative, you can add some flowers to the container as well.  Your patio will be full of texture and color when they begin to grow.

Choose the best container
Choose containers that are appropriate to the suit the needs of your plant.  Some vegetables grow expansive root systems and will require a deeper container while herbs can be grown in cute little pots.  Also remember that vine plants, such as tomatoes, will require stakes and ties as they grow.  There are many varieties of pots to choose from but try to choose pots that are also good for the environment, such as clay or wood.   Your containers will require proper drainage.  Many garden centers will place drainage holes in containers you purchase from them.

Purchase a good quality organic potting soil
Look for a light weight, sterile organic potting soil such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Potting Mix http://tinyurl.com/3tv43tn.
Do not use garden soil, as it is too dense for container planting.

Ready to plant
Get the family involved with the planting.  Learn some helpful tips or get the basics of planting at http://tinyurl.com/3d5pjn2

Watering your garden
Container gardens require more water than those in the ground.  If the vegetables begin to wilt, you’ve waited too long.  A good test is to place your finger in the soil approximately 2 inches deep, if it is dry it’s time to water your plants.

Feed your plants for better growth
Your garden needs the proper nutrients to grow and stay healthy just as we do.  Look for an organic plant food, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Plant Food http://tinyurl.com/3lz4jpw.