Container gardening

[iaborn42]

What types of produce could I grow in container gardening? How would I go about doing it and how big would my containers have to be?

I am just trying to find some options here. I am about to enter into Iowa's growing season and if I could do something in containers that would help.

I would also need help with how to prepare my soil, there are so many products out there and I don't know anything about organic gardening.

I would appreciate any help.

[Raene]

I'm hoping to do this for the first time this year, too.
I'm going to grow okra, tomatoes, and peppers. I haven't decided what else, yet. If you google it you can find quite a lot of things that will grow in containers.

[juliebove]

You can grow pretty much anything you want, but some things are better then others. Best not to grow things where the bulk of the crop is underground like peanuts, potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc. It can be done but it's kind of a waste of space. I've also found that space-wise it doesn't work so well to do peas and beans.

I use the Earthbox. I have grown lemon cucumbers, all kinds of peppers, many varieties of tomatoes, onions, herbs and lettuce. Strawberries can also be grown given the right container. I would probably not try some things like melons and squash because they take up so much space, but they could likely be done if you really wanted them. You can buy books on container gardening.

[Raene]

Is the Earthbox for indoor use?

[juliebove]

Is the Earthbox for indoor use?

You'd have a mess if you used it inside. For one thing, the watering is done via a tube and the excess water drips out the side. Now if you were setting up a garden in your basement with a cement floor with a drain hole or some such thing, you could do it. Otherwise, if you want to do indoor gardening, just get regular planter boxes or pots.

[FloridaPatty]

Is the Earthbox for indoor use?

tube with a stick. I use them so I can bring my tomatoes in everytime we get a hard freeze warning in the winter. Or put a plastic sheet under them. There is also another earthbox that come in 2 parts and you put the water in from the front. You can see the level of the water easily.

[carolg]

How are you bringing in the "whole" earthbox into the house? Mine are super heavy and can't even move the darn thing.

I do EB (earthboxes) as well as ground as I have plenty of room on an acre.

I do love the EB and have ab out 10. One crazy neighbor, elderly man, decided he was going to throw some out and one got out of my site and the other I rescued after I had told him numerous times that I would love to have his EB if he decides he doesn't want them.

I don't use turn over my soil with a tiller but with shovel, but he has a small tiller so may have to start telling him when he is ready to part with it, I am the first inheritent and not the garbage man. I suppose I'll have to say it over and over till he may be be able to remember.

carolg

[FloridaPatty]

I can pull them on the ground or push them. But yes they are very heavy.

When we get a hard freeze warming, I have a ton of plants to move somewhere. It takes about 3 hours of work. The tomatoes have to come in when the temperatures get near 40. I'm in no rush to get them back outside. I am pretty sure we will have no more hard freezes until next winter. Even took the chocolate trees outside today.