Go Green: Container Gardening

As the owner of a smaller Del Ray home situated on a compact lot, I’m always thinking about scale. Our home is filled with furnishings carefully selected to fit the space. From kitchen items to clothing, everything we purchase must be able to be stashed somewhere in our house.

This small-space mentality extends to our backyard patio where I’ve been contemplating planting a selection of herbs and vegetables. With a small footprint to work with and two rambunctious sons, I know I have a challenge.

Enter container gardening, where plants are grown in separate pots or in raised beds. One of the best attributes of container gardening is that vegetables, herbs and flowers can be grown in anything, just about anywhere. In addition, some of the problems associated with planting directly in the ground—such as pests, some soil-borne diseases and the trampling feet of children—can be avoided.

According to Joseph G. Masabni, of The Texas A&M System, “Vegetables that are ideally suited for growing in containers include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, green onions, beans, lettuce, squash, radishes and parsley.“

Just about any container can double as a garden as long as it has the ability to drain properly, an important factor to consider when contemplating porous versus non-porous options. In addition, proper watering of a container garden is key, as too much water will rob the roots of needed oxygen. Masabni recommends daily watering at the base of the plants—never on the leaves. Most plants are better suited for full sunlight so finding a nice bright corner of your yard will offer best results.

I think the thing I like best about container gardening is it seems manageable in size. With so many things to care for daily, a small grouping of vegetables and herbs in their own pots seems like something I can tackle.