Peas on the Patio, Beans on the Balcony

In addition to being thirsty plants, veggies are also hungry ones; they need to be fed regularly to develop a good yield. Use a granular, slow release organic fertilizer designed for vegetables and apply according to package directions, 2 to 3 times during the growing season. You can also use a water-soluble fertilizer weekly. A compost tea, made from one part finished compost and six parts water, steeped for a week, strained and diluted until it’s the color of tea, can also be applied as a foliar spray. Stop any fertilizer applications the week before you harvest and don’t fertilize on hot, dry, sunny days or you will burn the leaves.

TIP #6

For more visual interest and to keep pests under control, combine several veggies in one container, such as lettuce and carrots, cabbage and lettuce, lettuce and radishes. Pests are less attracted to mixed scents than strong, individual scents.

TIP #7

Planting some herbs in with your veggies creates additional color and texture. Herbs such as dill, fennel and yarrow attract beneficial insects which will help manage the pests.

TIP #8

Use tall or vining veggies, such as tomatoes and beans, for a focal point in the garden. When you buy your 4" tomato seedling at the nursery, don’t be fooled into thinking it will stay on the small side. Install a wire cage in the pot at planting time. Before you know it, that little tomato plant will be growing like topsy, and then it will be way too difficult to insert the cage. For runner beans, insert 3 bamboo canes into the pot and shape into a teepee.

TIP #9

Avoid vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage that produce just one crop and then they’re done. It will be more rewarding if you choose crops that produce continuously over the growing season, like lettuce, chard, beans and tomatoes.

TIP #10

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Once you do your homework about what type of growing conditions are needed, try your hand at combining different vegetables in a container, planting heirloom varieties, starting from seed, or trying one of the varieties of baby veggies now available. Relatively speaking, your financial investment is low compared to trees, shrubs and perennials, and the potential rewards of having home-grown produce are great.

Experiment with some container veggies this year. You’ll find that your garden will be both functional, providing fresh fare for your table, and beautiful, adding an edible design dimension to

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