Fruit or veggie container gardening: Re: Need advice

» ChicagoMike - Re: Need advice

In response to Need advice posted by unicatwritr:

Yes it can be done, or at least I've read in several places that it has been successfully done. Check out the "container gardening" forum at gardenweb.com for some ideas from those in similar situations. The search at that site isn't ideal so you will have to go digging since there are so many threads, but there's great info there.

The second place to check is in the book Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. In the latter part of the book he teaches how to make raised wooden containers which are boxes to utilize his easy square foot gardening technique. I have the book as I'm trying to figure out how to grow large heirloom tomatoes on my roof here in Chicago, but his solution is very easy for what you're interested in doing. He has shown that for many varieties all you have to do is make a 4 foot by 4 space that is only 6-8 inches deep and divide that into 4 separate equal squares and by using this "square foot" technique you get more vegetables per area while having them thrive. I remember a picture from it of an individual in a wheelchair using a raised container set-up so he explains a solution which may meet your needs. The book is fairly inexpensive. I have a rereleased copy which is available used for about $6 plus shipping on Amazon. You may be be able to find it cheaper on half.com GL!

-- posted by ChicagoMike