Having been involved in the Container Vegetable Garden World
for only a matter of months, by initial baptism by fire has taught me a few
things already. I am going to share these ‘tips’ if you will with you so you
can perhaps avoid the same mistakes.
Firstly, let me reiterate something – I am a COMPLETE
BEGINNER – but if there is one thing I have come to learn already it’s this; ANYONE
can grow stuff, be it flowers of vegetables its possible for everyone no matter
your space or time allowance.
Tip 1 – Start Small
Whether you are planting in your garden or a container, you learn the most when
you can focus on what you’re doing. Too many pots or to large an area can be too
much to process if it’s your first time, starting a bit small and growing the
following year is easier than starting to big and being overwhelmed.
I started pretty small focusing on around 10 containers of
various sizes as well as some seedling trays, it was easy to manage (I work
full time) so far and the progress is good so far.
I already have plans for next year and I can see myself
leaning towards Square Foot Gardening.
Tip 2 – Start with the EASY stuff
Growing Vegetables is almost instantly rewarding, you add some basic
ingredients and before you know it you have something growing, something which
hopefully you can eventually eat.
I don’t have years of experience behind me to tell you what the
truly EASY vegetables are to grow, but so far I have had the best success with Tomatoes,
Chillis, Garlic and Chicory. They all seem to grow with ease, with little to no
attention and I can make one of my favorite Salads with the ingredients!
That being said I have also had success with Strawberries
and my onion, corn, pumpkin, herb, and lettuce seedlings also, although I have
found these require closer watching, but maybe this is due to my location, in
Cyprus it is hot!
Tip 3 – Don’t waste your Money
I started with mud from my garden, some compost ‘borrowed’ from neighbors and
friends and some seeds, all in all I spent maybe 5Euros. With little more than sticking
the seed in the mud, and watering I had a seedlings growing.
I would advise spending your money wisely, many things can
be used as containers to start your seeds, plastic drink cups, old plastic
bottles or pots – anything that you can fill with mud and keep moist with
drainage and you’re good.
My only advice would be buy good seeds, buy good soil as and
when you’re able, and invest in some good tools, even if its just the basic
watering can.
Tip 4 – Do some Research
Admittedly I did none, and whilst it wasn’t the worst thing in the world, after
planting and seeing my seeds take off I found myself frantically trying to
learn as much as possible in a short a time frame as possible, which is not
easy.
Read some blogs and check the web – everything you need is there and free –
Some sources which gave me inspiration can be found in my Blog Roll, but here
you go;
Amongst others, but you get the drift, any blog or site,
with any amount of information can help, whilst these tips you read are from an
amateur, they are my initial observations and everyone’s opinion may help.
Tip 5 – Easy on the Seeds
The first thing I learnt when my seedlings began growing was how much I over
seeded my pots. I put WAY to many seeds in my pots and when they all started
growing I had to quickly learn about thinning out. Since my initial seedling
experience I have stuck to 1 or 2 seeds per pot or area and so far my
germination rate has been very high!
At one point I had about 8 Tomato
seedlings in the space of a square inch and had no idea what to do, I left them
to see and they all died, the next pot with 2 seeds grew perfectly, I pulled
one from the pot and its now my healthiest Tomato seedling!!
Tip 6 – FUN
If you do not enjoy it, don’t bother, BUT, please persist when difficult. When
things are at there hardest it normally means success is around the corner.
That being said have fun, learn and look forward to eating something you have
grown.
