Maybe you don't have enough space for a large garden. If you only have a patio or a deck that is in a sunny location you still can grow great vegetables.

Try growing in containers!

Pictured below is a whiskey barrel that can be purchased at your local nursery or garden center. This one is growing herbs that can be used in flavoring your favorite dishes.

 The Science: Plants need sun, good soil, warmth and water to grow. A good sized container placed in a sunny location, watered when needed can provide lots of fresh vegies from May until October.

Now let's go over the needs of most all plants but remember whatever container you choose make sure there are plenty of drain holes in the bottom:

• First green plants need sun. Vegetables need lots of sun every day. Generally speaking 8 hours of direct sun is best. Make sure you place your container in a sunny spot.
• Good soil is a must. For your container buy good organic potting soil that is formulated for container planting. Talk to your local garden center for their advice.
  
• Vegetables need warmth to grow.  Some need more warmth than others.
  
• Leafy (lettuce, spincach. kale, c0llards), root vegetables (carrots, beets and radish), broccoli and cabbage can grow in cool weather but most will die back if the temperature outside goes below 32 degrees. Plant these vegies in  late April to early May.
• Warm weather vegies need to be planted when the weather is much warmer and will not do well in cool weather. Plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers or beans only when all danger of frost (temperatures below 32 degrees) has past. In the Pikes Peak region that is usually mid to late May.
  
• The smaller the container the more often you will need to check it to make sure it does not dry out. Checking everyday is important and sometimes twice a day. For watering tips check our web site at: WATERING TIPS
  

THE ACTIVITY

Materials Needed:

• A container or containers suited for planting.
• Organic potting soil, enough to fill your container up to one inch from the top
• Seeds or plants for your container.
• A watering can 

STEP ONE:  Locate the best spot for your container or containers. Choose a sunny location that is protected from the winds is best.

STEP TWO:  Plan your garden. Make a list of the vegies you would like to plant. Remember a small container can hold only a few.  Now go to your local garden shop and pick up some seeds or plants (the ones in season). The folks at the garden shop can help you with your selection. Seeds can be purchased anytime but tomato and pepper plants should be purchased in mid to late May (after danger of frost has passed). 

STEP THREE:  Buy a container that is suited for what you want to plant (the bigger the plant the bigger the container). See some examples below:

NOTE: you don't need to spend lots of money on containers. The blue storage totes are cheap and work just fine! 

STEP FOUR :  Make sure there are plenty of drain holes in your container. This will help prevent over-watering. The blue storage totes will have to have holes punched in the bottom. Make sure an adult is around to do this task!

STEP FIVE: Buy enough good organic potting soil to fill your container one inch from the top. Your local garden center can give you the best advice as to the soil you need. 

STEP SIX:  Before you fill your container make sure it is in the spot where it will stay. Now fill your container with the soil. 

STEP SEVEN:  Even if it is not time to plant, the soil should be kept moist but not damp or wet. Check out our watering tips at: WATERING TIPS

STEP EIGHT:  When the time is right,  plant out your seeds or plants. The back of the seed packet gives suggestions as to the correct spacing of the seeds. You may wish to visit our SEED TAPES page to make some of these for your container.

STEP NINE: Make sure you visit your garden each day (sometimes twice a day in hot weather). Water if needed.

STEP TEN: Harvest and enjoy! After you pick a carrot or perhaps harvest a head of lettuce, replant!

Suggested Crops:

Salad Greens

Carrots and Radish

Tomatoes and Peppers

Kitchen Herbs