We already have a list withTypes of vegetablespublished that are perfect for growing in flower pots. In flower pots you can create a wonderfulCreate a vegetable garden, which is particularly advantageous if you don't have a garden or if it is limited in size. Today we would like to explain to you what you should consider when preparing and caring for your gardenVegetables in a flowerpotwant to be successful.
Vegetables in flower pots – the right watering
In many cases the reason for the failure of vegetables in pots is that they are too rareirrigatedbecome. Because water cannot be stored like in the soil and the roots of plants cannot search for water, the soil dries out more quickly. Therefore, check regularly whether the soil of your vegetables in the flower pot is moist. Depending on the location, i.e. a windy or sunny place, it may be necessary to water the vegetables every day or even twice a day. In addition, overwatering and waterlogging should also be avoided. This can lead to rotting of the roots.
Vegetables in a flower pot – practical drip hose
Now this can be a burden, especially with a larger flowerpot garden, if watering is done by hand. An automatic irrigation system, such as a drip hose, can help. If you use this variant, place it in the form of a loop around each plant. This guarantees an even distribution of water without risking overwatering the vegetables in the flower pot.
The soil for the vegetables in the flower pot
Another important factor to consider in order to enjoy a bountiful harvest is the right choice and mix of soil. Every successful gardener will confirm this! The soil for the vegetables in the flower pot should have three properties. The soil must guarantee good water drainage, be rich in nutrients and be able to store moisture for longer. You can of course buy such soil ready-made. If you want, you can also easily make them yourself. But then avoid using soil from your garden. In most cases this contains clay, which hinders water drainage.
Flowerpot mix for the vegetables
The best soil mix for the vegetables in the flower pot should look like this:
– a part of coarse sand
– two parts good, sifted compost
– a part of moist coconut bast
– a part of lava stone or pearl stone
Worm casting for the vegetables in the flower pot
These parts are mixed well with each other. The coconut bast is used to store moisture in the soil. In most ready-made mixes, moss peat is used instead, which is also a variant for vegetables in flower pots. However, once it dries out, it has a water-repellent property. Coconut bast, on the other hand, can absorb new moisture at any time and also lasts longer. You can add organic soil additives right at the beginning. This saves you from having to fertilize over time as the nutrients are released gradually. This means that all you have to worry about now is watering your vegetables in the flower pot.
Enrich flower pot soil with dried worm castings
Worm soil is also beneficial for the vegetables in the flower pot. These are available in dried form, but fresh, moist ones are best. If it also contains worms, that's even better! These process the nutrients so that they can be absorbed by the plants and therefore serve as beneficial organisms. They also produce positive bacteria and fungi that fight any pathogens.
Vegetables in flower pots – avoid overcrowding
This is a mistake that many beginners make when planting vegetables in flower pots. The more plants there are in a flower pot, the worse they feel, which of course also has an impact on the production and quality of the fruit of all plants. The plants are in constant competition with each other and have to share water and nutrients. For this reason, a single but healthy plant is much better. In addition, the plants are stressed due to their competition and are therefore more susceptible to diseases and pests. Of course, this also increases your work in relation to this. The golden rule when it comes to vegetables in flower pots is: one flower pot – one plant!
Lots of light for the vegetables in the flower pot
The vegetables in the flower pot need as much light as the plants in other types of gardens and that is between six and eight hours. These plants can also thrive in flower pots in the north and east, but this is a little more difficult. You should also choose fast-maturing varieties. For this reason, you should ideally choose the south and/or west. Vegetables that are suitable for sunless directions include cherry tomatoes (instead of normal tomatoes), lettuces and some types of peppers. In this case, the distance between the individual plants should also be increased (to 15 to 20 cm). The plants need this to get more light and to form new leaves more easily.
Vegetables in a flower pot – the bigger the flower pot, the better!
The vegetables in the flowerpot can also thrive in smaller containers, but larger ones are preferred. In this way, the roots can spread better and deeper, making the plant stronger and more resilient. Finally, the fruits are heavy and should be able to be held by the plant. Furthermore, the roots are better developed and stronger in this way and can store water for longer. So you don't have to worry if you forget to water your vegetables in the flower pot. So go for the big pots and leave the small ones in your storage.
Vegetables in a flower pot – The shape of the pot
Another point, in addition to the size of the flower pot, is its shape. The pot should ideally be round or cylindrical if possible. The traditional, cone-shaped versions are less suitable for vegetables in flower pots. These have the disadvantage that a larger area of the earth comes into contact with the sun, so that it dries out more quickly. The top few centimeters are always dry and therefore useless for the plant, so you should at least ensure that the soil can remain moist towards the bottom. The best way to achieve this is to have a diameter that is no larger at the surface of the earth than at the bottom.
The material the pot is made of and its color also play an important role. Terracotta pots are always suitable. The choice also depends on the location of your vegetable plants. Since the amount of light and heat is lower in the north and west, dark flower pots are very suitable for attracting light and therefore heat. Metal pots are also an advantage. This is not necessary in the south and west. In this case, choose flower pots that are as light as possible so that the light can be reflected. If you need or want to move your vegetables around in the flower pot frequently, fabric containers are best. They are elastic, have a wide base and are therefore the best choice for this purpose.
Flower boxes for vegetables save space
If you don't have enough space on your balcony for the vegetables in the flower pot, you can use flower boxes to make use of the height space. Now you're probably wondering if these shallow containers don't affect the growth of the roots. The truth is that the flower boxes are longer and the roots can therefore grow wider without any problems. It is best to choose boxes made of wood. This material helps to keep the roots sufficiently cool. Another advantage worth mentioning of this type of container for the vegetables in the flower pot is that harvesting is also easier because the fruits will be at a comfortable height. Salads and cabbage are particularly suitable for growing in flower boxes.
Spices in a flower pot
Sometimes you just need a sense of success before you try something more complicated. It is therefore best to start with spices before the vegetables in the flower pot. The spices and herbs are very undemanding plants and perfect for beginners. And wouldn't you think it would be great to always have the right spice ready, fresh? The basil should definitely not be missing. Because what would spaghetti with tomato sauce be without this special spice. Rosemary and thyme are just as easy to grow. When choosing a pot, just make sure that it has a diameter of 30 cm.
Cherry tomatoes as vegetables in a flower pot
Tomatoes are undoubtedly popular in any type of garden, but they are quite susceptible to disease. And people often forget to water, which is not very recommended for these vegetables in the flower pot. However, if you still don't want to go without tomatoes, choose cherry tomatoes instead. These are not as sensitive as the larger varieties. In principle, the following applies to tomatoes: the smaller the fruit, the easier the plant is to grow. The cherry tomato requires a flower pot that is at least 26 liters in size.
Arrange the vegetables in the flower pot according to the microclimate
You should divide the space for your flowerpot garden into different areas. Accordingly, place the sun-loving plant in the place where the sun shines the longest and most often. Plants with lots of leaves, on the other hand, should also receive enough shade to avoid burning. If you don't have an area with too much sun for the vegetables in the flower pot, it would be advantageous to place the flower pots on the ground. This way they can absorb additional heat. As already mentioned, containers made of metal or a darker color are also an advantage. If you have a very sunny balcony, raised beds with wheels that you can move around are very suitable. Otherwise, protect the vegetables in the flower pot with another sunscreen during the hot afternoon sun in summer.
