So todays gardening youth has a question to ask... Where do I even start?? I tell you what I've got planed... Im planting a pot garden, I have a buch of pots and im wanting to plant Veggies. But where do I start, Its getting to be the end of April in Wisconsin and am I too late, I don't want to plant seeds becasue Im afraid, if that sounds weird. Im afraid they won't turn out good/Yummy! 1. So do veggies work good in pots?? 2. Am I too late?? 3. Should I start with seed or plant from a nursey?? 4. What should I grow??( I was thinking to plant peppers but yellow and red not green, tomatos, peas) So there is my Questions...It would be such a help to get some answers!!
1. Depends on the veggies and the size of the pots. Bush veg, like beans and tomatoes, will do quite well. Root crops may not unless you have fairly deep pots for them. See point 4 for further plant suggestions. 2. If you're growing in pots, you're never too late to start. If you get a freak cold snap, you can move the plants into your house - get planting! Don't be afraid of the seeds - if any of your plants fail, that's a learning lesson for you on how to grow them next time (or how not to.) Likewise, if you grow something you don't like, you can always give it away or put it in the compost and not grow it again. 3. It depends on you. Wisconsin has a climate similar to Canada, and since you're approaching May you might want to go with seedlings to increase your chance of getting a crop in before the fall/winter hits again. Conversely, since you're growing in pots... see point 2. 4. Peppers will do fine in pots, and so will 'maters. Check out this thread for ideas on hot peppers if you're interested in them. Peas need to climb; if you can suspend strings for them they should do OK, but it might limit the mobility of the pot (see point 2.) You can also grow bush beans (my personal fave are Burgundy Bush Beans), lettuces and spinach and other salad greens, and even early-girl sweet corn plants (these will have to be started from seed, but it's worth it to grow your own corn on the cob!) You should also be able to do things like broccoli and cauliflower, if you like them, and shallow-growing root crops like red radishes or globe beets. The other thing that is ideal for potted growing is herbs, like parsley, dill, basil, thyme, etc. McFayden also sells bush cucumbers that will do well in pots. They've also got small canteloupes for potted culture, although these need some support, like a trellis. Check them out - McFayden specializes in all sorts of things that are hardy and quick-maturing for the short Canadian growing season. They're in Manitoba, Canada which is Northwest of you, and they ship to the States. My family has ordered from them for many years, and we have never been disappointed. You can also check out McKenzie seeds for cold-hardy varieties of these plants. On the fruit side, strawberries do really well in pots, and if you bring them into your house for the winter you can have berries year round. Look for the "everbearing" varieties if you want to do this - Home Depot carries a fairly good selection, and they are generally inexpensive. I hope this helps you - if you have other questions, the folks here are very friendly and knowledagble and ready to answer you! And if all else fails, ask Durgan. He's the garden guru.
If you go to www.westcoastseeds.com and look under their carrot page, they now have tiny carrots called "thumbelina" apparently they are good in pots! ' Good luck!
