North Coast Gardening | Many Vegetables Thrive In Containers

These freight train storms hitting our gardens right now make climbing and digging difficult. Gardening enthusiasts like myself may be disappointed by the lack of conservatory planting. Don't be afraid. Many vegetables grow well in containers. Here are some things you can do to beat the rain.

Keep it simple: take a large bag of soil, dig drainage holes on one flat side, and put a few bags of greenery on the other side. Greens like Asian greens, leaf lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard and kale will give you a quick salad in just a few weeks. Located in a sunny location and near water. that's all. Do not weed, do not dig. The flight only takes a few minutes. This is a fun summer project to introduce kids to growing foods.

Choose wisely: Carrots, dwarf peas, Asian greens and most salad greens grow best in pots at least 12 inches deep and 20 inches wide. Green onions, parsley, sage and thyme grow well in containers. Over time, the rosemary will grow out of the pot as it resembles a woody shrub. Try to grow potatoes in large soil. It's simple.

Growing Fruit: Many fruits can be grown in containers. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and some dwarf fruit trees grow in certain areas. Citrus fruits do well in containers. Your local nursery can point you in the right direction.

Growing: What it takes to grow healthy indoor vegetables using containers Good soil, 4-4-4 organic fertilizer, at least six hours of sun and a commitment to watering everything well.

Buy local: If you want to be sure of the quality of the food you eat, visit your local nursery. There you will find helpful professionals, tons of land, and amazing vegetables grown by local farmers. Growing lettuce in a large garbage bag really works!

Terry Kramer is the director of the Humboldt Botanical Garden as well as a professional horticulturist and journalist. He has written a gardening column for The Times-Standard since 1982. Contact him at terrykramer90@gmail.com.