Author: Antonio Pachowko

Growing Potatoes and Tomatoes in Containers


In a previous article (Growing Vegetables in Containers- Growing your own Meals) I omitted the growing of potatoes and tomatoes in containers, as I wanted to go into their growing in greater details.

In this article, the growing of potatoes and tomatoes will be discussed, as these are the most grown vegetables in the UK. They tend to be some of the easiest vegetables to grow, but only if you follow the right methodology, otherwise poor yields can result.

POTATOES

Potatoes traditionally are divided into three categories; …

Growing Vegetables in Containers- Growing your Own Meals


In theory, it is possible to grow any vegetables in containers, if a large enough container is used. This may not be practical as the return from some vegetables in containers is so small.

It makes sense to concentrate on high-value crops, the crops which are harder to find in shops or are very expensive to buy. One myth that is often spread is that home grow vegetables taste better than shop bought. This is not true, sometime it will taste better, other times it will taste inferior. …

Getting Children Involved in Container Gardening


Everybody with children knows when the six weeks of summer holiday arrives, children will get easily bored with nothing to so. How do you entertain them on these long days, on weekends and on those long evenings? There is a way which could pique their interest, and that is container gardening, a hobby that can become a life passion.

Gardening is a fun activity for children as they can get their hands dirty, doing something which is not only educational but providing skills that are useful for the …

Container Gardening for Hay Fever Sufferers-Stop the Snuffles


Gardening is often such a pleasure for many, as you can grow what you like, where you like. This pleasure is not readily available for those who suffer from hay fever, as pollen can cause misery to these people.

It is no fun if your eyes are streaming, your nose is running and/or block, your sinuses are killing you, and you are breaking out in hives. Gardening will be the last thing you want to do. But is this so?

Gardens are normally filled with pollen-rich plants that …

Herbs in Pots- Spice Up Your Container Garden


Herbs are useful in everybody’s kitchen as they provide so much flavour to foods. Most herbs do not take a lot of room and therefore can be grown in small spaces. They also do not take much looking after, as it seems that herbs thrive on neglect.

As most of our herbs come from the Mediterranean hillside then they can grow on the harshest conditions. They prefer to be grown in a mix of multipurpose compost with sharp sand, in a ratio of 2 parts multipurpose to 1 …

Growing Fruit Trees in Containers- There’s a Tree for You


It is always surprising the range of fruit trees that can be grown if you have no garden to plant in. Your first thought is that 7m cherry tree growing in a large orchard has put you off thinking of growing fruit trees.

Breeders have seen the opportunity and have developed techniques to minimize the height of trees. It is now possible to plant fruit trees in containers, and still get a decent harvest. The technique developed by free tree breeders is called ‘grafting’ in which the fruit …

The Use of Leaves Plants for Containers- Add a Striking Focal Point


If you have a container garden, foliage adds a different dimension to your gardening display. The leaves add shape and form to a design, as well as to contrast any floral display. For example, ferns, heucheras and ivies adds texture to autumn or winter display of pansy and violas. If bronze sedges are set against bulb flowers, this will liven up any spring container.

Some leafy plants need no flower companions and will make a statement on its own, or with other plants in groups. Shrubs make excellent …

Rabbit and Deer Proofing your Container Garden- Stop Flower Heads Disappearing


Everybody remembers the story of Bambi, the young deer whose mother get shot dead by hunters, and his rabbit friend, Thumper. In Disney animation these creatures are fine but put Bambi and Thumper in your garden, and you wish that they were never born.

Plants can be devastated by rabbits and deers who have a large appetite for many plant varieties. It is a nightmare trying to come up with plants that are not favoured by deer and rabbits, and yet still attractive to have in the container …

Diseases and Pests of Plants in Containers-What to Watch Out for?


Most diseases and pests that affect plants in containers, also commonly affect those that are found in gardens. These problems are often due to improper care, which can be often improved by better cultivation and maintenance of the plants in containers.

Chemical sprays are limited because of the vastly reduced numbers available, due to the number of chemical pesticides and fungicides that have been withdrawn that will tackle diseases and pests.

As consumers, we have become more environmentally friendly, and the effect pesticides have on our native species …

Watering Spikes- 5 of the Best Reviewed


As said in previous posts watering of plants is extremely crucial in its survival, especially if the soil or compost is dry for long periods. Some plants like succulents can go without water for a long time, as they store water in their leaves.

Cactus can go months without water, but other plants do not seem to survive if the compost dries and the plant wilts. Once the plant wilts and it is not watered soon after, within a couple of days, the plant will die.

We all …