Container Gardening

A number of factors contribute to the realization of the urban grown garden, foremost among them an actual piece of dirt in which to grow vegetables. For those in want of a simple solution to a despotic landlord or the tragically limiting nature of apartment living, your answer may lie in container gardening. Though this idea is nothing new to many city dwellers, I was recently inspired while staying with my friend Brian at his rented home in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Brian's gracious roommates (thanks again for all your hospitality guys!) live in a 100-year-old Victorian home lacking a yard proper. The space behind the house is a concrete patio meant to be used as a parking spot. While serving as an excellent space to host one mean summertime barbecue, concrete does not the ideal growing space make. Thus, the introduction of the versatile container garden. Brian's roommate Andrew has converted two "muck buckets" to accommodate several varieties of vegetables and herbs.

To purchase similarly sized containers designed for growing vegetables would have cost around $25 each. These buckets cost Andrew around $6, and have conveniently placed rope handles should they need to be moved to follow the sun's changing trajectory in late summer. The only modification to consider is drilling several half inch holes in the bottom of the containers to allow water to drain. The containers (which I believe are 15-18 gallon capacity) are large enough to accommodate between five and six plants each. They are filled with a potting soil mix designed for growing vegetables. This should contain plenty of perlite to ensure good airflow within the soil.

This container contains mostly herbs (from left parsley, oregano, and basil).

The other contains three pepper plants, sage, and a cucumber. Placing the cucumber next to the fence has the added benefit of providing the plant a surface to climb and vine (although allowing it to vine through the fence will prevent moving the container until the plant is done fruiting).

For those with the will but perhaps thought they lacked a way, container gardening provides a fantastic solution to the often perceived problem of concrete and limited space.

Fresh greens

The weather these last weeks has been unbelievably good. Too good to be true, almost. Only the garden seems to appreciate it more than me. Had a fresh picked salad today with the first broccoli head, spinach, chives, cilantro and the spicy greens that grew of their own volition (probably from the compost Aaron and I spread).

Nothing but good eating from here on out. Before long it will mostly be a matter of keeping up with it all. A pic of the garden from today.

Also planted a row of peppers, as well as several inside the cloche. A special thanks to my friend Erik for all the different pepper seedlings: ancho, jalapeno, golden bell, purple bell and poppers.

Garden Installation

Today I planted a garden for a friend's mother. The plot was formerly a lawn, but had been dug up (at least a year) prior. Here's a shot of the space before I got my hands dirty:

Overall a good space with direct sun all day that required minimal labor to get started. I turned the soil, as it had become compacted from our usual Northwest winter rains. The garden is triangle shaped, probably around 150-200 square feet. I planted rows of spinach, carrots, bush beans, snap and snow peas, tomatoes, and a small herb garden consisting of cilantro, basil and parsley.

Here's what it looked like after 4 hours of work. I managed to finish just in time to get out of the rain (which lasted pretty much the rest of the day). A great way to spend the morning and early afternoon (and make a little money on the side). With any luck I'll be doing this sort of thing more often in the near future. The Urban Grown garden installation service, a pipe dream now, but maybe someday...

Brewed Storms

Last night I was wakened to the sound of my single-paned window rattling in its frame. The screaming wind bore down on the house almost as violently as the pelting rain that hasn't stopped since early yesterday afternoon. My chance to get some more seeds sowed was rained out, as looks like will be the case today. Luckily I was able to get some work done on Sunday. I planted a row of onion starts Nathan had sowed inside in 4" pots back in March. Also some basil and cilantro seedlings sprouted at about the same time. Next to the onions I planted some hills of potatoes, four that I bought as seed potatoes (a purple variety), and three that sprouted in the newly tilled/composted garden as volunteers. A look at what's new in the garden since Sunday:

Basil(left) and Cilantro(right)

Onions

Potatoes

I (reluctantly) planted three tomato plants in our front garden (against the concrete stairs that lead to the front door). I chose to plant them because I felt they had become too leggy, too tall for the pots I had transplanted them into. I imagine moving them into bigger pots at this point wouldn't serve much purpose, since I would be planting them outside in another two weeks anyway. Hopefully this bout of wind and rain will not take too much of a toll, though I'm sure they're not too pleased at the moment. Once the weather improves I imagine their placement will be beneficial to their heat-loving tendencies, as the concrete wall they are planted against absorbs heat during the day and should radiate heat long into the evening, something tomatoes ought to appreciate. Between them I also planted some basil and cilantro. Today should find me drawing up plans to build a tunnel cloche (essentially a mini greenhouse constructed cheaply of pvc pipe and polyurethane plastic) where I hope to grow tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. At least that will keep me busy until the rain stops.

As of now the tomatoes are loosely held upright to the wooden rail with gardening twine. I will probably have to devise a more inventive support system as they begin growing more rapidly (as they are an indeterminate variety and require some type of staking), but for now, it will make do.