Veggies in pots/baskets?

lucylollipop

I've only recently moved into my new flat, and, for the first time ever, have some space to grow things! I've got a little balcony, and the previous tenant has left a selection of baskets and tubs out there, and I'd love to get some stuff planted up.

I'm mainly interested in basics really - carrots, lettuce, tomato etc. I've also just been given a pepper plant, by a neighbour, which already has a couple of small fruits on it, so any hints on how to look after that would be fab.

I get bright sunshine all morning, into the early afternoon.

Any suggestions for what would be best out there?

Lucy

cjb02

it is a bit late in the years for lots of things. but you can still plant a few things.

lettuce can still be planted now. in pot and you will get small lettuce leaves. radishes, they take 4-8weeks to grow. so you could get some of those.

toms and carrots will have to wait till next year I would imagine now but both can be grown in pots.

the pepper plant. put it in a pot, make sure it is watered each day and that should be fine. the peppers should keep on growing and producing.

good luck Lucy

Lotus-eater

You could try carrots as well, I was reading the other day that carrots planted into Autumn can do well.

It's sort of the time to start thinking about using winter lettuces to be sowing.

The pepper plant will probably be better off inside.

It does depend how sheltered your balcony is, sun is all well and good, but high winds will stop many things growing well.

kimmee

cjb02 wrote: »

the pepper plant. put it in a pot, make sure it is watered each day and that should be fine. the peppers should keep on growing and producing.

I agree, but would add that you should feed it every week, a tomato feed will be fine.

Good luck, it's addictive!!

lucylollipop

Thanks all! I've got some lettuce and radish seeds, and a grow bag, so I'll give that a go - worst that happens, I don't get anything this year, and have to try again in spring, I can live with that! Not really had any strong wind up here, it gets a bit breezy every now and then, but i've still been sat outside in it, so can't be that bad.

I'm off to look for a slightly bigger pot for the pepper later, but it looks pretty happy right now, it's already got 4-5 fruits growing on it, and I think it's got a couple more coming too. Good really, I love peppers!

Lucy

Want2Bdebtfree_3

Hi there

I have a 60ft garden and grow all my veg in my flower bed or in pots. There are lots of nice winter lettuce seeds you can get I was growing radishes last year in the garden through winter and they actually did better than my summer ones. I am just about to put carrots in now in my pots also ready for winter carrots so give it ago. I am even going to stick some Kale in long pot ... its amazing what grows... parsnips in a deep pot not too late and you are just about ok to get some christmas potatoes going now. Good luck its fun I love it and have saved a fortune this year in lettuce, green beans, sprouts, Spring onions and beetroot - strawberries grow them next year in a pot : ) Just waiting for my toms to go red! good luck

prbaxter

one thing worth mentioning is plants in pots are almost totally reliant on you for watering - even if they're outside and it rains a lot.
We grow lots of veg in planters and strawberries are also very good in pots. Strawberry plants do better after a good frosty winter.

Many herbs will grow throughout the year (sages, mints, rosemary, etc...) so you can throw some of these in for lasting results throughout the season. You might struggle with Mediterranean herbs at this time of year (e.g. basil). They will also make your balcony nice and fragrant.

lucylollipop

I've already got strawberries and a herb pot planned for next year - a friend has offered me one of those planter thingies, big tub with lots of little gaps in it for different stuff, so hopefully I can fit the herbs I use (only 3 or 4), and a couple of strawberry plants, all in the same planter - it's got 8 or 10 gaps on it, she coudn't remember which, but should be plenty for me.

Still debating whether to do potatoes or not, I only really buy/eat baking potatoes, as not a big fan of new pots, and only really eat them baked, roast, or mashed, but I guess they'd be fine for roasting or mashing, so might be worth doing - would probably save me a bit in the long run! And I'll definitely put a couple of tomato plants in in the spring, can't beat homegrown tomatoes

whowants2brich

lucylollipop wrote: »

I've already got strawberries and a herb pot planned for next year - a friend has offered me one of those planter thingies, big tub with lots of little gaps in it for different stuff, so hopefully I can fit the herbs I use (only 3 or 4), and a couple of strawberry plants, all in the same planter - it's got 8 or 10 gaps on it, she coudn't remember which, but should be plenty for me.

I'd recommend against putting herbs and strawberries in the same pot. Be very very careful. Some herbs love to take over, and you'll find that the strawberries will struggle/die as a result. Your best bet would be to have a strawberry planter growing several strawberries successfully, and to have another big pot with various herbs. If you can put something in to divide up the pot, and stop roots from mixing and causing trouble, even better. Otherwise, to make sure your herbs don't compete, use individual pots for each one, and stand all the pots in a shared tray to help with watering...

Good luck, this is the first year for me with a garden too, and I'm having loads of fun, and remarkable success. Expect to get nothing, and be pleasantly surprised when your hard work and effort pays back. Oh, and remember, it always takes longer for things to grow than you anticipate...!

FOURCANDLES_2

Beetroot, leeks all can still be done it pots .

lucylollipop

whowants2brich wrote: »

I'd recommend against putting herbs and strawberries in the same pot. Be very very careful. Some herbs love to take over, and you'll find that the strawberries will struggle/die as a result. Your best bet would be to have a strawberry planter growing several strawberries successfully, and to have another big pot with various herbs. If you can put something in to divide up the pot, and stop roots from mixing and causing trouble, even better. Otherwise, to make sure your herbs don't compete, use individual pots for each one, and stand all the pots in a shared tray to help with watering...

Ah, thanks for this. I'll bear it in mind!