Why Beginner Gardeners Should Start Planting In Pots First

Are you interested in growing some of your own food in a garden but don't have a lot of space? Container gardens are all the rage, and if you're a beginner, the advice is to start planting in pots first anyway. This is mainly because growing healthy plants in pots are more effortless due to a more easily controlled environment. There's less weed competition and fewer possible pest problems to deal with. Plus, you gain experience by starting on a smaller scale. Growing in containers also makes it possible for people without a large plot of land to grow some of their food.

There's an overwhelming trend toward organic gardening right now, and it's easy to understand why. The cost of food is sky-high as it is, never mind the exorbitant cost of healthier organic foods. Additives, chemicals, and processed foods are slowly killing us. We're always hearing about cruelty in animal processing plants. There is every good reason for growing your food and scarcely any drawbacks. That said, let's find out more about growing in pots for beginners.

Choosing the best containers for your garden is of the utmost importance. But to determine what kind of pots are best, you need to know what you want to grow. The pot size needs to accommodate the size of the plant's root system. For example, tomatoes need bigger pots than lettuce, which have shallow roots. Additionally, you need to make sure they have at least one decent drainage hole. The better the drainage, the healthier the plants. They should also be gallon-sized and 4 inches deep.

But one of the neatest things about container gardens is that you can use several different types of receptacles, and they don't have to be expensive. They don't have to be made for plants; you can get creative! For example, baskets can be used. You can buy pots or make them; just add drainage holes. Five-gallon buckets make terrific containers for growing vegetables. Since drain holes are so important, if you have a container 4 to 6 inches in diameter, you'll need three to six holes and six to eight holes for larger ones. Your drain holes should be about ¼ inch in diameter.

If you're a beginner, you might also be curious about the easiest edible plants to grow in a container garden. Some are tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peas, squash, and peppers. Potatoes will need large containers because they grow to maturity underground. Lettuce plants have a shallow root system and don't require large pots to grow healthy.

Radishes grow quickly, easily, and without needing much space. They only need containers 4 to 6 inches deep and are typically ready for picking within four weeks. You'll need a larger container for eggplant varieties like Hansel or Fairytale, which grow like miniature versions on small bushes. To grow tomatoes, you should consider getting a tomato cage to support the bushy vines when they have fruit on them. Cherry tomatoes, in particular, are ideal for container gardens. Just start them inside and slowly acclimate them by hardening them off. If you're a beginner gardener, start growing in pots to give your plants the best chance of success. You'll be able to show off a green thumb in no time!