How would I start a little garden using big pots?

Question

I am interested in growing some tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce...stuff like that and get like the big plasic bucket container type things, what should i get in order to get started and I live in southwestern oregon..so when would be a good time to start planting the seeds and whatnot?

Answer 1

Generally the best time is mid June to early July. Since tomatoes and other veggies don't do well in our wet climate, you want the spring rains to have stopped. But this makes for a short growing season, so most gardeners will start plants indoors first to give them a head start.

I find that once you start seeing the plants for sale at the garden centers/ Fred Meyer, etc. it is generally a good time to put yours in the ground. I also found that the more sun they can get, the better they do. And you want blight resistant varieties like beef stake or cherry tomatoes - otherwise the vigorous growth may be for nothing as the fruit and plant will rot before the tomatoes ripen. Cucumbers and other vegatables are a little easier, but I like to train my cucumbers on rose trellises. And the all do well in the big buckets - they sell these are places like Fred Meyer and Wal-mart once the growing season starts.

Answer 2

Planting time here in Alabama is around Good Friday in April, but I am sure that will be different for you.

As for what to use, I use 5 gallon buckets for my tomatoes, filled about halfway with soil, then I use wooden slats every 4 inches or so apart and run string around it for the vines to climb. I don't plant lettuce in containers, but I have grown carrots as well as cucumbers in them. Cucumbers have long runners, so you will need to make sure you allow plenty of room for those runners to grow. For carrots, you can use the containers you speak of, just make sure the soil is deep enough to support their growth. Just read the package on the seeds, it should clarify. I have also grown onions in pots, if you like onions.

Answer 3

Plant a few plants in one large pot that has the same temperments, i.e. soil, water and sun prefernces. Just be sure to leave plenty of room for growth and spreading. (Cucumbers get real big real fast!) Plant seeds usually after the last frost. (Check your pkg.)

Answer 4

they should be nice till eventually about 5 or 6" tall and root certain. save them properly watered and watch for the elements to get hotter. do not plant them at the same time they receives their roots entangled. start up exposing them outdoors if the elements is compliant in the course of the day.

Answer 5

They have starter kits on ebay cheap. here's a direct link

Answer 6

Wait until the fall....
of next year.

Answer 7

hydroponics........ pass that sh!t on down....