Why wont my outdoor container garden thrive?

Question

I have an outdoor container garden because where we live our back yard is all rocks. There is no dirt to plant in but I still wanted fresh herbs and some veggies.

I have tomatoes, garlic, Snap peas, and some herbs. The tomatoes seem to be staying the same. Not growing, nothing. The peas died completely (were vining up the side of the house, I think the house cooked the plants! Im in California) and everything else is just not getting bigger.
I water every day, used miracle grow soil.
Is there a secret i dont know?

Answer 1

You need to buy plants that accept containers for homes. Look for varities of tomatoes that are condusive to a pot. Tomatoes have a long tap root and many fibrous roots. They need a lot of space and a huge container. Cherry tomatoes are the most condusive to pots. Peas come up early in the season and are a cold weather crop. Once they are in the sun for too long, they die. Peas are not at all happy in a container. Peppers do well in containers, especially chili peppers. Herbs are very slow growing but depending on the herb, they need a lot of room and a lot of pot. Sage would not be good in a pot but Basil should do great. Garlic just is not a container plant but chives will do fantastic in a pot. If your plants are in total sun all day, create some afternoon shade. Some plants just cannot take a full day California sun.

Answer 2

I live in the north San Francisco bay area. I have been growing tomatoes for the past ten years in containers. I like to think that I've learned a bit.
First of all I do not use the same soil two years in a row. I used to use Super Soil, but changed to Miracle Grow Garden Soil. I like it much better. I just use the old soil around my garden and it works great. I have had some very nice tomatoes over the years. I tried to grow some peas a couple years back and didn't have much luck with them either. I just wish I had a larger yard to grow more. I hope I was of some use to you. Good luck.

Answer 3

Sounds like you are watering too much. I also have a container garden and I live in central CA. Everything grows fine for me. I started with compost that I bought at walmart and I also use mircle grow. I water about once a week and a bit more often when the temp. goes up. My tamatos are just getting a hold and seem to be doing ok. No flowers yet I usually wait till the weekend after Easter to plant anything. There's a great book by a guy named Jerry Baker on organic gardening. Check out his web site when you have time. I bought one of his books and it has been very helpful over the past few years.

Answer 4

Hmmm... I think also perhaps part of the problem may be overcrowding. Generally tomatoes need a square foot of space by themselves. Peas also need room and a trellis to grow up.

Maybe try getting a couple more pots and seperating out the plants and see if they fare any better.

Answer 5

Ttomatos need a lot of drainage-use stones or broken pot sherds at the bottom after repotting. Peas like it cool, so they probably were baked. Water every other day.