Growing in Containers (Q&A)

Container gardening is a great way to grow more plants. Gardener Scott discusses how to grow in containers, offers tips for successful gardening, answers common gardening questions, shares gardening philosophy, and more. (May, 6, 2024)
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[@tennesseenana4838]

Missed the Livestream. I grow about 85% of my plants in 18-Gallon storage totes from Walmart - $7. They're #5 food safe. I grow all of my zucchini and watermelon in them using a tomato cage as a trellis. I put holes in the bottom and a 2-inch layer of garden sticks to help with drainage.

[@cynsim]

Since moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast I have found container gardening the only thing I can keep squirrels from destroying. Everything in ground they think is all for them. I use grow bags in kiddie pools for tomatoes. Greenstalk tower for cucumbers and bush beans.

[@rickthelian2215]

Warning tires are toxic, and waterlogged you must drill sidewalks on the bottom side on each tire to let water out.

[@rickthelian2215]

Watching what I missed last night before I caught the end of the show😊 I get free flower buckets from a supermarket flower stand at times but no holes but easy to do😊 That’s nice with frosting buckets. I use composting bins turned upside down as bottom is wider for potatoes 🥔 I wonder if you can over winter your peppers in your greenhouse or bring inside container. Containers of huge sizes needs bricks etc to drain properly😢 Air pruning pots are an option😊 In China they have plastic inserts to stop soil exiting the pot. Cicadas where bad this year in Sydney Australia, they were loud, lots of frogs too, hence food.😊 Biochar the smaller the more surface area for fungi etc.

[@ninemoonplanet]

I have nothing but containers for growing my plants, and they're handy if the weather goes to one extreme or the other, very hot days, the plants can move to shade, very cool days, they can be individually covered or moved where they get sun, warmth from walls, or protection from cold winds. One inconvenient thing is that the soils need to be refreshed yearly. Mix old 25% with manure, compost and dried leaves, grass clippings, even shredded paper mixed in. To reduce soil loss, there's the fabric used to suppress weeds cut to fit across the bottom and slightly up the sides.

[@sandy-rr1by]

Saw 1st cicada today. North alabama

[@monicam.8006]

Could you possibly do an episode on how contradictory gardening advice can be? Here's some I've been hearing regarding how to water. 1)If you have snails, don't water. 2) Water more if you have tomatoes. (I have both, simultaneously, in my garden) 3) Water in the morning so that the plants can absorb it into their roots. 4) Water in the afternoon to give the plants relief from the sun. 4) Water in the evening so that the plants can absorb the water all night. 5) Water at night so that the sun doesn't evaporate anything. 6) Water the roots only. 7) Water overhead. That's where rain comes from. 8) Water based on how your garden is oriented in the compass: East- everyday, West/North- every 3 days, South- once a week. 9) Water only when the ground is dry. 10) Water regularly to help root growth. 11) Water intermittently at various times of the day or night. 12) If it rains, you don't need to water. 13) Water after it rains to make sure your plants are getting enough water. 14) Look to the leaves to see if you're watering too much. 15) Look at the roots to see if you're watering too much. 16) Look to the soil to see if you're watering too much. I can continue. Help would be nice, please

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a number of videos that discuss much of the "advice" you identify. It can be a good livestream.

[@GardenerScott]

This video may help for now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoDWqHikgrh4irM

[@marthathompson2012]

There is no situation on earth in which I would feel compelled to water multiple times per day-unless I was starving and absolutely dependent upon those particular plants! Daily is far more than I’m usually willing to do!

[@laurabartoletti6412]

Firstly , happy Springtime planting Great Gardener Scott ! Thanks for teaching gardening skills & ideas ! 🪴

[@vickymyers3804]

I have acreage but the bind weed has awaken all over in the past years to everywhere now so growing in totes over a 100 now and getting more all the time until I can get wood to build beds on legs. Also have pots and planter boxes to grow in.

[@D4ni3773]

Lovely chat! Great video!

[@Barrell60]

Thank You

[@cynsim]

I was chased by cicadas when living in Texas, they will be aggressive to protect their territory.

[@dmick9168]

my issue with growing tomatoes in containers has been dealing with blossom end rot. In the ground I do not have this issue. The problem is, once a tomato plant gets big, it usually dries the container fairly quickly. It would be better to have a fabric grow bag sitting in a tray full of water (at all times) to avoid the issue.

[@lightwavz]

I do tomatoes in GroBuckets. I am on year 3 with them and I am really happy with the results. On hot days, I might have to water daily and fertilize more often, but I love the results!

[@dmick9168]

@@lightwavz is this a self watering system?

[@classicrocklover5615]

I avoid grow bags for this reason. It's similar to growing in unglazed terracotta: the pots wick the water from the soil. I prefer large plastic pots, but with deep trays under them. I water the pot to saturation, then I fill an inch or two in the tray. The water will wick up into the soil. I usually water once a week, at the most. I am in Michigan, (viva LA Zone 5).

[@GardenerScott]

The primary cause of blossom end rot is inconsistent watering. As you point out, containers can dry quickly with big plants and that will promote BER.

[@rickthelian2215]

Can we look at buying soil bags vs Bulk buying at nurseries or soil centres that sell potting soil in bulk? I’ve seen a tower garden takes up to 3 big bags of Green Frog Garden Soil.

[@GardenerScott]

I'm planning a livestream on soil in the next week or two. I'll be sure to talk about bulk vs bag.

[@mikeswanson501]

Do I have to harden off onion seedlings, whether in ground or containers?

[@cherylmcnaughton7287]

Good question - I have seen both.

[@GardenerScott]

Onions are very hardy, but I do harden them off for a few days before planting.

[@marycochran-mm6hy]

Do you need to have some kind of bottom under the fabric to prevent rotting?

[@GardenerScott]

They can be used on top of soil or concrete and that helps dissipate excess moisture. I haven't had a problem with rotting.

[@feliciabrasuell1997]

Thanks for sharing. I love your channel>>>> QUESTION?? In your soil mix that you make, with the 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts compost. 1 part perlite, how many parts of the IV ORGANICS do you add to the mix? THANKS.... Please keep sending your knowledge our way.....

[@GardenerScott]

It's about one cup per two cubic feet. When I make a batch of potting mix in a big tub I add one-half to one cup of IV Organic fertilizer.

[@feliciabrasuell1997]

@@GardenerScott thank you so much for your help and the quick response!!!!!!!!!

[@waynesell3681]

Gardener Scott, I have two blueberries in containers. They are blooming. My question is what is a good fertilizer for them? The pH is more about neutral than low. What would be best ph for them? Will look for your video on growing blueberries in containers. Thank you much

[@GardenerScott]

You can find balanced fertilizers for acid loving plants at most nurseries and garden centers. They prefer a pH of 4 - 5.5.

[@waynesell3681]

@@GardenerScott thank you

[@vickymyers3804]

Mice ate holes in my grow bags so won't use them any more.

[@keekeemyfirstcat8410]

I grow in 5 gallon buckets. I don't think mice would have a chance.

[@francestaylor9156]

@@keekeemyfirstcat8410- if they’re desperate, mice and squirrels will chew through plastic. It’s probably too much of a risk though. I know squirrels will chew up plastic in bird seed holders bc they see the payoff.

[@eddieslittlestack7919]

Eh GS, making a starting soil mix… Any concern about the compost component having bug/fly/knat egg/lava in it? I’ve heard of ppl putting compost in the over 1st, but that seems too much effort & not scalable.

[@eddieslittlestack7919]

Watch the whole live stream GS Great chat!

[@GardenerScott]

I use bagged compost in my mixes and I've never had a problem with bugs in it. If you use homemade compost that could be a concern if it wasn't a hot pile.

[@RokkTheRock]

i would like to say it is possible to grow big plants, especially trees, in containers. bonsai. itll be a ton, ton, ton of care and its own project on its own and youll not get the full growth of the plant but it is possible

[@lightwavz]

You inspired me to order another GreenStalk since we enjoyed setting up the first one. Now I have a 42 of everbearing strawberries and have a 30 on the way. I really appreciated the discount code! 🎉🪴