Newbie - Growing Food in Flower Pots / Containers?

[twisted.angel]

Hello

I am a complete beginner to gardening. I would love to be able to grow some fruit and vegetables with my children in containers on the patio if possible. Would love them to learn where food comes from, how to grown their own healthy food as well as a bonding thing to do together.

Not sure where to start as i tried reading up on it and confused when things should be sowed etc.

Any recommendations on foods suitable for containers ?

Just do not know where to start

Thank you for any advice or help.

[Two_Sheds]

i tried reading up on it and confused when things should be sowed

Get a good book, perhaps from your .library. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patio-Produc...2144798&sr=1-4

Seed packets tell you when to sow things.

Just do not know where to start

First thing is to make a list of what you want to grow. What do you eat?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...read_5662.html

[WendyC]

Sounds like a fantastic project for you and your family. I would start with what you and the children like to eat. From experience cherry tomatoes and peas are popular with children. Tipping out a pot of potatoes and digging for treasure is fun for adults and children alike. They seem to like picking and eating from the plant. Also if you are starting, just grow a few crops well and extend your range as you gain in experience.

[darcyvuqua]

If I said it once I have said it a thousand times peas......Kids love them
How old are they please dont say mid 30's

[Potstubsdustbins]

It is possible to grow most fruit and veg in containers if you use the right container and look after the plants correctly.

As others have said I would make a list of what you would like to grow and then ask here for advice on that particular plant.

Easy and quick growing plants are a good place to start with children as they get to see/eat the end product which keeps their interest up.

Colin

[GardenNinja]

Hi TwistedAngel, I started growing vegetables on my balcony last year and got completely hooked. It's amazing what you can grow in a small space and the taste difference makes it all worth it. This forum is a great starting point as everyone is so helpful and friendly. There are loads of helpful threads which are easy to find with the search function above.

Here's a balcony gardening blog that I found really helpful: Vertical Veg – inspiring and supporting food growing in tiny spaces

Some easy, quick growing veg for kids include radishes, salad leaves, and strawberries (buy plug plants). Tomatoes take some time to mature, but are one of the most rewarding when you finally get ripe fruits in abundance. Below are some pictures of my very first balcony garden. I'm going to try to fit even more in this summer

[alex-adam]

Hi Vicky, and welcome to the Vine - lots of advice here from expeienced and friendly gardeners who are happy to share their knowledge.

Some good advice already posted above, and you might find this link helpful: Vegetables in containers / Royal Horticultural Society

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[Likac66]

Up until this year I have grown all my veg in pots and have grown loads of different things. I would agree, potatoes are easy enough in the sacks you can get but they do take a lot of compost which can get expensive. One of my best and easiest crops has been mangetout - I planted about 6-8 plants in a large round pot and built a pyramid of canes for them to grow up. They grow quickly and flower prettily before the pods set.

[Two_Sheds]

potatoes are easy enough in the sacks you can get but they do take a lot of compost which can get expensive.

- supplement the compost with homemade leafmould, grass clippings etc
- reuse the compost next year

[Pumpkin Becki]

Growing in containers is lots of fun, but it is really important to grow what you like to eat.
In pots, I like growing: carrots (you can get little round ones which are quite quick), french beans, tomatoes, blueberries, herbs, salads, celery...the worlds your lobster really

[Rhoda]

Think about what fruit and vegetales your children like. Maybe go to Wilkos or somewhere and have a look, buy a selection of seeds or buy plants.

Last year I grew french beans, runner beans, strawberries, tomatoes, rhubarb, chillis and alpine strawberries all in containers and had very good crops from all.

If you have a pound shop/99p shop/Aldi/Lidl near you they have a huge range of things you can choose from. I have bought many gardening things and all have done well. Aldi plants were fab!! I bought varieties I never knew existed, planted them and away I went. French beans didn't look great to start but with a little tlc were all fine.

Good luck! Everything will be fine

[WPG]

GardenNinja, your balcony garden looks fabulous!