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JUNE 2023 HOME 3 Vegetable gardening is on the rise again. Supply chain issues, inflation and other factors now make it more lucrative to grow your own. Not to mention the difference in quality and flavor. The problem is many people now live in situations where having an actual veg- etable garden isn't possible anymore. That doesn't mean you have to stop. It means you'll have to start to garden a new way, and a way I think you're going to enjoy. Any vegetable can be grown in a con- tainer. I've seen everything from corn being grown in a bathtub, onions and beans grown in a window box, garlic grown in a shoe, hot peppers in an old tractor tire, tomatoes in old whisky bar- rels, flowers in a piano, and potatoes in a grow bag. Repurposing things is also trendy these days, why not be creative with your veggie containers as well. Just make sure the con- tainers work for what you want to grow. There are some basic factors to look for in a container. Matching container with purpose First, the size of the container should match the plants you are growing. Second, make sure it has adequate drainage. Third, color can make a difference. Cool weather crops do better in light colored containers and warm weather crops do better in dark. Fourth, if you're using hanging baskets, which are great for strawberries, line them with sphagnum moss to help retain moisture. Now, what kind of soil should we use? First, never use soil from an existing garden or flower bed. It can contain insects and disease. What you're looking for is a mix that is well-drained, yet still holds water well. I use a mix of a good sterile, soil-less container mix with a healthy portion of compost. The container mix provides great drainage and the com- post fertilizer and moisture retention. Contain those vegetables Container gardening requires planning, but is virtually weed-free MICHAEL TIMM Photo by Michael Timm There are many reasons for container gardening, among them is the lack of space to plant them in a yard. Gardeners can also have fun putting plants in unique or repurposed containers, including whisky barrels, once you get them home from the garden shop. See CONTAINERS/PAGE 5