By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Planting tomatoes in a planter on the patio does not appeal to all gardeners.

Some individuals require more style from their patio plantings.

This is where understanding companion plantings comes into play and aids the tomato gardener in their planter creations.

A patio container needs to have a drainage holes in the bottom to prevent the plant material from rotting. This is very important when it comes to tomatoes.

Next, knowing what type of tomato will work for this type of planting is crucial. Determinate or patio tomatoes are the best types to use for container gardening.

Both these types do not require trellising Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Read Part 1

Containers allow the non-gardener, urban gardener or just the time-restrained gardener to have a “garden bed.”

They can come in all shapes and sizes from ones made of plastic or terra cotta, potting soil bags, to Topsy Turvy planters that can be homemade or store bought.

But regardless of what container you choose cleaning is an essential part of successful gardening.

Cleaning containers

Supplies

• Containers
• Bleach
• Bucket
• Water
• Scrub brush

Steps

1. Mix in Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

If you’re thinking about gardening this year but don’t think you have enough open green space or even time, you’re not alone—and nurseries are working hard to help you out by developing more and more plants and vegetables suitable for container gardening.

Container gardens are the latest trend according to Bruce Butterfield, research director for the National Gardening Association in South Burlington, Vermont as “’[p]eople are using their patios and balconies rather than get their hands dirty in the ground.”

Moreover, as lifetime gardeners age, Read the rest of this entry »