Good Things: April 2007 Archives

When we lived in the townhouse I didn't let the lack of a yard stop me from gardening. Those of you who replied to my gardening post shouldn't let it stop you either -if you really want some fresh produce this spring and summer. We had a super tiny backyard and I gardened in 2 little plots that were approximately 2 foot wide by 6 foot long running against the side fences that seperated us from the neighbors on either side. In those little plots I grew zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and lettuce. We had a major supply of squash and tomatoes all summer long. They grew like wildfire! The lettuce just couldn't compete and soon was taken over by the giant leaves of the squash. I grew lettuce and spinach in hanging baskets off the side of our back deck. I grew strawberry plants in a strawberry jar. We had a nice harvest of those too. I also had two cherry tomato plants that I grew in containers. Those things grew so crazy! They were in containers at ground level and by early fall they were over 10 feet tall and growing up the deck posts and railing. Every day was plenty of tomatoes for salads, for snacking and for giving away to the neighbors who were awed by the idea of growing your own vegetables. In the city. In a townhouse. In some little pots. If nothing else you can grow a salad in a couple of containers right on your deck or balcony or even a bright sunny window. Yes, you can. It doesn't have to be expensive either. I saw these planters just this past week 2 for $5. These containers can be found at the local dollar store for 2 or 3 dollars each. Punch a couple of drain holes in the bottoms if they don't already have them, add some rocks or broken pottery for drainage. Fill with potting soil. Miracle grow is pricey but it has plant food in it. Walmart sells a much cheaper potting soil $1.50 for 40lbs. Either way you have to feed the plants weekly to produce good vegetables. Into one container you could add one or two cherry tomato plants. (Remember as they grow they will need something for support.) Into another you could add a couple of cucumber seeds. (Cucumbers are a vine they will spill out of the container and creep along a banister or small trellis.) Into another you could sow a mixed lettuce seed. (Lettuce grows quickly. You could start seeds about 6 weeks after the first seeds so that you have a never ending supply for your salad bowl.) Place in a sunny place, add water as needed and watch your salad grow. You will be amazed at how much better those few little vegeables taste compared to what you buy at the grocery store. Come on. Give it a try. Don't say "I can't because I live in an apartment/city/tiny townhouse." Say, "I can even though I live in an apartment/city/tiny townhouse." It only takes a small pot of soil and a few seeds. You can do it. You have plenty of time. Especially those of you that live up here in Virginia where winter and spring are still butting heads. The weather is still cool. Lettuce LOVES cool weather. You have plenty of time to start seeds. Plan this weekend to get a few packs of seeds, some pots and soil. You will be glad you did. This week end we plan to start putting all of the seeds I started into the ground. Yipeee!