Container Gardening

amandajane · 01-03-2008, 04:27 PM

Does anyone here grow veggies in containers? I'm not at all versed in the art of gardening so would welcome any feedback.

From what I can gather it could save me a reasonable amount of money as vegetable prices here in NZ are high, especially around Christmas. Celery is $3.50 at the moment, and leeks are $1.80 each!

Any ideas on what would be good to plant and if I need to get some fertilizer etc? Lettuce and tomatoes are on the list. I'm wondering about cucumbers too. :0)

Joanne · 01-03-2008, 04:58 PM

I too have become very interested in growing some of my own food. I tried to grow herbs (basil. parsley & oregano) but my iguana ate them all. LOL Next time I'll have to do it outside of the screen room.

I also tried to grow lettuce (romaine) and got one good batch and that was it. I think lettuce has to be planted every year. It didn't come out as crisp as I wanted so that's something I need to work on.

My goal is to grow enough veggies for us and the iguana and to also have some fruit trees.

I wish you luck and I hope you post about your progress!

amandajane · 01-03-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks! I will :0) I'm going to do a bit of net research. If I come up with any good links I'll post them here.

Joanne · 01-03-2008, 05:41 PM

Amanda...here's some links that I had saved that might be useful to you.

Watch Your Garden Grow

Specific Vegetables

Organic Gardening Tips

This place has great forums for all types of gardening.

amandajane · 01-03-2008, 10:26 PM

Thanks Joanne :0) I'll check them out.

I'm rather excited now, I'm going to get my 9 year old involved, he'd enjoy it I think and it'd keep him busy.

Savio · 01-04-2008, 02:50 AM

I read some of the links. And the whole idea of growing veggies at home is quite interesting. Best luck to you and yes please keep us updated on your progess. If I ever grow a garden, I don't think I could devote it enough time. College and social life eats up most of my time.

Joanne · 01-04-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandajane

I'm rather excited now, I'm going to get my 9 year old involved, he'd enjoy it I think and it'd keep him busy.

That's great! My daughters (9 and 12) are really into it. We actually started a butterfly garden a few months ago, which is still a work in progress. We all took a class together and then decided to start our own. It's been a lot of fun! We've seen some beautiful butterflies.

amandajane · 01-04-2008, 05:00 PM

Thanks Savio :0)

Joanne, hi again. Wow, a butterfly garden sounds great :0) Unfortunately there's nowhere to plant here, it's all lawn and I don't think the landlord would appreciate me digging it up :0)

Do you have Monarchs there? There's a Monarch farm just down the road from me, it's a great place to take my son and get some photos. Surprising how little they are spooked by humans with big fat cameras staring at them, lol.

Joanne · 01-04-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandajane

Unfortunately there's nowhere to plant here, it's all lawn and I don't think the landlord would appreciate me digging it up

We did the whole thing in pots.

It's a work in progress and has been an amazing experience. We hosted about 25 caterpillars and half of them made their chrysalis in our back yard.

Quote:

Do you have Monarchs there?

We have monarchs and black swallowtails. They're so beautiful. I have great pictures of my daughter holding one just after it came out of it's chrysalis and couldn't fly yet.

It was amazing, I'll post some pictures over the weekend.

amandajane · 01-04-2008, 09:23 PM

I bet your daughter was entranced :0) We don't have Swallow Tails here, they look just beautiful.

Looking forward to your pictures!

01-03-2008, 04:27 PM	#1
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Container Gardening Does anyone here grow veggies in containers? I'm not at all versed in the art of gardening so would welcome any feedback. From what I can gather it could save me a reasonable amount of money as vegetable prices here in NZ are high, especially around Christmas. Celery is $3.50 at the moment, and leeks are $1.80 each! Any ideas on what would be good to plant and if I need to get some fertilizer etc? Lettuce and tomatoes are on the list. I'm wondering about cucumbers too. :0)

01-04-2008, 02:50 AM	#6
Savio Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Reputation: (20)	I read some of the links. And the whole idea of growing veggies at home is quite interesting. Best luck to you and yes please keep us updated on your progess. If I ever grow a garden, I don't think I could devote it enough time. College and social life eats up most of my time. __________________ A man should control his life. Mine is controlling me. --Rudolph Valentino.

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01-03-2008, 04:58 PM	#2
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Reputation: (43)	I too have become very interested in growing some of my own food. I tried to grow herbs (basil. parsley & oregano) but my iguana ate them all. LOL Next time I'll have to do it outside of the screen room. I also tried to grow lettuce (romaine) and got one good batch and that was it. I think lettuce has to be planted every year. It didn't come out as crisp as I wanted so that's something I need to work on. My goal is to grow enough veggies for us and the iguana and to also have some fruit trees. I wish you luck and I hope you post about your progress!

01-03-2008, 05:21 PM	#3
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Thanks! I will :0) I'm going to do a bit of net research. If I come up with any good links I'll post them here.

01-03-2008, 05:41 PM	#4
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Reputation: (43)	Amanda...here's some links that I had saved that might be useful to you. Watch Your Garden Grow Specific Vegetables Organic Gardening Tips This place has great forums for all types of gardening.

01-03-2008, 10:26 PM	#5
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Thanks Joanne :0) I'll check them out. I'm rather excited now, I'm going to get my 9 year old involved, he'd enjoy it I think and it'd keep him busy.

01-04-2008, 05:00 PM	#8
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Thanks Savio :0) Joanne, hi again. Wow, a butterfly garden sounds great :0) Unfortunately there's nowhere to plant here, it's all lawn and I don't think the landlord would appreciate me digging it up :0) Do you have Monarchs there? There's a Monarch farm just down the road from me, it's a great place to take my son and get some photos. Surprising how little they are spooked by humans with big fat cameras staring at them, lol.

01-04-2008, 09:23 PM	#10
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	I bet your daughter was entranced :0) We don't have Swallow Tails here, they look just beautiful. Looking forward to your pictures!