Preparing containers Almost anything can be used as a container. Almost any vegetable that can be grown in a garden will also work well as a containergrown plant. Nearly any type of container can be used for growing vegetable plants. Old washtubs, wooden crates, gallon-sized coffee cans, and even five-gallon buckets can be implemented for growing crops as long as they provide adequate drainage.
Hanging baskets Hanging baskets can be placed on the balcony or on suitable hangers. Numerous types of vegetables can be grown in hanging baskets, especially those with trailing characteristics. Peppers and cherry tomatoes not only look good in hanging baskets, so do trailing plants, such as the sweet potato vine, but they also thrive nicely in them. Keep them watered daily, however, since hanging baskets are more prone to drying out, especially during hot spells. Trellises can be used for the support of trailing or vine crops. A fence can also serve as a trellis for beans, peas, tomatoes and vine crops like squash and cucumbers. Using corn stalks or sunflowers is another great way to take advantage of vertical space while making interesting pole supports for beans and other climbing vegetables. Use a stepladder as a makeshift trellis to support vine-growing plants like pumpkins.
GOOD P ERF ORMERS
Aubergine ‘Mohican' AGM Basils ‘Minette’, ‘Siam Queen’ and ‘Sweet Genoese’ Chilli pepper ‘Prairie Fire’ Coriander Cucumber ‘Marketmore’ Lettuces ‘Salad Bowl’ AGM and ‘Salad Bowl Red’ AGM Oregano Parsley ‘Curlina’ Rocket Squash/ courgette ‘Tromboncino’ Tomatoes ‘Tumbling Tom Red’ and ‘Tumbling Tom Yellow’
DISAPP OINT ING P ERF ORMERS
Climbing French bean 'Violet Podded Stringless’ Nasturtium ‘African Queen’ Runner bean ‘Painted Lady’ Spring onion ‘Rossa Lunga di Firenze’
W HY VER T ICAL VEG?
• Makes great us e of space. • New selection of plants have be en specially bred to climb. • Vegetable clim bers look great w hen in full season. • Growing upwar ds gives them mor e light and freedom to romp. • Less likely to be hit by fungal prob lems. • They are out of the way of slugs he nce bigger yields and better crops.
HERE’S SOME GREAT OPTIONS TO TRY Climbing French bean ‘Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco' Usually available only as 'Lingua di Fuoco’ the glorious pods (and to a greater or lesser degree, the beans) are speckled crimson and cream. Beans are classic space saving crops and if you have space for only one make it this one. Beans hate cold so you can wait to sow until June. Station two beans per spot and thin out the weaker seedling. Provide plants grown against a fence with netting to climb up. Beans are thirsty so water well and mulch in summer to conserve water.
Courgette ‘Tromboncino’ The best of all the climbing courgettes although you could argue it’s a squash with a distinctive trombone shaped fruit which is delicious and tasty. The fruit can be eaten young as courgettes or allowed to grow a little more as a squash when ripe and orange. Sow seeds on the edges rather than flat as this prevents rotting. Place one plant per wigwam or arch in a sunny sheltered spot. Unlike most courgettes this cultivar has climbing tendrils which will take it up and over supports but remember to help plants in the fruit by tying in stems regularly as well.
Aubergine ‘Moneymaker’ Aubergines can struggle in the UK climate as they need a long, warm, sunny season to flower, fruit and ripen by autumn but you’ve a better chance than most that ‘Moneymaker’ will be successful. It’s a F. hybrid bred to cope with low temperatures and gives reliable crops. You need to sow early in March in a greenhouse. Once plants reach about 30cms pinch out the main tip to encourage sideshoots. Tie the plants in regularly to their supporting frames. Give a liquid feed every two weeks as soon as the first fruits start to appear. www.countrygardener.co.uk
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