5 Best Container Eddibles for Beginer Gardeners

Its always frustrating to start a gardening project such as growing vegetables and have poor results… Maybe you are selecting the wrong eddible.

1. Tomatoes: They are easy to grow in containers and produce a large yield. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them a versatile option for any patio or balcony. 
2. Peppers: These are another great option for container gardening as they are relatively small and easy to grow. They come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and heat levels, making them a fun and flavorful addition to any container garden.
3. Lettuce: This leafy green is perfect for container gardening as it grows quickly and doesn’t require much space. It is also versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.
4. Herbs: Many herbs, such as basil, arugula, cilantro, and parsley, are well-suited to container gardening. They are easy to grow and add flavor to a variety of dishes.
5. Cucumbers: These are a great option for container gardening as they can be trained to grow vertically and don’t require much space. They are also easy to grow and produce a large yield.

HOW TO GROW TOMATOES AND PEPPERS: 

Growing tomatoes and peppers in a container is a great way to enjoy fresh, homegrown tomatoes even if you don’t have a lot of space. Here are some tips for growing tomatoes in containers:

1. Choose a container: Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, with drainage holes at the bottom.

2. Use the right soil: Use a high-quality potting soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Peppers prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. 

3. Plant the seedlings: Plant the seedlings about two inches deep and two feet apart. Be sure to support the seedlings with a stake or cage to help them grow upright.

4. Provide adequate light: Tomatoes need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you don’t have a lot of natural light, consider using grow lights.

5. Water regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Check the soil moisture daily and water as needed.

6. Fertilize: Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so be sure to fertilize them regularly with a balanced fertilizer or compost.

7. Pinch and prune: Pinch off suckers (the shoots that grow between the stem and branches) and prune the foliage to promote air circulation and healthy growth.

8. Watch out for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for common tomato pests and diseases, such as tomato hornworms, aphids, and blight, and take appropriate action if necessary.

9. Harvest: Tomatoes will be ready to harvest when they are fully ripe, usually after 60 to 90 days. The color of peppers will change from green to red, yellow, orange or purple depending on the variety.

HOW TO GROW LETTUCE: 

To grow lettuce from seeds, you will need the following items:

• Lettuce seeds
• Seed starting Potting soil 
• Containers or a garden bed
• Water

1. Fill your containers or prepare your garden bed with potting soil. water the soil evenly before sowing the seeds. 
2. Sow the seeds 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch deep. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so make sure to don’t sow them too deep. Some growers sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly press them down.
3. Water the seeds gently, making sure to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
4. Place the containers or build the bed in an area that receives plenty of indirect light.
5. Once seedlings have emerged, thin them out if they are too close together.
6. Lettuce is a cool-season crop, so it’s best to grow it during the cooler months of the year. however in GA can be planted in early fall or early spring.Lettuce will enjoy cool temperatures and can even tolerate a light frost, but extremely cold or hot weather will cause it to perish.
7. Harvest lettuce leaves as needed, starting with outer leaves and leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.

Note: Lettuce seeds can be sown directly into the soil or started indoors and transplanted outside later. If you choose to start indoors, sow the seeds in seed trays or pots and keep them in a warm place until they germinate.

HOW TO GROW HERBS

To grow herbs from seed, you will need:

1. Seeds of the herb you want to grow
2. Potting soil or seed-starting mix
3. Containers or seed trays with drainage holes
4. A sunny location or grow light
5. Fill the containers or seed trays with the potting soil or seed-starting mix.
6. Plant the seeds according to the package instructions or at a depth of about three times the width of the seed.
7. Water the soil and keep it moist but not waterlogged.
8. Place the containers or seed trays in a sunny location or under grow lights.
9. Keep the soil consistently moist and wait for the seeds to germinate, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the herb.
10. Once the seedlings have sprouted and grown their first set of true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or a prepared garden bed.
11. Continue to care for your herbs by keeping the soil consistently moist, fertilizing them and giving them enough light as they grow.

HOW TO GROW CUCUMBERS

To grow cucumbers from seed, you will need:

1. Cucumber seeds
2. Potting soil or seed-starting mix
3. Containers or seed trays with drainage holes
4. A sunny location or grow light
5. Fill the containers or seed trays with the potting soil or seed-starting mix.
6. Plant the seeds according to the package instructions or at a depth of about ¼ inch deep.
7. Water the soil and keep it moist but not waterlogged.
8. Place the containers or seed trays in a sunny location or under grow lights.
9. Keep the soil consistently moist and wait for the seeds to germinate, which can take up to a week.
10. Once the seedlings have sprouted and grown their first set of true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or a prepared garden bed.
11. Cucumber plants need a lot of space to grow, so make sure to space the plants at least 18-24 inches apart.
12. Cucumbers need support so you can use a trellis, stake or cage for them to climb.
13. Keep the soil consistently moist and fertilize the plants regularly with a balanced fertilizer for best results.
14. Cucumbers are warm-weather plants, so wait to plant them until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.

Fun links:

This is my favorite place to buy seeds: www.edenbrothers.com

Another fun place to check out www.rareseeds.com