[–] nosejobsforequality 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
there's all kinds of great advice from other goats in here, so I won't get into much.. just a few pointers.
Only try to grow things you and your family want to eat. We planted radishes once and my wife maybe ate like 2 of them sliced up in salads, the rest of the harvest just went to compost.
Think about your space and how to use it best. Some plants are bigger than others, some vine, some grow straight up and down... some need support, some don't.
look at light and water requirements before you make a decision. Some plants can't handle direct afternoon sun, others may need a full 12 hours of sun per day.
consider the soil requirements. (most fruits and veggies need similar stuff, but some berries need a different PH level in the soil and root veggies like a different soil consistency than fruiting veggies)
Keep it simple - If you like tomatoes and green beans and jalapenos, just grow those 3 things this first year. Don't try to do 30 pots, just do a couple of each. If you bite off too much, it's a chore rather than a hobby and you'll burn out the first season.
learn how to can/preserve whatever you grow. (the first year I did hot peppers in my new garden I was excited to put in several plants and harvested like 20lbs of peppers. don't let a harvest like that go to waste!)
ask questions! (older locals are probably your best resource. they know the climate, soil, etc in the area) but ask 'em here too. wherever.
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] ago
Thank you, for number 5 especially. It is wise to not get too excited and start slow. This I will keep in mind.
[–] nosejobsforequality 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
no worries - oh, and some have cautioned against starting from seed as if it's more difficult. (i find it to be super-easy and I get a near 100% germination rate our of my tomatoes... but I have the space to set up a grow area in my basement with the pots on heat mats under grow-lights) - tomatoes are the easiest thing to grow. plant them in good soil with the right nutrients, keep them watered. keep them in the sun, keep them supported.
Cucumbers are also super-easy, but you need trellis space.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] LoveIsBlind 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Tomatoes, peppers, whatever herbs you like to use for cooking and eating, and lettuces are easy and quick salad material.
[–] Bolux 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Don't over water it's better to soak them 2 or 3vtimes a week than every day, plants are lazy, you want the roots to look for water which will make them stronger.. Tomato, eggplant, peppers and zucchini/squash are good starter plants. You will have to re_pot them,the bigger pot the better plant.Be patient if you buy from a nursery or store they are fertilized to fuck and will want to start fruiting to early PICK THEM, let the plant grow first then you should get a nice crop..
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] ago
Let me make sure I have this straight, you are saying, pick them when they fruit early and they will keep fruiting, yes?
[–] Bolux 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Yes let the plants grow if they fruit too early all the energy will go to the fruit and you will have a couple of say green peppers on a tiny plant vs a dozen on a healthy plant also pull the suckers between the branches on your tomato plants. Your local nursery will be more than happy to give you advice.
[–] DeliciousOnions 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago (edited ago)
Things I learned from growing small porch pots:
Further thoughts:
Starting tomatoes from seed is difficult at best. It's not impossible, but expect at least an 80% casualty rate. Seeds are cheap, and you can always throw out the weak ones like a Spartan. Start them in a big grid like a cardboard egg carton. Also: tomato stems convert into roots quite readily, so if it gets all spindly just bury that guy up to his neck in dirt and the stem will become more roots. A guy I know buries 12" of stem horizontally to get his 'mater roots started quickly.
There are different varieties of plants, if you're limited to a porch then be sure to get the little guys like small hybrids of zucchini, bush variety beans and determinate tomatoes. The other varieties can grow too big and either swamp out your other plants or introduce themselves to your neighbor's porch.
There are many types of herbs and leafy greens that you can harvest many times. They would be perfect to keep in a kitchen window and pick fresh for cooking. (Consider your cooking style - everybody loves rosemary and chives, but what about thyme, spinach or basil?)
Many plants will grow in response to picking. Strawberries in particular will bear more and more fruit as you pick from them. If you have a disappointing yield at first, be patient and just keep harvesting. A similar strategy for flowers is called deadheading.
Consider what you want to grow and go from there, I would be hesitant to follow someone else's plant list. You'll end up with a bunch of veggies you don't necessarily eat taking up space that could have been full of stuff you wanted.
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Thanks! This is some sure good information which I have saved and will refer to in the future! Very valuable information thank you
[–] DeliciousOnions 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
No worries man - I edited in a few more things that came to mind later on. I tried a really extreme space saving design a few years ago and learned the hard way that even if the plant roots only need so much space, pots should be at least 2x the size of the root ball to hold moisture and resist temperature changes.
What kind of zone do you live in, and how much porch space do you have to work with? If you want more specific info we're always happy to help.
[–] Not_a_redfugee 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Wait, why would you need permission to grow shit on your own property?
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
It is not my property. I just live here.
[–] La_Chalupacabra 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
A lot of that would depend upon your hardiness zone.
For deck gardening, think vertical.
I've gotten a lot out of butternut squash by running it up a trellis, and tomatoes do well using the upside-down trick.
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] ago
Good thinking, I will have to look into this upside down trick
[–] La_Chalupacabra 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
You can do it yourself with a 5-ish gallon bucket and some landscape fabric instead of the store-bought kits.
You can even run planting holes up the side, too, for other crops (strawberries work well this way, since they're off the ground where slugs, bugs, and other critters can dine on them at leisure.)
I've also seen people make little 'skirts' out of decorative fabric so it doesn't look as tacky.
[–] MadamKitten 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Try Heirloom seeds instead of F1 hybrid seeds. Most of the time vegetable are more resistant and forgiving AND taste better. I think because often there is to much weight put on looks not on taste and 10 generations later you have a cucumber that looks like from a photograph but the taste is not as good as it could be.
Another plus is then you have your own seeds.
[–] GoatsnHoes1 [S] ago
Good point, my boss always bought heirloom seeds from Italy, I think. I will look into that cone February, thank you.