AboutMike Mascio Expertise I have been an avid gardener since 1985 and an AllExpert volunteer since
1998. I specialize in soil preparation, seed starting and plant
propagation, flowers, vegetables, and general landscaping. I am a strong
advocate of the square foot method of gardening and the use of organic
controls for pests and diseases.
Question Hi Mike, I would like to plant some carrots, radishes and turnips this year in some containers/boxes on my patio. What do you recommend as far as soil mix, container size and planting time. I live in South West Washington State and the weather has been fair lately. Thanks Mark. Also any suggestions you may have to produce a good crop on these veggies would be great.
Answer Mark, the three things to keep in mind when gardening with containers is size, materials, and drainage.
Before we get into materials, make sure you are using a good soil mix composed of organic materials such as compost, aged manure, and peat moss. You can purchase 40 lb. bags of these at most garden centers. Organic matter provides the proper drainage and fertility needed for growing vegetables.
As with any container or basket, drainage holes are essential to prevent waterlogging the soil and subsequent root rot. It also ensures leaching of salts from the soil and excess nitrogen buildup.
Secondly, choose a size based on the types of plants you plan on growing, as well as the available space in your planting location. Too small of a container can result in rootbound plants which tend to dry out more quickly. I personally believe bigger is better when planting in
containers, and would not recommend anything smaller than 2' wide by 18" deep.
Finally, you need to choose a material that is both attractive and practical. Alternatives include wood, plastic, concrete, and clay. My personal preference is rot-resistant woods such as cedar. They tend to be sturdier than plastic or clay, and moderately priced. They often come in various colors to fit most preferences. From a practical standpoint, they also protect the plants better against climate and temperature changes than the other types will.
There are many general purpose books on the market which serve a good references. My favorite is "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew. Although he does have a section on container gardening, it is an all purpose book with a primary focus on intensive planting methods. Rodale has many books available. I have also seen books at Waldenbooks and Barnes and Noble on this subject. You can look up any of these companies on the web and do a search to find what you are looking for.
The vegetables you reference should be direct seeded and can be sowed two weeks prior to your last expected frost date.
For your convenience, I am attaching a great website with good tips and basic information on container gardening that I'm sure will benefit you.
