Produce being grown in tubs
Not many of us has the space/money to have a greenhouse, or the time/energy to devote to an allotment. Not everybody has a garden either. We are all told to eat our 5 portions a day, but how many of us know how easy it is to grow some of those 5 portions at home, even if space is limited to a couple of tubs, hanging baskets or window boxes.
Growing vegetables and or herbs in containers is easy and straightforward – and cheap! Here are some hints to get you started:-
Firstly choose the sunniest spot you have got. An area in front of a south facing wall would be perfect, but failing that the sunniest spot in your garden/yard. You can use nearly anything as pots but remember they must be frost-resistant if they are going to be outside all Winter. Plastic is cheap, ceramic more expensive but prettier. Some florists/supermarkets will sell you the buckets that cut flowers come in cheaply. You will need to drill a few holes in the bottom. You can also use grow-bags.
Try and splash out and use a decent compost. John Innes No 3, which is a soil based compost is recommended. You will need to use liquid feed or use a slow release fertiliser. If we have a decent Summer you will need to water twice daily, containers need much more water than your garden! You can buy water-retaining products which you add to the compost. Using a water butt is a great way of recycling water.
Here is a list of the produce you can grow easily in containers:
Herbs
Most herbs are slow growing except for Mint. This is invasive and you are best advised to put it in a pot and then sink the pot into the larger container. Herbs like sunny, dry conditions. They prefer gravelly soil so you could add a bit of gravel to your compost. You can grow them from seed or buy small plants from garden centres.
Tomatoes
Can be grown in pots or grow bags. Also nice growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets. Feed weekly with tomato food, and if growing cordon tomatoes pinch out side shoots regularly. Need sunny weather to harvest a decent crop. Feed regularly when flowers appear.
Salad crops
Suitable lettuce varieties include Tom Thumb and Little Gem. You can also grow cut and come again Lettuce and harvest individual leaves, the plant will keep growing afterwards. Rocket can be grown in a seed tray quite successfully. Lettuce can be also grown successfully in grow bags. Interplant containers with salad onions and radish for a wonderful fresh salad.
Carrots
You can get really nice clean young carrots from a container. Good variety is AMSTERDAM FORCING. Try sowing 5 seeds to the pot.
Broad, French and Runner Beans
Most dwarf french beans will perform well in a pot. For broad beans you willl need to use a dwarf variety, for example – THE SUTTON. A recommended runner bean variety is HESTIA.
Potatoes
Use fast early varieties such as SWIFT or ROCKET. Can grow in tubs or plastic sacks such as the ones compost comes in. Need to earth up (cover with soil) foliage as it appears.
Courgettes
Will grow well in large containers. Need sunny weather to produce plenty of fruits. Feed regularly when flowers appear.
I'm a married mum of one, living in Wirral. Interested in cooking, growing stuff to eat and fitness. Have Bipolar Disorder but it doesn't stop me leading a full and productive life. 
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