Don’t have much space for a garden? Don’t let this deter you from growing your own healthy produce.

Container gardening has become a popular choice for those living in cities. The flexibility it offers and the ability to control soil conditions make it an ideal option for cultivating various delicious vegetables and herbs. 

This guide explores the ins and outs of growing vegetables and herbs in containers.

Benefits of container gardening

• Container gardening is perfect if you only have a balcony, stoep, or sunny windowsill. With the right pots and planters, you can transform any spot into a lush green corner.
  
  
• Containers provide a controlled environment for your plants. You can customise the soil, ensuring optimal drainage and nutrient levels, and easily move your pots to catch the sun or avoid harsh weather conditions.
  
  
• Garden pots and wooden planters come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. The wide range available at Stodels allows you to not only grow your favourite herbs and veggies but also decorate your space.
  
  
• Container gardening makes it easy to access your plants for watering, pruning, and harvesting.
   

Why grow herbs and vegetables at home?

Growing herbs and vegetables at home offers many benefits beyond just the joy of gardening. 

These plants add freshness and flavour to your food, save you money, reduce your carbon footprint, lessen your food waste, and provide delicious, nutritious food with maximum convenience and accessibility. 

What’s not to love?

Choosing your vegetables and herbs

Wondering what to grow in your containers? These are our top plant picks:

• A variety of herbs: Basil, mint, coriander, and rosemary are just a few examples of herbs that flourish in pots. Herb planters with multiple compartments can help you create a mini herb garden in one container.
  
  
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are container-gardening superstars. Choose a large pot, use high-quality potting soil, and provide support for the growing vines. Compact or dwarf varieties work particularly well in containers.
  
  
• Carrots: Carrots can also thrive in containers. Choose a deep container to accommodate the growing roots and use well-draining soil.
  
  
• Peppers: These popular veggies are well-suited for containers. Go for compact varieties (and choose your heat wisely).
  
  
• Salad greens: Lettuce, spinach and rocket can easily be grown in shallow containers. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds in succession and keep the soil consistently moist.
  

Top tips for container gardening success

• Embrace the magic of mushroom compost. Container gardening success hinges on the quality of the growing medium. It’s easy to cultivate a successful growing medium with mushroom compost as it helps to create a nutrient-rich soil blend that promotes healthy plant growth. The compost also improves water retention and microbial activity.
  

• Choose the right containers. Select containers that provide adequate space for root growth. Ensure they have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
  

• Use high-quality potting soil: Invest in a good-quality potting mix that balances aeration, drainage, and nutrients.
  

• Water consistently: Container plants may need more frequent watering than those in the ground. Monitor soil moisture levels and water when the top layer of soil feels dry.
  

• Provide adequate sunlight: Most vegetables and herbs thrive in full sunlight. Place your containers in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  

• Fertilise regularly: Container plants rely on you for nutrients. Use a balanced liquid fertiliser or incorporate slow-release fertiliser into the soil to ensure a steady supply of nutrients.
  

Get your garden going

Container gardening opens up a world of possibilities for cultivating vegetables and herbs, even in the smallest spaces.

So what are you waiting for? To help you on your way, we’re running a pot promotion this November. Get 50% off pots both in-store and online to create your thriving kitchen garden.