Container Vegetable & Fruit Gardening:
This is the Perfect Year to Get Started
This Spring of 2020 seems like the perfect time to plan and start a vegetable or fruit garden ...
Providing yourself a ready-source of fresh vegetables and fruits meets the challenges currently found upon entering grocery stores (often poorly stocked) and dwindling local farmer's markets. There's simply no comparison between the taste of fresh veggies and fruits and those that are days (or longer) old. There are health benefits to be found when eating your own homegrown vegetables too. The vitamin content of freshly-picked organic vegetables is higher than most store counterparts. And they are typically void of chemicals and sprays used by larger farms and growers.
It's friendly on your pocketbook too. Fresh from your garden costs pennies on the dollar in comparison to store-bought.
You don't have to have a large dedicated garden space in your backyard. Those that live in apartments, rentals, condos and townhomes can grow fresh vegetables too.
Container gardening makes that possible, as patios, balconies, even windowboxes can become a garden oasis. A wide variety of vegetables and fruits can be grown using this method ... you just need to do a little research to find the best "fit" for the plants you choose, choose plants that grow best in your garden "zone", and use the right size container and potting mix to thrive.
What vegetables and fruits grow well in containers? Here's a list:
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Peppers
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Squash/Cantalope
- Beets
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Spinach
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Pineapple
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Fruit Trees (Lemon, Orange, Apple, Cherry, Pear, etc)
Herbs are also easily grown in containers. Imagine being able to step out your door to snip freshly-grown dashes of flavor for your cooking.
Many herbs are natural mosquito and bug repellents. So strategically place your herb containers to reap the natural benefit of the following plants:
Mosquito Repelling Herb Plants
- Basil
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Lemon Balm
- Pennyroyal (often used in fish dishes)
- Lemon thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Bay
- Dill
- Chives
- Parsley
The trick to reaping healthy yields of container vegetables is found in using the right container and soil, the correct amount of fertilizer, keeping plants watered correctly, and placing the container in the right location to receive the optimum amount of sun for the plant.
Pairing multiple compatible plants in one container can also prove beneficial to producing a high yield of vegetables. Planting tall climbing vegetables (such as peas, green beans, and tomatoes) with low growing compatible vegetables will save space and also eliminate the need for extensive weeding. Got to love that!
To save even more money, common household items can be used to make a DIY plant fertilizer. (Click HERE for a home-made Miracle Grow recipe).
Here's a list of those (acceptable) items commonly found in and around your home:
- Coffee Grounds
- Powdered Milk
- Fruit and Vegetable Scraps (No meat scraps)
- Gelatin
- Bananas
- Egg Shells
- Aquarium Water
- Cooking Water (Water used for cooking vegetables, eggs, pasta, potatoes can be used)
- Epsom Salts
- Tea (Green)
- Lawn Clippings & Tree Branches
- Hair (Human and animal)
- Matches (Yep ... the magnesium is a huge benefit)
- Wood Ash
The benefits of gardening go well beyond the final delicious outcome. Physical and mental health benefits are reaped as well.
The moving, bending, digging, stretching, weeding ... all increase blood flow, flexibility, and strength. (Just avoid sunburn!) And brain functions are also improved. Depression is eased. Stress levels are lowered. Moods are improved.
The contact with nature harvests much. Right now may be the time to think about reconnecting with the basics of life.
So read ... plan ... get busy ... reap the benefits of your own personal vegetable or fruit container garden. And, of course, have fun!
Contact me today! I'll put my 40 years of mortgage experience and expertise to work on your behalf.
I'm easily found at:
Gene Mundt
Mortgage Originator - NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. 031.0006220 - WI License #216987
American Portfolio Mortgage Corp.
NMLS #175656
Direct: 815.524.2280
Cell: 708.921.6331
eFax: 815.524.2281
Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of #mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: #Conventional, #FHA, #VA, #Jumbo, #USDA, and Portfolio Loans in #Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:
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