There are 8 VEGETABLES detailed in this Gallery.

How to grow vegetables successfuly in pots.

Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers by Edward C. Smith (ISBN -13: 978-1-58017-556-2 or ISBN-10: 1-58017-556-2). Ed Smith has chosen, planted, tested and tasted dozens of vegetables in every type of self-watering container and shows you how to grow the best vegetables ever.

3 problems in growing vegetables in traditional containers:-

• They need watering every day with a hose or watering can.
• Even when they are watered regularly, most vegetables will not produce as much in a traditional container as it would in the earth garden.
• The methods traditionally used for growing edibles in pots are not organic. I prefer to use organic methods.

One solution to the problem of constant watering is the self-watering container, which is different from a traditional container in that it does not have a hole in the bottom. As long as there is water in the reservoir, the soil in the self-watering container will not dry out. This helps to solve problem 1, also helps solve problem 2 as it helps the vegetables to grow better without their roots drying out (vegetables are between 80 and 90% water). A mature tomato plant may need to drink as much as a gallon a day.

The Sow and Grow Unit from the Amberol Harvester Range is an ideal balcony container large enough and deep enough to grow anything you would wish to plant in it. It is superb for tomatoes.

The unique ‘Aquafeed’ self-watering system from Amberol keeps plants permanently watered, releasing the vital nutrients in the soil. The high capacity capillary action wick lifts water and added nutrients from a large, built in water storage chamber protected from the heat of the sun, so simply top up the reservoir twice a week in most conditions.

The Junior Cultivator is the all rounder. Good for herbs, salad stuff but deep enough for beans and peas whilst also good for strawberries.

The Fruit Full Unit is perfectly designed to grow strawberries by the bucket load. Keeping the plants over the edge of this narrower unit prevents them rotting when ripening.

The Salad Server is perfect for growing every sort of salad crop, lettuce, radishes, spring onions, beetroot and many others. With its built in water reservoir and aquafeed system you can expect superb crops with minimum maintenance and effort.

Nurseries that grow and sell plants to the Public:-

Marshalls, S.E. Marshall & Co, Alcondbury Weston, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 4HY. Tel: 01480 443390. Website: www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk sell seeds and plants.

The Pod and Bean planter can be used to grow peas and beans of all varieties. It has the depth to allow canes and sticks to be pushed into the soil which will support these climbing plants as they grow. It also makes a superb planter for onions.

The Mini Garden can be used as a floor standing  unit or easily fixed to a wall. This is ideal for growing herbs or as a raised small strawberry bed.

Why Topsoil is not suitable for use in a Container:-

In a container, topsoil compacts and the spaces between soil particles disappear. Compacted soil cannot receive, contain, or allow for the movement of enough air and water.

Making a potting mix for your self-watering container:-

In typical container growing mixes, structure is created by combining 2 basic components: something that will absorb water and something that water will flow round. One planting mixture combination is:-

• 8 parts of spagnum peat moss,
• 1 part of vermiculite, and
• 1 part of perlite
• 10 parts of spent mushroom compost or 2.5 parts of Worm Castings or 2.5 parts of your own compost from a Garden Wormery.

which is the best choice for self-watering containers. 2/3rds fill a wheelbarrow with the above planting mixture and according to Edward C. Smith (for Americans) add:-

• 1/3 cup blood meal (for nitrogen)
• 1/3 cup colloidal phosphate (for phosphorus)
• 1/3 cup greensand ( for potassium and trace elements) and
• 1 tablespoon azomite.

or according to me (for UK Citizens) add:

• 500 grms Cal-Sea-Feed (for trace elements and minerals, calcium which neutralizes the acidity of the peat, and Cal-Sea-Feed also encourages beneficial soil bacteria)
• 500 grms Blood, Fish, Bone (for Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus)

before mixing thoroughly. Add water whilst mixing to make a moist mixture but not a soggy mess. Transfer the result to a self-watering container (whose reservoir is already filled with water).

Detail of above materials:

• Spagnum peat. Partially decomposed remains of centuries-old sphagnum moss, which holds both water and air. It is organic matter, but it decays very slowly and adds litlle in the way of nutrition. It is very acidic, with a pH of 3.5-4.5.
• Sedge peat. The ancient, partially decomposed remains of sedge, reeds and grasses. It is of a darker colour than sphagnum peat and holds more water.
• Coco peat, or coir. Recycled coconut husks, used for aeration and water retention as an ecologically sound alternative to sphagnum peat. It holds more water than sphagnum peat and has a pH range of 5.7 to 6.8.
• Bark and/or sawdust. Used as a basic ingredient in some potting mixes. It provides organic matter, but few nutrients.
• Vermiculite. Made from a form of mica rock. The ore has been heated causing it to expand and creating within it spaces for air and water. A cubic foot of vermicultite can hold 32 pounds of water - about 8 gallons. In addition to its air- and water-holding ability, it provides some potassium, calcium and magnesium with a neutral pH.
• Perlite. Made from volcanic rock that is crushed, and then heated, causing the particles to expand like popcorn. Perlite holds water on its surface and keeps soil light and fluffy. It adds no nutrients to the mix and has a neutral pH.
• Limestone (either dolomitic or calcitic). A source of calcium to counteract the acidity of peat moss. Dolomitic limestone also contains magnesium.

Details of organic fertilizer:

• Azomite Trace Mineral Fertilizer is natural mined rock from a specific volcanic deposit in central Utah marketed as a free-flowing, less than 200 mesh, tan to pink powder with a density of 48 lbs./cubic foot. No additives, synthetics or fillers. Mineralogically, Azomite is rhyolitic tuff breccia. Azomite has 67 major and trace elements, so its name means "A to Z Of Minerals Including Trace Elements." Typical analysis shows every element that's beneficial to plants and animals, and other elements (micro-nutrients) scientists believe essential. Azomite was mined since 1942 as soil amendment. Crop farmers report improved growth, health, size. Potatoes report 19-60% increase in yield; sugar beets are larger, with higher sugar content. Citrus growers report improved recovery from decline, healthier trees. This material is easier to buy in America. I would tend to use the Cal-Sea-Feed in the UK, since it is easier to find and it will provide the Calcium instead of from the Limestone in the list above to neutralize the acidity of the peat.
• Greensand is essentially a hydrated silicate of iron and potash. It is a natural mineral extracted from the famous greensand deposits of Sewell, New Jersey, USA. This natural mineral has a tendency to open tight soils and bind loose soils. Nutrient availability through its' "base-exchange" action releases the minerals in the soil for assimilation by the plant. Valued by growers for decades this rock powder contains a large amount of potassium and trace minerals. Greensand renews vigour of the mineral exchange in the top soil.
• Cal-Sea-Feed - Calcified Seaweed substitute - A sustainable alternative to Calcified Seaweed for growers. Calcified Seaweed is no longer approved by the Soil Association for use in organic growing, due to concerns that the harvesting of this material is not sustainable and has adverse effects on the marine environment. Cal-Sea-Feed is a blend of dried seaweed, harvested in a sustainable and environmentally benign system, and natural calcium compounds - formulated to give growers the benefits of Calcified Seaweed without the concerns. Cal-Sea-Feed is rich in minerals, encourages beneficial soil bacteria, helps improve heavy soil structure and neutralises acid soils (do not use with acid loving plants). Approved for Organic growing by the Soil Association.
• Blood, Fish, Bonemeal. A traditional long lasting organic based compound fertilizer - the favourite feed for generations of gardeners. Use anywhere in the garden for flowers, fruit, vegetables. Nitrogen 5% Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2 05) 5% of which Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2 05) soluble in water 0.44%(P0.19%) Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2 05) insoluble in water 4.56%(P1.9%) Potassium Oxide (K2 0) soluble in water 6.5%(K5.4%). Bone meal is an organic fertlizer that is derived from the meat processing industry. Animal bones are cooked and then ground and packaged, then sold as a slow-release fertilizer that offers a good amount of phosphorous. The N-P-K ratio of bone meal is generally 4-12-0, though some steamed bone meals have N-P-Ks of 1-13-0. Bone meal is frequently used to fertilize spring-blooming bulbs, but it also works well in vegetable gardens, on lawns, and in containers to provide phosphorus. Recent CSU research results concluded that no rock P (regardless of mesh size) is available for plant use unless the soil pH is below 7.0.

Using this planting mix, a self-watering container and the information in Ed Smith's book, you should be able to grow very good vegetables on the balcony 12 floors up a skyscraper or anywhere else where sunshine gets to a part of your outside space.

Plant Connection has a free Vegetable Wall Planner.

Why adding water retention gel to the container mix is not suitable:-

Since the container is self-watering, you do not need any additives to increase water retention. These additives are called hydrogels, and they are meant to be used in traditional pots, which dry out quickly. When they are added to the potting mix in self-watering containers, the mix quickly becomes waterlogged and the plants drown.

Gleaned from the newsletter of Permacore (South African Permaculture network) in 2004:

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING:-

PLANT 3 ROWS OF PEAS

• Peace of mind
• Peace of heart
• Peace of soul

PLANT 4 ROWS OF SQUASH

• Squash gossip
• Squash indifference
• Squash grumbling
• Squash selfishness

PLANT 4 ROWS OF LETTUCE

• Lettuce be faithful
• Lettuce be kind
• Lettuce be patient
• Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS

• Turnip for meetings
• Turnip for service
• Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME

• Thyme for each other
• Thyme for family
• Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE

THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

From SUNBURST The Parish Magazine of St Margaret's, Rainham, Kent of June 2010:-

"You could spend your life waiting for one of these....

There are 91,500 people in the UK who are waiting for an allottment. That is up from 76,330 in June 2009. And the popular grow-your-own trend, accelerated by the recession and rising price of food, shows no sign of calming down.

In Camden, North London, nearly 1,000 people are facing a 40-year wait for around 200 allotments. Islington, Burnley, Fylde, and Wirral all have waiting lists of longer than 10 years. In Oldham, 400 people are waiting for 19 sites. Other councils have closed their waiting lists altogether.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide allotments, but many frustrated gardeners say "it is just not happening, and is such a shame." As one keen gardener points out:"Having an allotment ticks all the healthy living boxes in terms of diet, exercise and low carbon footprints." "