Vegetables in containers

[Tollanedrag]

I am new here and would be really pleased if anyone can advise how many plants to put in containers (bucket sized). I would like to try dwarf beans, courgettes and some cut and come again type salad leaf.
I'm not sure what else I could grow like this.

[Tollanedrag]

[Doris_Pinks]

quite a bit! potatoes, carrots, beetroot, chard, tomato most anything really and many more that everyone else will tell you!
I would put 1 courgette per bucket, french beans, about 6 per bucket, cut n come again just a generous sprinkling will be fine! Hope this helps
DP

[jennym]

Doris has hit the nail on the head - there's so much you can grow!
A bucket sized container will be ok for a tomato plant too, sweet pepper, chilli pepper, and why not try a couple of climbing french beans like Cobra or Blue Lake?

[Tollanedrag]

Thank you so much - you have really helped. I have only grown tomatoes (last year) and they were so good that I want to try other veg.

[Tollanedrag]

Silly question probably - but is multi-purpose compost ok or are grow bags emptied into container better?

[jennym]

Personally, I'd mix in a quarter by volume of normal clay soil into a growbag, or if you don't have this, then get some John Innes No.I compost to mix in - it won't dry out so much.

[Tollanedrag]

Thanks! Yes I have plenty of clay soil! My garden is full of it. I wish I'd known that before I put my tomatoes in. Oh well - you live and learn! (That's part of the fun)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'd use JI for that, not peat or peat substitute compost. It lasts longer, and as it's heavier, the pot's less likely to get knocked over.

[Tollanedrag]

Sorry Robert - I'm a bit confused (not unusual) by the reference to peat soil - is that what multi purpose compost is?
I really haven't a clue!

[saddad]

There are three main types of compost,
Peat based, light and prone to drying out even with a wetting agent,
Peat substitiute, Coir or other fibres, not really reaching full potential yet,
Loam based, usually rotted grasses heavier and better for longer growth like shrubs. Growbags tend to run out of nutrients fairly quickly and will need feeding every week after the first month or so.
Multi purpose tends to have a bit more body than ordinary seed compost or growbags but won't really last more than a couple of months without feeding.
;D

[stuffed]

Currently I have the following in containers (some in buckets others in whatever other pots I've acumulated over the years):
Potatoes,
Parsnips (big tall pot)
Scorzonera (tall pot again)
mange tout
carrots
spring onions
garlic
jerusalem artichokes
salad leaves
strawberries
blueberries

They will be joined soonish by:
tomatoes
cucumbers
squashes

I have grown runner beans and french beans in pots before aswell

Basically what I'm saying is that you can grow pretty much anything in pots and most of these will be fine in buckets it is only really the odd things like parsnips which need something a bit deeper.
If you want more buckets go to your local florist (I go to the flower guy at my local market) they often let you have their buckets free or at least v.cheap.

[Tollanedrag]

Thanks Saddad for your explanation - much appreciated. Certainly cleared up my confusion!!

Wow! Stuffed, you are growing a wonderful variety! Unfortunately, I am not that confident yet but if successful this season - who knows. Thanks for the tip about buckets -it can be expensive starting out.
By the way, I've never heard of Scorzonera?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Scorzonera's an old-fashioned root vegetable a bit like a thin parsnip, only with a black skin.