Drip Irrigation In A Container Garden

Luffah Vine Starts in 18" pot with drip system. 

-- All Images: M Burgess

Recently I added a new drip irrigation system to my container garden. 

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I have posted a how to guide on building a drip system if you want to do this yourself. 

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The project did not entail more than an hours time and it was simple to assemble.You can read about my results in the images below and the article link.

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Drip System Irrigation For Container Gardens

Tips On Watering

Watering a garden is the essential secret to having a green thumb. Watering correctly can be tricky and you need to know when to add water and when to hold off. If you have moisture in the soil about 3 to 4 inches down then you can skip watering at the moment. Dry soil at this level is a sign that water needs to be added. Some plants won't mind extra water or a little dry conditions but others will have their fits either by wilting a little or not preforming well. It takes a delicate balance to tend to all the needs of your garden but you are the expert at your home.
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Gallery

Container Garden May 20, 2013

Items shown in this image from left to right starting from the water container: Small radishes next to the container. The next item is Basil, Oregano, then the light green is a Raspberry Bush. The lower right corner is Lavender and a Marigold plant in a window box. The Tomato is Cherry Tomatoes. The item in the bucket in front of the tomato is a Yellow Squash plant. Above that is Rosemary (not pictured. It is in the far left corner.) The pot with the window box on it is a set of Green Peppers. Above it is my Armenian Cucumber plants as shown in the image below.  From there you see the bottom of a lemon tree. Next is an 18" pot with loofah vines starting and on the other side of this is a Japanese Eggplant. Not pictured are another set of Peppers, Tomato, lettuce, and a set of onions in a window box in the far right corner.

In the following images you can see the tubing for the drip system threaded throughout the garden.

My Container Garden May 2013

 

Armenian Cucumber Vines And Blossoms

You can see this vine is very happy and is blooming like crazy! 

Cherry Tomatoes hiding Rosemary. 

I was unsure what this tomato plant was until this week when the tomatoes turned red.

Container Gardening

I enjoyed setting up and maintaining my container garden and have for years. I recommend this project to anyone who has the desire to garden but is limited in area with which to plant. I am delighted in the prospect of  home grown vegetables and the process of making them grow. I love my tiny garden and its wonders. The favorites are replanted year after year, though some of them stay with me over winter and continue to add their presence the next season.

If you are so inclined to start a garden of your own I hope this inspires to to plant TODAY!

Aphids In The Garden

Signs Of Aphid Infestation - Image: M Burgess

Yesterday I noticed the curling leaves on my newly set garden. 

I turned the leaf over and sure enough we have aphids. 

Aphids are tiny yellow and green creatures that remind me of fleas, mites, or lice. They are creepy and can devastate anything they land on. By eventually draining your plants of nutrients, these little sap suckers need to be removed as soon as possible. They are more common on roses but they do find vegetable plants a good environment for their colonies.

Remove them as soon as you see them by spraying the leaves with soapy water. I wash the leaves off gently removing the egg sacks, larvae, and the adults. Finding them early will help prevent them from getting too well established.

You may spray tobacco juice on them, too, if you want to remain organic. There are pesticides out there that can treat your garden pests but you have to be very careful with it. I personally don't like adding poisons to the healthy foods I grow. That's the whole point of having a garden is it not?

Live Ladybugs - Amazon

One of the best remedies for treating these smaller pests are live ladybugs. they can be ordered online or through your local nursery. They consume these dreaded creatures and will reproduce their young in your garden if the conditions are right.

What else can you use to ORGANICALLY treat garden pests? 

I am just learning this side of gardening. I am working my way to being as organic as possible. Thanks for your help! =)

Container Gardening

Tomatoes and Lavender 2012

Gardening in small spaces is as simple as keeping a regular watering schedule. The maintenance level is low. Clean up is easy and if you decide you want to rearrange the area all you have to do is move the pot.


I have kept a container garden active for over 3 years now and really enjoy this hobby. Gardening is part of my preparedness planning and I am actively seeking out ways to make it more attractive and produce better. This year I added more herbs to my pots and am happy with the results I am getting. The tomatoes are producing and I am getting flowers on the peppers and the eggplant as well. This year I did not plant cucumbers but I may do just that when mid summer reaches us as the cucs tend to produce better in the fall.


The garden is not only a source of food stuff it is a nice place to relax and meditate. The area to me is soothing and helps me get back into a slower pace as I tend to it's light needs. The heaviest task that it needs is in the beginning of spring when I need to either replace soil or replant the pots. It's a healthy activity with fun results. The feeling of watching the plants produce their product is fun. The moment you actually can pluck and eat a fresh grown item makes the work very rewarding!


For Gallery and More info see: Container Gardening on Survival-Recovery.com