Find the best ways to plant and grow good vegetables in your garden
Vegetables have been grown throughout the ages and were a very important part of the diet. Evidence of vegetation growth can be seen on Egyptian paintings. The Romans imported into Europe vegetable species such as spinach and lettuce from the Mediterranean . Nowadays tomatoes, beans and maize form a vital part of our diet. Vegetables flourish in a pot if they are propagated in a position that satisfies their requirements. Whether it's open soil or in a pot.
Vegetables in containers
It is common to grow vegetables in garden soil but this does not mean that they cannot be successfully grown in containers. Vegetables in a container only need to be placed in a sunny, sheltered position, irrigated well and given the right nutrients for tem to produce harvest in abundance. Using the available space on your balcony and patio you can enrich your daily menu with the fruits of your potted vegetable garden. Vegetables that are grown naturally such as ripe tomatoes taste far much better than those grown in commercial environments which are normally harvested when they are half-ripe.
Vegetables taste and colour
Vegetables gardening in pots can be a thrilling experience as you watch your seeds germinating and developing beautiful flowers which later produce fruit. The vegetables have wonderful shapes and various colours that add life to your balcony or patio. Flowers produced by vegetables such as the mange-tout and courgette are just as beautiful as those produced by other flowering plants. The vegetables grow well when they are combined with scented flowers and herbs.
Vegetables and light
Like any other plants vegetables in a pot require lots of sunlight for them to grow to their full potential. Vegetables are reluctant to grow in shady positions. Sunny and bright positions are ideal for tomatoes and beans. Vegetables grown on a north facing balcony will produce less harvest than those in a west or east facing position which receives light in abundance. Other vegetables such as beet and spinach can grow in positions with less light but will thrive in sunnier, warm positions.
The perfect position
South-west and south-east positions are most suitable for growing vegetables. Balconies facing the south can become too hot in the summer and are not suitable for lettuce. Peppers and tomatoes do not mind the extra heat however and will show their appreciation of this position by producing an abundant harvest of fruit. When subjected to excessive heat lettuce bolts, producing shoots that burn inwardly. If you have no other position to grow your lettuce other than a south facing position make sure tat you water those vegetables regularly.
Vegetables and the wind
Vegetables thrive in a position tat is sheltered from the wind. Cucumbers, melons and beans are very sensitive to wind, reacting negatively to nay breeze or draught. They will wilt even more when they are in a dry position.
Vegetables should be placed in the shelter of a wall or railing. Reed mats and curtains made of strong fabric will provide adequate protection from the wind. Vegetables growing in a well sheltered position require less watering because the soil does not dry up quickly.
However this does not mean that you are supposed to plant your vegetables in a completely windless position. This will encourage breeding of fungal disease. Steady movement of air allows wet leaves to dry off quicker. Wind will assist in pollination, thereby encouraging a more abundant harvest for tomatoes, peppers and sweet corn.