Container Gardening Complete

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 232

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 232 5/24/17 12:24 PM
Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 233

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 232

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 233 5/24/17 12:25 PM

Some gardeners may be reluctant to employ succession planting

techniques because they don’t like the idea of their containers appearing

empty in mid-season. One of the easiest ways to overcome this naked

feeling is to grow your veggies in mixed plantings in a pocketed planter

with multiple compartments, so that even when a few of the compartments

are empty, or partially empty, the others help mask it.

This unique project uses a pocketed closet organizer as a container.

I like to plant a mixture of crops in mine, so as one veggie or herb gets

harvested, another quickly replaces it.

Good Plant Candidates Include:

• Kale


• Swiss chard


• Globe basil


• Small-statured hot peppers


• Miniature/dwarf eggplants


• Nasturtiums


• Beets
  
  
  • Arugula
  
  
  • Celery
  
  
  • Miniature cabbage
  
  
  • Radish
  
  
  • Lettuce
  
  
  • Salad greens
  
  
  • Bush beans
  
  
  
  

MATERIALS NEEDED

A 6-, 8-, or 10-pocket

fabric closet organizer

Enough 50/50 potting

soil and compost blend

to fill the pockets

Plants—a mixture of

small- to medium-

stature vegetables

and herbs with

different harvest

times (see list of

suggestions). Plan for

two plants per pocket.

TOOLS NEEDED

Scissors

CROP

POCKETS

232

Text Black Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete #175 Dtp: 229 Page: 232

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 232 5/24/17 1:07 PM

HOW TO MAKE CROP P0CKETS

STEP 1 Most closet organizers are packaged accordion-

style, so begin by spreading the closet organizer out,

opening each pocket fully. Use a scissors to cut two

(^1) ⁄ 2 -in.-wide holes in the bottom of each pocket for
drainage. Fill each pocket with the 50/50 potting soil
and compost blend to within an inch of the top.
STEP 2 While they’re still in their containers, position
the plants in the pockets, organizing and reorganizing
them until you have a creative mixture of plants. Try
to intermingle fast-maturing crops with veggies that
take longer to mature so as things are harvested, other
plants will fill in the space.
STEP 3 Plant the plants, being sure to carefully loosen
any pot-bound roots prior to planting. Water your new
closet organizer planter well.
STEP 4 Harvest the veggies and herbs as necessary,
removing plants from time to time as they finish
producing. At the end of the season, when the peppers,
basil, and other tender crops have been frosted, the
kale, lettuce, and cabbage plants will continue to
produce for weeks to come.
233
Text Black
2
1 3
4
Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 233
Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 232
700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 233 5/24/17 1:07 PM