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Re: central wisconsin apartment dweller

At 06:08 PM 4/17/97 -0500, you wrote:
>I am a college student in Central Wisconsin who wants to grow some
>vegetables but I think I am limited to container growing (now that is
>squarefoot gardening!)  I have southern exposure, so sunlight isn't a
>limiting factor.  Does anyone have any advice in general about container
>growing and what should and should not be grown?
>
>Sean Meister
>
Hi Sean,
     Almost anything that can hold dirt can be made into a planter. The SQFT
method works great in these conditions.  I have an old round bat-b-que that
works real well for growing things.  I filled the bottom with a layer of
rocks and filled it in with dirt and compost.  I have oxalis, mini zinnas
and parsley growing in it.  I then knocked the handle off the lid and filled
that with rocks and dirt.  Thumbelina carrots do great grown in a circle.
This year I've planted a zuchini in the lid once I pulled out the carrots.
So far so go.  The flower buds are just appearing on the stalk.
     Hollowed out logs filled with dirt, old discarded toilet seats, empty
laundry soap containers (the big 5 gallon kind), what ever is handy.  Just
make sure the plants you pick will have enough root room.
     Make sure your containers have good drainage and water frequently.  I
also mulch with a thick layer of straw.  Since nutrients will wash away if
the drainage is too good, I also add compost every time the level sinks in
the containers.
     If your gardening on the southside of a wall you might also consider
using something to create a trellis effect.  Hubby put an old staircase
againts the side of the house and nailed planks on it to form five 6" deep
planters. It increases my growing space considerable.  (It also works to
contain the mint to one area.) You may want to try an old bookcase to take
your gardening up.
    Experiment, half the fun is in the trying.
Dawn

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