We certainly can’t complain about the different vegetables we can grow in Edmonton! I recently reviewed a list in preparation for my spring gardening classes – there are at least 26 kinds of veggies we can grow!
Some are a little trickier than others because they grow best with lots of heat, such as pepper, tomatoes and eggplant. There are a few methods to extend the growing time for these plants, including growing them in containers. These can be moved in and out of the house or garage to avoid early or late season frosts and they can also be placed in a location that is more protected and warmer than the rest of the yard.
I have a number of containers, two of which work really well for the purpose of extending the growing season. They are containers with sub-irrigation, featuring a water reservoir at the bottom and the plant roots have access to ample water as long as you replenish the reservoir once in a while.
This year I grew two different kinds of eggplant in an EarthBox. This sturdy plastic container is fairly stylish and comes with coasters, which makes it easy to move and turn as needed. Although I follow the setup instructions from the manufacturer fairly closely, I do add some compost and worm castings to introduce microbes into the system. These boxes are not cheap, but they should last ‘forever’ and are great for people with limited space or for keeners who want to try a specialty crop.
Some are a little trickier than others because they grow best with lots of heat, such as pepper, tomatoes and eggplant. There are a few methods to extend the growing time for these plants, including growing them in containers. These can be moved in and out of the house or garage to avoid early or late season frosts and they can also be placed in a location that is more protected and warmer than the rest of the yard.
I have a number of containers, two of which work really well for the purpose of extending the growing season. They are containers with sub-irrigation, featuring a water reservoir at the bottom and the plant roots have access to ample water as long as you replenish the reservoir once in a while.
This year I grew two different kinds of eggplant in an EarthBox. This sturdy plastic container is fairly stylish and comes with coasters, which makes it easy to move and turn as needed. Although I follow the setup instructions from the manufacturer fairly closely, I do add some compost and worm castings to introduce microbes into the system. These boxes are not cheap, but they should last ‘forever’ and are great for people with limited space or for keeners who want to try a specialty crop.
I have also made a cheaper version of this system with two buckets, a yoghurt container and a piece of plastic tubing. Using a jigsaw, I cut a hole the size of the 650 mL yoghurt container in the bottom of the first bucket. I also drilled 5mm holes all over the rest of the bottom of that first bucket. Then I riddled the sides of the yoghurt container with holes and placed it in the bottom hole of the bucket. The potting mix in the yoghurt container sits in the water reservoir and therefore wicks water up into the rest of the potting mix. I also cut an additional hole for the plastic tube in the first bucket. The tube is pushed into the hole and all the way down to the bottom. The first bucket is then set inside the second bucket and watering is done into the plastic tube to fill the reservoir at the bottom. You also need an overflow hole so you can’t fill overfill the reservoir.
For other instructions, you can google “Global Buckets” and you will find many ways inventive folks have created their own version of a sub-irrigated container.
For other instructions, you can google “Global Buckets” and you will find many ways inventive folks have created their own version of a sub-irrigated container.
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