I have been thinking about the veg patch (something I find that happens increasingly during winter, as a substitute for cold grey days). I suddenly remembered that I have four empty window box containers sitting in my greenhouse from my London days when all I had was window boxes, they've never been used since I was in my cottage because they aren't really suitable for use as a window box where I am now.
I just remembered about them anyway and decided that one of them (maybe two) would be a perfect container for growing a row of lettuce, save space in my raised bed.
So what about the other two? Anyone have any suggestions as to what veg would grow well in a window box, obviously nothing that requires massive deep roots Maybe some peas (I have a suitable trellis). I don't know, I am throwing ideas around at the moment so all suggestions are considered. Has anyone any experience growing successful veg in a windowbox??
Im not sure on what veg, but a wide variety of herbs can do well in window boxes... rosemary, thyme, sage, and lavender thrive well together, or if wanting to keep them contained basil, cilantro, and mint would be good, as it would stop the spreading...AFM xx
ReplyDeleteThey would look nice on a deck as a border of herbs & flowers!
ReplyDeleteCherry tomatoes grow well in tubs, or what about starting a miniature herb garden?
ReplyDeletePerhaps cucumbers if there is room around the box for the plants to spread. You could even have herb with them as long as you made sure the cucumbers did not shade them but hung over the sides of the box.
ReplyDeleteYou could try the short rooted carrot varieties. Don't use fresh compost though as they'll fork. Growing them in a container means you can put it up somewhere over a foot off the ground then you shouldn't get carrot root fly as that's as high as they can fly.
ReplyDeleteStrawberries - grow so the berries hang over the sides, keeping them clean and not nibbled upon.
I was also going to say herbs - like everyone else! :-)
Radishes and spring onions. I grow these in window boxes as the slugs decimate them if I put them in the garden.
ReplyDeleteTwo suggestions both of which I have grown in shallow boxes. Radish and pea shoots. I like radish because you can eat the leaves too and pea shoots are quite a gourmet (read expensive) item to buy yet can be grown for coppers. I just buy the dried peas from the supermarket, soak a handful overnight before planting. One packet lasts me all summer and is cheaper than one bag of ready grown shoots. Hhmmm can you tell I love pea shoots.
ReplyDeleteI have four and they are being used long term for strawberries. Once the last one reaches year four, it is emptied, and becomes the container for new runners and becomes year one (if you see what I mean). They are then liquid fed (same as in greenhouses) This way, they are easy to erect a net over to stop the birds scoffing them all.
ReplyDeleteHerbs dan
ReplyDeleteThey need containing especially the mints
Herbs. Dont put different mints in the same container,they end up all smelling the same.
ReplyDeleteSpring onions, land cress (like water-cress but not needing to be grown in water), cut and come again lettuce, chives, carrots.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
Oh you could grow any number of things in them - tumbling tomatoes, strawberries, salad leaves, french beans to name but a few.
ReplyDeleteradishes and spring onions also here. they grow the best in them for me.
ReplyDeleteEvery spring I grow red beet, spinach, kale, chard, arugula and lettuce in my flowerboxes in the basement (under fluorescent lamps) and then take them out to the deck when temps are above 50F. Growing salad/saute greens in boxes are so easy and simple to cut for harvest. I planted arugula 2.5 weeks ago. I'm already using it in salads and sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteLettuce of course as you said, perhaps micro greens, beets and radishes don't require too deep of soil, some herbs, strawberries, dwarf or 'ball' carrots. And don't you have a railing on your back deck? Perhaps you could figure out how to attach them to the railing outside?
ReplyDeleteJust random thoughts!
I have a couple of self watering window boxes and I find they grow the best Lettuce ever. The slugs and snails don't find them until they're big enough to cope and they can stand me going away for a couple of days. Now I always grow my lettuce in them.
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