What seeds worked best in your urban environment?
A:
“I recommend doing some research on which plants grow best in containers for your particular hardiness zone and sun exposure. For my space in Philadelphia,
flowers like petunias, zinnias, and marigolds are a good bet. Vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers always seem to do very well. I’ve always had great luck with a variety of herbs, and they can tolerate smaller containers; so they are great even if you are really limited on space.”
What grew well in your garden this year, and what was troublesome?
A:
“Our cucumber plants have been very successful in the last couple of years, and they are fun to grow. It’s amazing to look under the big leaves and find little
cucumbers beginning to form. I train my plants to grow on a trellis or string, so the fruit doesn’t rot on the ground. These plants love to climb and will grab onto just about anything. “Although I know many people are able to grow these in containers, we’ve always had difficulty growing lettuce or spinach. I think the issue for me has been inadequate drainage in my containers, so the plants rot before they have much of a yield. Each year as I learn a little more about the nuances of container gardening, we have better successes. So, I’ll definitely try these again next year!”