Garbage can container gardening is a great way to grow your own vegetables. These plants can be tucked in a corner of your yard and will provide you with fresh veggies throughout the year. There are many different types of vegetables that you can grow in your garbage can, but some of the most popular are lettuce, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. You can also grow peppers, onions, and eggplant. If you want a little bit of variety in your garden, you can even plant flowers.

Potatoes

Potatoes can be a great food to grow in a trash can. The skins can harden, making the potatoes less likely to bruise. You can even plant them in a large, heavy duty trash bag. This makes harvesting easier.

Potatoes can be stored for months at a time. For optimal results, try to store your potatoes in a cool, dark place. Make sure you check for rotting and bruising. Also, keep the tubers below 8 inches high.

Before you start growing potatoes, you will need a few things. First, you will need a plastic or metal trash can. If possible, you should choose a can that has holes in the bottom for drainage.

Another item you should get is a grow bag. These bags are made from fabric or fiber and come in various sizes. They are inexpensive, and will usually allow you to reuse them at least once.

Once you’ve got your bin, it’s time to get to work. To make your planting easier, you can either hill the soil or use straw. A small saw or drill will help you make a hole.

You should also consider the quality of the soil. It’s best to have a mix that is rich in calcium and phosphorus. It should also be pH balanced. When in doubt, use a home testing kit.

Potatoes grown in containers will require more frequent watering. Soil should be moist but not wet. As a rule of thumb, potatoes should be watered about once a week. Depending on the type of fertilizer you use, the amount will vary.

Potatoes grown in a trash can require a little more care and attention, but they can be a fun way to learn about a vegetable. With a little bit of planning, you can harvest your very own potatoes.

Tomatoes

If you have a large trash can and want to grow some fruit, tomatoes are a good choice. Many indeterminate varieties do well in larger containers. Besides, you can move the planter indoors when the weather is harsh.

Tomatoes grow best in a sunny location. They are a great addition to a fresh salad or grilled burger. In fact, homegrown tomatoes are superior to those from the store. But, you do need to keep your tomatoes well watered and fed.

To start, you need a container that is at least 16 inches wide and tall. You can purchase a plastic garbage can for this. Another option is to use a five-gallon pail. Make sure the pot has holes for drainage.

Once you’ve chosen a container, add a mixture of potting soil and a little worm castings to it. Mix the fertilizer according to the directions on the package.

Before planting, you should remove the lower leaves of your tomato plants. This helps prevent cross-pollination. Also, pruning the stems of your tomatoes can help control their growth.

When you’re ready to plant your seeds, lay them out in a single row, about an inch apart. Then, cover the seeds with potting soil.

Fill the hole with potting soil until the root ball is just above the first set of leaves. Adding mulch is also a good idea. It keeps the soil from drying out and allowing weeds to sprout.

If you live in a hot climate, you can cover your tomatoes with shade cloth. Otherwise, they should get 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.

For added support, you can plant trellises around your tomatoes. You can also buy collapsible cages.

Carrots

If you’re interested in growing carrots in containers, you can do so with very little effort. All you need is the right kind of soil, water, and the oomph to grow a delicious harvest.

First, choose a container that’s two to three times larger than the carrot you’d like to grow. You can use a standard plastic trash can, or a wide, plastic storage tote.

Next, fill the container with potting soil. Make sure to leave about an inch of space between the plants. Once the seedlings are a couple inches tall, thin them out.

After the carrots have sprouted, water them lightly. Do this weekly or monthly, depending on the weather. A dry soil isn’t conducive to healthy growth.

You should also keep an eye out for pests. Carrots are susceptible to insect pests such as cutworms. Spraying your plants with a BT spray can kill them. Alternatively, you could cover the carrots with row covers made from a thin fabric. These discourage pests from getting in.

It’s also important to maintain a watering schedule. Mature roots are very sensitive to moisture levels. Excessive watering can cause split roots.

Depending on the variety you choose, the carrot may be ready to pick in 65-80 days. The shorter, Short ‘N Sweet varieties can be harvested as early as 68 days. Kaleidoscope carrots, on the other hand, take a bit longer.

Carrots should be grown in soil that has a good drainage system. If you have a hard, compact soil, you may want to consider using a raised bed.

Aside from the obvious, you should use a floating row cover to help protect your carrots from insects and cutworms. Also, a mulch will help regulate moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest plants to grow in containers. The smallest of the leafy vegetables, lettuce grows in a variety of temperatures and climates. In warm climates, lettuce can be grown as a fall crop.

In order to successfully grow lettuce in containers, it is important to plan and prepare the soil. A humus-rich mix will help the lettuce grow well. You should also use composted manure. Adding peat to the mix will help to retain structure.

Once you have prepared your soil, you can plant the lettuce seeds. They should be planted at least four inches deep. Plants will grow very quickly if they have access to the proper nutrients.

You can buy lettuce seedlings from a nursery or grow them yourself. Be sure to keep the plants in a sheltered area, especially during hot weather. It is also a good idea to provide shade.

You can even grow lettuce on your balcony or porch. If you don’t have space for a full-sized garden, growing lettuce in containers is a great way to jumpstart your growing season.

Depending on your climate and the weather, you can grow lettuce all year round. If you are in a cool climate, you can also harvest lettuce late in the fall.

When it comes to growing lettuce, it is also a good idea to make sure the plant receives enough water. Watering too frequently can lead to poor growth and root rot. Make sure to check the soil daily to ensure the lettuce is getting the water it needs.

Another good idea is to provide companion plants for the lettuce. These will provide extra nutrients to the soil and deter pests. Using a trellis to provide some shade can also help.

Peppers

If you want to grow peppers, you’ll need to prepare the soil for a container garden. Ideally, the soil should be rich and well-drained. It’s best to use a mix of compost and animal manure.

Peppers need a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight. They are also susceptible to damage from insects. These include spider mites, aphids and thrips. So, it’s important to watch out for pests when planting, watering and harvesting.

You can find pepper plants at your local nursery. When planted in a container, you can expect to see a crop of fruit after about two to four months. A variety of green, red and yellow peppers are available. The peppers are usually picked when they are light green or yellow.

Peppers are easily grown in containers, but you’ll need to give your plants the proper care. Peppers need plenty of sun and well-drained soil. Plants in tightly packed pots often have trouble surviving. As a result, you may experience a lack of growth or disease issues.

Peppers are generally healthy. However, you should be on the lookout for problems such as insect infestations and disease. In most cases, aphids and thrips are the main causes of pest problems. Fortunately, you can control them by spraying with hard water, soap, or neem oil.

Depending on your climate, peppers can take a month or more to mature. However, you can start harvesting immature peppers after the end of the season.

Peppers are easy to freeze. They don’t need to be blanched before freezing. To eat the fresh fruits, cut them into strips or chop them up. Alternatively, you can dice the peppers and add them to soups or other dishes.