没有院子? 没有问题. 种植一个欣欣向荣的集装箱花园.

various plants growing in containers

春天正式开始了, and many of us are starting to get the itch for the scent of fresh flowers and the taste of homegrown fruits and veggies. If you’re interested in digging into some gardening but have never tried it before, are short on outdoor space or simply want to try a new planting method that requires less setup, container gardening is a great option.

When should I prepare and plant my container garden?

Now is a great time to begin looking for starter plants, 和大多数花园商店一样, nurseries and Saturday markets will be stocked up this time of year.

然而, 说到种植, you’ll want to wait until temperatures warm up at night to avoid exposure to frost. As a baseline, make sure your soil is at least 50 degrees F for cool season vegetables. For warm season crops (like tomatoes) wait until the soil is at least 60 degrees F. Typically, the Willamette Valley will see these temperatures around the end of April or early May. 尽管隔夜 霜冻 can still occur later in the year in other parts of Oregon.

1.  选择容器

The best thing about container gardening is that you can essentially use any vessel: a terra cotta pot, a decorative planter or even recycled plastic like large yogurt containers or buckets from home improvement stores. Just make sure your container is at least eight inches deep.

No matter which container you choose, just remember to check for a drain hole. If there isn’t one, you can easily add one using a small drill. Or, if you don’t want to worry about drilling, place a plastic container (with a drain hole) inside a decorative pot and lift it to let the water out.

A few thoughts to consider when choosing your container:

  • Terra cotta pots are good for plants that like a drier environment because the clay allows water to easily evaporate.
  • Glazed pottery tends to hold in moisture well, but it can be heavy — something to consider if you plan to move in the near future.
  • 使用回收容器时, make sure to avoid those that have previously held detergents or chemicals. And don’t forget to thoroughly wash your recyclables before planting.
  • Barrels work well for plants like trees and small shrubs, but they can also be on the heavy side.

2.  决定种植什么

  • Many garden centers carry edible plants that are designed to stay small, 比如树莓, 西葫芦, 草莓和灌丛黄瓜.
  • 紧凑决定性番茄, lettuce and peppers also grow well in containers, and they grow to a size that is easy to maintain.
  • Herbs are easy to care for and add extra zip to a meal, dessert or drink.
    • Grab a living basil or parsley plant from the grocery store and place it in your container with some fresh soil.
    • 多年生植物，比如韭菜, 牛至, 百里香, 玫瑰mary and sage will come back every year, which makes them even more worthwhile.
  • You can also try a climbing plant, like pole beans or peas. Simply attach a low-cost trellis to your container and watch them ascend.
  • Scented geraniums (their aromas include coconut, 肉豆蔻, 玫瑰, citrus and more) can add an extra element to your patio or porch.

3.  记住这些护理建议:

  • 天气变热的时候, containers tend to heat up faster than outdoor gardens since they are not insulated by the ground. Make sure to keep them well watered (2-3 times per day) during the summer months. Or move them out of the hot afternoon sun to avoid damaging the roots.
  • The larger the container, the better your plants will grow. Don’t be afraid to give them some space.
  • 容器的营养流失很快. Use liquid fertilizer weekly or add a slow release fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the container.

需要一点额外的帮助? 联系澳门威尼斯人娱乐场分机

  • Questions and photos can be submitted online to OSU Extension’s 向专家请教 服务.
  • You can also reach out to the Benton County Master Gardener volunteers at bentonmg@sophieboon.com.

学生也可以在校园里种花!
澳门威尼斯人娱乐场食物森林, established and maintained by University Housing and Dining Services, sits outside of Callahan Hall and features organic fruits, 蔬菜和香草. Students who are interested in participating in the gardening process can help harvest, prune and sample the food being grown. 如果你感兴趣，请 加入listserv.

Or attend a 晚餐的种子 course

Created by OSU Extension specifically for beginners, 晚餐的种子 provides the tools you need to grow edible plants on a budget. 在这门免费课程中, you will learn about building healthy soil, 植物保健, harvesting and using the food you grow. It also includes tips and additional guidelines on maintaining a container garden. 晚餐的种子 is offered in-person, on 变焦 and at Saturday workshops in community gardens. Sessions are also available in Spanish.

Enjoy your bounty this spring and summer!

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食物
健康

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