Newbie to gardening - Help will be greatly appreciated

[rev1976]

Hi everyone,

This site is so informative and Canadian!!! As you can see in the subject I'm new to gardening. I live in a condo and want to start a tomato and bok choy garden. Since i live in a condo i want to grow them in a container. What do i need to start my garden (ie: soil, fertilizer, tools). What size container should i use? And how big? Any do's and don'ts? Thank you.

[Countryboy]

For either plant u will need at least 5 hours of direct sun every day.

The Tomatos will probably grow in 5 gallon containers or pots. Make sure they have holes for drainage and fill them with potting soil . . . in bags from a hardware store or in bulk from a garden centre.

Fertilizer? I use Miracle Grow. If I was growing in containers? . . . probably one with equal numbers of all three nutrients. I say probably 'coz I stand to be corrected on that by anyone who knows for sure. Also, amongst gardeners, fertilizers are a personal choice. We all have our favourites. Whatever u use just follow the directions.

Bok Choy pretty much the same only u could get away with using smaller containers for that.

Best of luck.

[Lizcordysmum]

CountryBoy has my vote!

I am going to say, feed those tomatoes HALF STRENGTH of dissolved fertilizer (and yes, Miracle Gro is my choice too) EVERY time you water.

I would suggest using bigger than 5 gal pots for toms....they like to put down roots...but, that Topsy Turvy thing gives less than two full feet of soil, and says you can plant 2 plants...I am doing this. The ones I chose are cherry type.

My larger toms are in bigger/deeper pails, 20 gal.

I have not grown bok choy...cannot advise.

[tweiss]

Hi,

I've recently read some great things about Epsom salts as being a really good fertilizer.
The magnesium is a vital mineral for seed germination and helps plants to produce chlorophyll. Magnesium also helps plants to absorb phosphorus and nitroge, two major fertilizer components.
I also use Miracle Gro but I've tried sprinkling a small amount of Epsom salt around my tomato plants as well as my herbs and Roses. Application should be done every 4-6 weeks. Dissolve 4 handfulls into a 2 1/2 gallon (10 ltrs) of water. This quantity will drench a 50 square foot plot. Alternatively you can sprinkle around roots and then water.

[otnorot]

I use a slow release fertilizer and this is what my containers look like.
Bill

[Smitty]

oh my!!! those are very nice planters.
glad I stopped here. info for my poor tommytoes and eye candy at the same time.

[Aigle]

Bill! those planters are completely Luscious!

I too swear by Miracle Grow and I don't do containers, but My Partner keeps is pots of tomatoes on the deck. MG has always given him a good yeild. (okay, we all know who really waters etc...) Don't tell him.

[Aigle]

Bil, what is the green to red varigated in the 4th picture? the whole planter looks heat tolerant and I need more plants for my full sun front.

[Smitty]

looks like a geranium leaf to me....google variegated geranium . I had no idea they came in colors like that..