Plant a container today, pick a salad tomorrow

In less than 3 square feet, you can grow a salad plus some herbs to flavor it and flowers that are as practical as they are pretty.  You can grow them all in a movable, self-watering, self-fertilizing container called an EarthBox which ALCC has in place again this year in the 9News Kitchen Garden.

Anyone with a small balcony or patio that has light can use an EarthBox--or any container for that matter--to grow favorite combinations of flowers, herbs and veggies.  Dimensions of this planter are small-space friendly at 29 inches wide, 13 1/2 inches deep and 11 inches high.

At the time of purchase, the box comes with enough soil and slow-release fertilizer for the first growing season.  All you have to do is add plants and pour water in to the water reservoir.  When plants are small, water will need to be replaced every few days.  When the plants are mature and bearing fruit, the reservoir may need to be re-filled every day. 

These plants, in the EarthBox at 9News, are well suited for container gardening.

Cucumber 'Lemon' - a cucumber that looks just like a lemon.  Though somewhat drought-tolerant, be aware that cucumbers are typically shallow-rooted and require regular watering.  Harvest before the cukes get too big as the plant will stop producing if mature cukes are left on the vine.

Tomato 'Grape' - the small size of these tomatoes makes them popular for salads. 

Squash 'Papaya Pear' - produces high yields of 6-oz., pear-shaped summer squash that have tender flesh and great flavor.  It produces fruit all season long.

Pepper 'Red Cheese' - a sweet, round pimento pepper that grows to about 18 inches tall by 12 inches wide.

Peppers:  'Redskin' and 'Mowhawk' - grow only 8 to 10 inches high--but produce large, healthy fruit over well-branched plants.  The peppers grow 4 to 5 inches long and can be picked green or after they mature to a rich red color.

Add some flowers that do more than look good! 

Nasturtium 'Peach Melba' - here's a flower that's pretty, edible (adds a peppery flavor to salads) and also deters whiteflies and squash bugs.  It's a keeper.

Marigolds - in addition to adding great color, they also help repel insects. 

Enjoy these combos in your containers and the tasty salads that are soon to follow!