Growing UP

Going green is “in” and growing your own food is at the top of everyones list.  You don’t need a five acre lot to grow your own vegetables. Many crops actually do very well grown up a trellis or in a hanging basket, which is great if you don’t have a lot of space.  Here’s a peek at some picks that produce good crops using very little garden space by “growing up.”

First on the list is tomatoes, especially cherry sized tomatoes.  This is a fun crop to grow in a hanging basket.  This year at Al’s we are doing just that with a variety called ‘Tumbling Tom’ tomatoes. ‘Tumbling Tom’ produces sweet and juicy fruits in abundance throughout the summer.  This cherry tomato is a great choice for any small space garden, a balcony or windowbox, or just about any sunny setting. 

Another idea for hanging baskets is strawberries.  Strawberries will dangle down all sides of the hanging pot, making picking fruit easier, and there is no bending over! Your strawberry plants will get more air circulation which is healthier for the plants than if they were grown in the ground.  If you are ready to grow some strawberries, we’d recommend using an everbearing variety like ‘Seascape’ or ‘Tribute’ so you can eat strawberries from the basket all summer long.
Plants grown up a trellis will also give you plenty of produce without tying up too much ground space.  Peas are a fun and easy crop to grow for any gardener.  To enjoy peas at their best, pick the pods when they are plump, then shell and eat the sweet, juicy seeds immediately.

Cucumbers, especially the lemon and pickling varieties, are easy to harvest when grown on trellises, and they are exposed to more sunlight which allows them to ripen more evenly. Some varieties to try are the lemon cucumber, the ‘Boston Pickling’ or “Cool Breeze’ cucumber. 

Have you ever considered growing squash on a trellis? Small squash will do well on a trellis for many of the same reasons: increased air flow and more exposure to sunlight.  Two types of squash to consider are  ‘Acorn’ squash, a small round squash that is great for stuffing, and  ‘Patty Pan’ squash, a flat star-shaped yellow fruit with a green striped center.

Finally, lettuce and herbs are great plants for windowboxes or patio planters.  Slugs will have a harder time getting to your lettuce when it is planted up off the ground.  Make it easy on yourself and plant a pot of your favorite herbs right outside your kitchen door.  Chances are you’ll use them more often than if you had to venture out into the garden to harvest handfuls of basil or cilantro.

Don’t let a lack of space keep you from growing your own food. Get creative and look for fun ways to grow your favorite vegetables.  For fantastic flavor, freshness and fun, nothing beats growing your own.