Gerald Filipski

Growing vegetables in containers is a great way to enjoy homegrown , organic produce . Growing in containers allows the gardener to control fertilizing , watering , and even pest control more easily than in a regular garden bed . A recent question I received might inspire gardeners with small yards or if gardening on a deck or balcony to try container vegetable gardening .

Q . I think you are my last hope for growing cucumbers — every year I try and every year I fail . I would like to grow cucumbers in a half barrel and I would appreciate it if you could tell me from start to finish what to do — type of soil ; where to place my barrel ; when or if to fertilize ; how much to water , etc . I know the type of summer we have will also influence how successful I can be , but I want to at least do the best I can .

A . I have personally taken to growing many of my veggies in containers as I find it more convenient to control many growth factors . Let ’ s begin the answer to your question with the container itself . Half barrels are excellent for growing cucumbers . The one stipulation is that they must have adequate drainage holes in the bottom of the barrel . I would recommend a minimum of three to five holes . Cucumbers will not tolerate sitting in wet soil so this is a must . Before adding the soil to the container , place a piece of broken clay pot or a piece of window screening over each hole to keep the soil from plugging the hole .

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