Grow Vegetables in a Bag This Summer

Whether you live in a small space or are just a lazy gardener, grow bags could be the solution for your garden this summer. They are inexpensive, light and easy to move, and they make a great environment for a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs. Even if you’re stuck in a small apartment with a single fire escape that connects you to nature, you can grow potatoes, cilantro, and even tomatoes to eat all summer long.

What you need to know about grow bags

The bags come in different sizes , but they are inexpensive : five of them cost about $15. When not in use, they fold up so they are easier to store over the winter than pots; and they’re also lighter in use, so you can move them around as needed, but they don’t work on a “set it and forget it” approach. You need to fertilize them more often than plants in the ground.

Stick to shallow rooted plants and don’t plant anything that spreads too much, like pumpkins. Roots will love the porous sides of the bags, which let in more air than a traditional pot and allow them to spread out more rather than grow in a downward spiral. Plus, they’re hard as hell to pour, as any excess water just runs out the sides – you just might need to water more than usual if too much leaks out. And don’t use filler to save space in your bag , as you would with a potty ; your plants will need all the soil they can get.

However, the size of the bag you use is of paramount importance, so let’s see which plants fit in which bags.

Bag size

In general, you should look for “dwarf”, “shrub” or “compact” plant varieties when choosing plants to grow in a bag, according to Gardening , but choosing the right bag size for each plant is key. , Also.

An extra small grow bag that holds up to two gallons of soil is great for herbs and other small vegetables, including:

• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• cabbage or lettuce
• green onion
• Basil
• Radish
• Chard
• Arugula

A small grow bag that holds up to three gallons of soil can be used for larger vegetables such as:

• Carrot
• Beet
• Strawberry
• Celery
• Dill, cilantro and parsley

Medium grow bags that hold up to five gallons of soil are suitable for growing even larger vegetables such as these:

• beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Okra
• Potato
• cucumbers
• Eggplant
• pepper
• Ginger

Large grow bags that hold up to 10 gallons of soil are the ones you need for the big guys: sweet potatoes and tomatoes.