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TRELLIS GROWERS
into your hanging basket without compromising on beauty.
tomato hanger—simply cut a small hole in the bottom of a plastic hanging basket, and plant the tomato seedling once true leaves have appeared.
With smaller urban and apartment-style living on the rise, outdoor space for growing can sometimes be an issue. Why not choose, then, to grow up, instead of over? For upward growth, choose trellising veggies such as runner beans, snap peas, and cucumbers. These can be grown in a small window box, yet still supply you with a whole summer’s worth of fresh vegetables. For maximum yields, bring your window box indoors to start your seeds, and place it outside once the weather warms. Reverse in July for a second planting. When trellising your vines, try stringing your plants along an overhanging area, or keep boxes on the ground and use balcony railings to allow the plants to climb. Remember when choosing seeds to be sure to pick a climbing variety, as many of these veggies come in both climbing and bushing growth habits.
Trailing herbs like creeping rosemary, oregano, and mint make both beautiful and functional additions to any hanging baskets, decorative or otherwise. When it comes to flowers, chamomile, nasturtium, and pansies are all beautiful, edible flowers with delightful flavour, and make great additions to salads and other dishes. Combine herbs and edible flowers for a low-maintenance edible display, and use lettuce or other greens as filler to provide you with additional tasty treats.
STRAWBERRIES
Speaking of “upside down,” strawberry hangers are a great way to grow fresh fruit with limited space. Hanging strawberry planters can be bought with or without seedlings at many local garden centres, and can usually hold up to a dozen plants. Grow these for a steady supply of fresh berries from July until September, and add a pop of colour to your outdoor area while you’re at it. So, whether you have space for two or ten planters, consider edible produce instead of ornamentals this year. You’ll no doubt appreciate the easy access to tasty treats once harvest begins!
TOMATOES
Tomatoes are the perfect starter for any patio gardener. With several varieties geared towards container gardening, tomatoes are relatively easy to grow. They also produce high yields, providing enough for two people from just one or two plants. For ground containers, choose varieties such as Tiny Tim or Patio. These are designed to be shorter and stockier and will thrive in a container environment. If floor space is limited, try growing your tomatoes in an upside- down planter. No need for a fancy
Hanging Baskets
One of my favourite things to do is use edible plants in my hanging baskets. There are many ways to integrate herbs, greens, and even edible flowers
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SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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