- 1). Drill two 4-inch holes into the bottom of a small planter for drainage. If you are using a large container, drill at least 4 holes, equally spaced, at the bottom of the container. Before drilling through the container, sit it on a wooden block or piece of wood to protect the table surface. Plastic containers are better for drilling drainage holes.
- 2). Place the two bricks in a tray. Make sure that the tray is larger than the bottom of the planter. Sit the planter on top of the two bricks for easy drainage. Root rot can occur if soil does not drain well.
- 3). Pour potting soil into the planter, about 2 inches from the top. You may choose to buy pre-mixed potting soil or make your own. To make your own potting soil, combine equal amounts of peat moss, sterile compost (compost that is fully broken down) and vermiculite, in accordance to the size of your planter. Measure the depth of the planter and divide it by four to calculate equal parts. Remember, the mixture must reach about 2 inches from the top of the planter. Mix all of the ingredients using a trowel (a garden tool with a handle and a blade used for cultivating the soil).
- 4). Pour water into the planter to moisten the soil. Use a watering can or similar device to control the water flow. Water evenly. Stop watering when water is running out of the bottom of the planter. Note, hard water can harm plants over a period of time by causing minerals, such as salt, to build up in the soil. A water filtration system can eliminate most mineral deposits in the tap water.
- 5). Plant the vegetable seeds 1/4-inch deep into the soil. Cover lightly with soil, taking care not to compress the soil. Consider how large the plants will grow when they reach maturity. Space the seeds accordingly. Container plants require more water than plants rooted in the ground. Check the moisture level in the planter by inserting your finger into the soil. If it feels dry below the surface, water the plant.
- 6). Find a space where the seedlings can get six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Consider placing the planter on top of a wheel cart to move it around as the position of the sun shifts throughout the day. Consider growing vegetables that thrive well in planters, such as carrot, cucumber, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onion, tomato and peppers. Sow seeds and starts one week after the last frost of winter.
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