Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers

Shiny green cucumbers; firm, juicy tomatoes; baby lettuces handpicked one salad at a time—these are the tasty benefits of the backyard vegetable garden. But earth gardens are a lot of work. They require a plot of plantable land and a significant time commitment to sowing, watering, weeding, and tending each plant.

Is there a solution? Self-watering containers allow vegetable gardeners—from the casual weekender interested in a tomato plant or two to the very dedicated gardener with limited space—to grow richly producing plants in a controlled, low-maintenance environment.

Lifelong gardener Ed Smith became fascinated with the possibilities of self-watering containers and began testing dozens of vegetables in various containers, experimenting with nutrients, soil mixtures, plant varieties, and container positioning. Now Smith is here to tell gardeners that anyone can grow and enjoy wonderful organic vegetables, using pots with continuous- flow watering systems.

Smith shares advice on choosing appropriate containers, how to provide balanced nutrition using his secret soil formula, and what additional tools benefit the container gardener. The reader will also find advice on starting from seed versus buying plants, which vegetables thrive in containers and which might be a bit more challenging, along with space-saving tips on pairing plants in single containers. After the last green tomato has been picked and is ripening on the windowsill, Smith wraps everything up with a chapter on fall clean-up and preparing for next spring. Now there’s really no excuse for store-bought tomatoes!

Reviews:

“Smith’s Book is highly recommended for all libraries.”

“Garden writer Edward Smith, an avid vegetable gardener, shares his expert knowledge on the subject in this excellent manual for both novice and experienced gardeners.”

“…in this pretty, thorough book, Smith addresses seed and plant selection, pest control, herbs and container combinations, and the mouth-watering photos are inspiring.”

“The how-tos are well described, and the writing is both solid and inviting, This, plus beautiful photography and handsome design, trademarks of Storey Publishing, carry the reader happily from one section to another. From container garden design to care to harvest, this book covers the subject well.

“The directions are easy to follow, making the projects seem extremely doable.”

“Smith divulges his methods for getting the most out of a containerized vegetable garden, including his ‘secret’ potting soil mix, design ideas, and harvesting tips, all accompanied by color photographs of his garden.”