Spring? Where?
Usually around this time of year I just start buzzing with anticipation. Hell, usually I’d have my containers/plot ready, my seeds already being sprouted, and I’d be making my first trips to the greenhouse to get some early-blooming plants.
This year, however, I find myself it a very big state of flux - for lack of a better word - and I’m currently stuck with only a few containers. This is definately not ideal for me, and definately a change from the large container garden I had last year as well as my own 5×5 plot. I suppose however, that I’ll have to make do.
I’m in the process of moving, something which has taken considerably longer than I first expected. This greatly hampers my ability to garden. However, I’m trying to make do with what I currently have, even if it’s not ideal. That’s the one thing I learned from gardening - even if it’s only a small container garden, you can still have an immense amount of enjoyment.
Unfortunately this year I wanted to grow tons of veggies, but I suppose that won’t be too doable. I’ve never had luck with tomatoes in containers - I’m not sure why exactly. They can be right beside a tomato in the ground so they’re receiving the same light/water/etc., but they just don’t do as well despite how deep the pot is. Peppers I’ve always had great success with in pots though - figure that one out.
I’m trying to limit my purchases this year, however. Last year I spent LOTS of money. If I’d have to estimate, I’d say around $200 including containers and potting soil. Considering I WORKED at a greenhouse and had a 30% discount, you can imagine how much planty goodness that amounted to. But that’s the nice thing about containers - once you buy them you don’t have to get them again. I’ve had this one wooden windowbox for about 7 years and it’s still going strong (although looking a little worse for wear).
My main goal this year: have LOTS of basil. Last year I discovered that african blue basil and thai basil are my favourites so I’m hoping for lots of those two this year. I even bought a huge shallow pot last year expressly for that purpose.
So, I suppose at this time I don’t have any hard and fast plans for gardening. I have to find my permanent situation first, then I can make my definate plans.
I have discovered just recently a place close to where I am, and thus the area where I will be moving, that has community garden plots. I’ll have to phone the contact number and see if there’s any available.

March 30th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
Finally, someone else who has difficulty with tomatoes in containers! Last year I started my seeds indoors in early March, and still didn’t have any fruit by the end of the season– November, here. I’ve never had actual land to try growing them in, though. Maybe next year.
–susan.