I have always wanted a garden. Unfortunately, I’ve always also been lazy. This spring, I will not be lazy. I will have that garden. But I need some help. I don’t have the greenest thumb. Here’s my situation.
I would like to plant tomatoes, but I would prefer to plant them in pots since I rent my house and don’t want to dig up the yard. I have a porch. It faces north and is screened in and covered. It doesn’t get much sunlight. I have a small strip of grass on the side of my house facing east. My backyard is a nice size. It faces south. A family of rabbits hangs out there often. Where would my tomatoes be happiest? Does anyone in Indianapolis have suggestions on where to get seeds?
I would also like to grow some herbs. I have a crate, 2 or 3 inches high, that could work as a planter. What do I need to do to make my herbs grow tasty and tall?
I’m definitely going to do some research online, but just thought I’d tap into another resource here. Because my readers are awesome!
Piebelly 
Your tomatoes will need lots of sun, the north side will definitely not be enough. I always buy my tomatoes in a starter plant, way easier… Your herbs will be happiest in a planter that is at LEAST 6 inches deep, more is better 🙂 I always use organic mix when I plant everything, it is a mix of kelp meal, canola meal, bone meal, fishmeal, tiny bit of lime and a few other things I can’t remember, works awesome though…the biggest thing growing any kind of food, is that most things need lots of sun!! Good luck 🙂
We are novice gardeners – but you should check out the square foot gardening book. It makes things simple and easy and I think it has a section for containers.
Herbs are super easy as long as you have some sun. I recommend some from seeds and some basil from a start for your first year (if you have a healthy basil plant then life is good!).
Also, check out this local gardening blog (and maybe ask them for the specific advice!)
http://staleyveggiepatch.blogspot.com/
– Alex
Thanks for the tips guys! I bought three tomato seedlings, two basil plants, and a rosemary plant at the Winter Farmer’s Market this weekend. I’m excited that my plants came from a local farmer 🙂 Now I just need to get some supplies to plant!
Redneckprincess – Can I get an organic mix of soil at a gardening store if I find the right one?
Alex – I’ll try to find the Square Foot Gardening book and do some reading. The blog you recommended is actually very helpful! Lots of great links, too. I think I’m going to ask them for advice on where to get good soil.
IMPORTANT rosemary tip: mist mist mist. Mist the crap out of that thing. They like sandy soil, but get dried out really easily.
Fun for container gardening: lettuce/microgreens. The more you cut the more they grow.
Also, basil seems to be happiest where tomatoes are happy too (sunny spots). Plus it’s fun to have a little pizza garden going with all your ingredients in one spot. Good luck! :o)
Oh, and one more tip if you have room in your yard: compost your kitchen scraps! Best free fertilizer around. My dad has been gardening for years and every spring he always turns a mixture of half cow manure, half compost into the soil. His tomatoes are always huge and prolific and awesome, ditto for the basil and lettuce and everything else.