How to Grow a Chemical-Free Vegetable Container Garden

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grow a chemical-free vegetable container garden

How to Grow a Chemical-Free Vegetable Container Garden

Produce your own fresh, homegrown food, in a small space - simply and chemical-free!

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Step 1 of 8

Garden tools you'll need: Trowel - use to dig; Soil Scoop - use to transfer soil from bag to container; Pruners - use to trim leaves; Watering can w/rosettes - use to water plants evenly and gently.

Step 2 of 8
There are many options for gardening containers such as ceramic, wood & plastic. Containers should be big enough to support full grown plants, have drainage holes and be made without toxic chemicals.

There are many options for gardening containers such as ceramic, wood & plastic. Containers should be big enough to support full grown plants, have drainage holes and be made without toxic chemicals.

Step 3 of 8
Put holes in the bottom of your container for drainage so your plant roots do not stand in water - which can lead to root rot.   This pot cost only $7, so you don't have to spend a lot on pots.

Put holes in the bottom of your container for drainage so your plant roots do not stand in water - which can lead to root rot. This pot cost only $7, so you don't have to spend a lot on pots.

Step 4 of 8
Here's the fun part! Choosing your plants! Bedding plants typically come 1 per pot or 4-6 per pot. Choose healthy vibrant plants.  Check plant's growing conditions  - sun, water, temp, and spacing.

Here's the fun part! Choosing your plants! Bedding plants typically come 1 per pot or 4-6 per pot. Choose healthy vibrant plants. Check plant's growing conditions - sun, water, temp, and spacing.

Step 5 of 8
Don't overcrowd plants. A little card should come with the plant to tell you how much space is needed between plants. Completely cover roots and plant base with potting soil.

Don't overcrowd plants. A little card should come with the plant to tell you how much space is needed between plants. Completely cover roots and plant base with potting soil.

Step 6 of 8
Take a photo of your garden on the day of planting. Then chronicle growing conditions everyday so next time around you'll know which things worked well and which ones didn't.

Take a photo of your garden on the day of planting. Then chronicle growing conditions everyday so next time around you'll know which things worked well and which ones didn't.

Step 7 of 8
Water your plants regularly. But don't overwater. Check the weather and don't water on rainy days. Nature's water is better than tap!

Water your plants regularly. But don't overwater. Check the weather and don't water on rainy days. Nature's water is better than tap!

Step 8 of 8
Look at your garden everyday. You'll be amazed at how exciting and empowering growing your own food - free of chemicals and full of nutrients - can really be!!!  Enjoy your growing experience!

Look at your garden everyday. You'll be amazed at how exciting and empowering growing your own food - free of chemicals and full of nutrients - can really be!!! Enjoy your growing experience!

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Diet-blogger, nutrition professor, busy mom, avid cook and organic gardener. Visit me at The Dieter's Academy for healthy eating tips especially for dieters.

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48 Comments
Supplies

3 16in containers/pots

2 ?? bags potting soil

2 vegetable/fruit bedding plants

1 pk plant labels

garden tools

1 watering bucket

sunlight

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Alisa - yes, definitely so.

(author) last month

Alisa Zlotnikoff

What is the yield on a container garden with chard and lettuce? Enough for 2 adults for the summer

Alisa Zlotnikoff last month

Beverlyn Martin

Thank you.

Beverlyn Martin last month

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Lazarus - you can do it. Container gardening is easier than you think! Start with something simple like lettuce, peppers or Swiss chard. Doing your own organic gardening really does make healthy eating affordable.

(author) last month

Lazarus Gutierrez

Thank you Tonya, I'm definitely going to give it the old college try. I'm so use to just growing weeds it's not funny, especially dandelions they are a pain in my behind. I'm not lion, lol but seriously, I can't wait to grow my own vegetables, especially with the high cost of organically grown food at the supermarket.

Lazarus Gutierrez last month

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Yvonne - I've never heard of using coffee to ward off pests. But I am definitely willing to give it a try. Do you know what compound in the coffee irks pests - the caffeine?

(author) 2 months ago

Yvonne Heine

I use cold coffee against pests and it seems to help. Just put it in a spray bottle and spray it on leafs & soil every day.

Yvonne Heine 2 months ago

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Hi Christina - I have a very small container garden and a 8x4 square raised bed, so I am able to pluck bugs off plants whenever they appear. I have also dusted plants with baking soda and that seemed to work too.

(author) 2 months ago

Christina Butterworth

Great guide,,,,,but what happens when bugs attack? Obviously you don't want to use conventional pesticides...any thoughts?

Christina Butterworth 2 months ago

Norma Jean  Waddell

Thank you Tonya.

Norma Jean Waddell 2 months ago

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Norma Jean - I hope you can find it. If not, you can order from the web.

(author) 2 months ago

Norma Jean  Waddell

I live in Canada,I hope I can get Dr. Bronner###

Norma Jean Waddell 2 months ago

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

J Gregoru - hope you and your teen create many fun memories in the garden. A great way to bond.

(author) 2 months ago

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Thanks, Juanita!

(author) 2 months ago

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Norma - growing an herb garden is so much fun. Plus the fresh herbs taste great, much better than dried ones!

(author) 2 months ago

Juanita Lane

This looks doable! Thanks

Juanita Lane 2 months ago

Norma Jean  Waddell

I grow a graded every year. Love it. This year I wand to plant a herb garden n containers,wish me luck,I will be watching for tips. Thank you Norma Jean

Norma Jean Waddell 2 months ago

jameguilin guilin

Good

jameguilin guilin 2 months ago

J Gregoru

Thank you so so much for sharing! Your pics and info are just what my teen and I have been searching for!

J Gregoru 2 months ago

Felicia Friberg Backman

Thanks!

Felicia Friberg Backman 2 months ago

Catherine Bennett

Ha! That's one I hadn't heard before! Excellent suggestion - kind of reminds me of how diatomaceous earth works on pest's feet. Thanks for the tip! :)

Catherine Bennett last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

I also dust my veggies with a little self-rising flour to get rid of pests. My grandma says the baking soda stings their little feet!

(author) last year

Catherine Bennett

With so much exposure to chemicals we get in our day-to-day existence, I try to limit the amount of chemicals I come into contact with voluntarily as much as possible! The air we breathe, water we drink - even the fabric furniture we sit on is treated treated with formaldehyde. Nasty stuff. But Dr. Bronner's is a lovely way to stay organic and keep the pests away! So you are more than welcome, Gamy! :)

Catherine Bennett last year

Gamy Hernandez

Thanks Catherine, I have heard how much damage chemicals can do but haven't found anything so I always used chemicals (sparingly).

Gamy Hernandez last year

Catherine Bennett

You're more than welcome, Tonya - I've been using it for years, for both indoor and outdoor plants, and it's worked like a charm. Thanks for the great guide to planting outdoors, too! :)

Catherine Bennett last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Catherine - thanks for the tip on using Dr. Bronner's soap as a natural pesticide. Some little worms are eating my broccoli plant - so I have a surprise for them tomorrow!

(author) last year

Catherine Bennett

You're welcome. :)

Catherine Bennett last year

Howard Quayle

Thanks Catherine : )

Howard Quayle last year

Catherine Bennett

the plant at all

Catherine Bennett last year

Catherine Bennett

Yeah, I caught that, too, Howard... I have found that using rock dust on the soil helps to remineralize it greatly which, of course, translates nicely into he final product. And pests do not generally go after the healthy, strong plants... But if you're concerned about keeping pests away from your plants, a light solution of Dr. Bronner's liquid castille soap (about 1 oz. to a quart of water) sprayed onto the plants usually does he trick - and it doesn't harm

Catherine Bennett last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Hi Ashley - you can grow your garden in a series of window boxes with hooks that hang from the window sill. You'll be limited to the size of plants you can grow - but there are LOTS of good options like herbs, Bibb lettuce, spinach.....

(author) last year

Ashley Joslin

Do they have some type of tool so you can hang the pot out side of your window? I have a vision where it would be growing in the air and not on the ground. We have neighbors with cats they have outside a lot and I don't them to get on it

Ashley Joslin last year

Howard Quayle

Chemical pesticides? 'chemical free'? Huh?

Howard Quayle last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Yep, of any sort. This guide serves as a starting point for whatever plants you want to grow.

(author) last year

Howard Quayle

of any sort? : S

Howard Quayle last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Sveta, I recommend organic vegetable potting soil. I use bone meal fertilizer. And chemical pesticides of any sort.

(author) last year

Sveta Meaney

What soil do you recommend? Do u use any vegetable fertilizers?

Sveta Meaney last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

I have problems with deer, so that's why I am a container gardener. I love it! It's so easy to manage and so uplifting!

(author) last year

MiYon Richardson

I did this when we lived in the midwest. We had two young puppies who were constantly digging so I planted everything in planters and put them on the deck which we blocked off with a homemade gate. One of THE best and most successful gardens I ever had!

MiYon Richardson last year

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

You're right Kristi! I think I follow you on Twitter....

(author) last year

Kristi  Rimkus

Can't beat home grown veggies.

Kristi Rimkus last year

Debbie Forest

Looking forward to trying this.

Debbie Forest last year

fouad kouzmane

love it is very good

fouad kouzmane last year

Tammy Bonifazi-Eves

Getting it going todau

Tammy Bonifazi-Eves last year

Isacc Demoz

Love it

Isacc Demoz last year

Noah Budgor

Great guide!! Can't wait to try!

Noah Budgor last year

K McL

I am going to try this you make it look easy.

K McL last year

Athena Colins

My favorite thing to grow is rhubarb. 😄🌷💐

Athena Colins last year

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Noel - great info. Thx!

(author) 2 months ago

Noel Etrof

Resin types 2 and 5 plastic are generally considered the best and safest types to grow in.

Noel Etrof 2 months ago

Brian Morris

It is also a good idea to put some larger sized rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the pot to help to drain excess water.

Brian Morris last month

Be first to comment on Step 4.

River Haven

Really nice guide. Thank you!

River Haven last month

Myra Paul

This is a great idea.

Myra Paul last year

Be first to comment on Step 7.

Carol Glaze-Johnson

I will try this. M not a Gardener but I luv food from the garden. Thanks!!

Carol Glaze-Johnson last month

Tonya @The Dieter's Academy

Hi Leslie - glad I planted the idea of container gardening in your mind. Good luck!

(author) 2 months ago

Leslie M

You've inspired me to grab some little veggie plants this spring in addition to the usual flowers. I love growing herbs but hadn't thought of growing veggies in pots. Thanks!

Leslie M 2 months ago