Container Garden Tour +Tips for Success! 

Heya Garden Neighbor! I haven't had a change to my raised bed setup in a couple of seasons but each year I'm making tweaks to my container setup. Hopefully in the coming seasons, I'll settle in to my container setup too. Then I can decide if I will tackle irrigation 😊😊. While I enjoy the time I spend in the garden while watering, it is definitely time consuming. Happy growing in your new space!💚 ~Batavia

Awe, thanks Ginger. I was laughing to myself yesterday because I was actually sweeping the patio. Oh and I can't wait to grow up 😊💚. ~Batavia

Yeah YarmouthBotanicals!! 200lbs of food, Wowzer! I wanted to track the pounds of my harvest this year. This might be the (only) upside of planting late..my harvest is just starting to come in so it's not too late to grab the scale, lol. I do make it my business to pick leaves but so far most things are green..another month from now and things will look a bit different😊. Thanks for watching and listening! We appreciate the support 💚. ~B

Liz In Delaware.

Heya Liz! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 30 gallons, wowzer! The width of those bags gives you so much room! Happy growing! ~Batavia

Mamie in South Carolina, zone 9, I love flowers and vegetables

Heya Chicago Neighbor Christine!! When I read 150 tomato plants and 50 pepper plants, there was an audible gasp. I LOVE IT! and I love that you're growing in the lot next door (I have an empty lot behind my home but it has become a parking lot of sorts, so there is that. Jewel is one of my spots for buckets 😀. And a ready made container as a gift is such a wonderful idea. I've thought about that with the smaller buckets (think a lettuce plant or a kale in the spring or fall), but there is nothing like the gift of a tomato plant (I may need to borrow this idea)🍅🍅🍅. Thanks so much for commenting and thanks for your contributions to the gardening community! 💚~B

Heya Sara! One of the many things I love about gardeners is how resourceful we are. Way to grow! And thanks for watching and commenting!💚 ~Batavia

Heya! In 3 years, you tackled some great veggies some of which are challenging to grow. Way to go!💚 ~Batavia

Hi I am Ms. Alia. Live in Kansas City. I am successful this year growing Sweet potatoes and sugar, baby, watermelons and containers of my front yard and in ground in my backyard. I have sweet potatoes, sugar, baby watermelons. Broccoli beets, cabbage, collard green's lettuce spinach, cantaloupe corn, Succeeding yellow squash, tomatoes and Brussels sprouts n Carrots. Thx for sharing your garden Is beautiful in plentiful.I've learned a lot from listening to you.

Heya Queen! Trees in 50 gallon hard containers, I love it! Mulch is so helpful and one day I'll have irrigation setup, one day ☝️. Great tips and happy growing! ~B

Looking forward to seeing you!💚

Thanks so much Yvette! 💚

Hello Grandma Sandy! So glad you enjoyed the video. You know we all should be thinking about how to make gardener easier on ourselves, even if we can currently bend and move about. So thank you for the reminder!💚 If you're interested and have time, skim through the comments. A lot of good folks have shared what find grows well in containers, in their area. Chances are you'll see someone growing in an area near you!💚 ~Batavia

Heya! Thank you and thanks for watching and commenting. It seems my motto has become being behind 😊. Fall gardening is starting soon so I'm focusing on "being on time" for it 😊. ~Batavia

Heya! My garden ears perk up everyone I hear about trees in containers. I tried blueberries a few years back and well, I ended up using those containers for other plantings the next year. Every year I spend a little time thinking about turning the wooden cage in the backyard into a space for fruit..but maybe I should be thinking more about containers 🤔. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Happy growing! ~Batavia

Heya Nicki! Being able to move your containers around to get the sun you need is one more gift of containers 😊. Thanks for watching and commenting!💚 ~Batavia

Hey Chasity! It's going to continue to be a hot summer which I'll need to make some adjustments for here in Chicago. Hoping you all get a break from the extreme weather conditions or at least the grasshoppers 💚. Thanks for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

👋🏽👋🏽hey chicago neighbor! So many options with containers! Last week I started lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and collards (indoors under lights). I'm hoping for a lush Fall garden with plenty of green (and maybe purple😊) veggies. I'll start direct sowing fall things outside next month. Sending you positive, get ready for Fall vibes from the Southside 😊💚.

Heya Nancy (garden neighbor)! I tried growing blueberries one year in the rectangle black containers I have the squash (backyard) and beans and sunflowers in (front yard). I'm not sure if I didn't get the soil composition right or if the plants were problematic but they didn't make it through the first season. I would love to have a bounty of berries (adding them to my list to try again in the future😊). Thanks for the encouragement! And thanks for watching and commenting. 💚 ~Batavia

Heya Shelby! As I've been reading the comments, 5 gals is a super popular size to grow in. I must say, I smiled from ear to ear when I read..and whatever tomatoes I didn't have room for (same!). I have added cucumbers back to my "try again" list. I'll need to add cabbage 😊. Happy growing! ~B

Thanks CharMac! I'm making a note about eggplant. I normally plant them in a raised bed and the plants can get pretty big. It would be great if I could park them in a couple of containers and use that raised bed space for something else. Adding to my list of things to think of for next year 😊. Thanks for watching and commenting!💚 happy growing! ~ B

Heya gardening friend! They say the best place for a garden is near your door 🙌🏽. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comments! 💚 ~Batavia

Heya Sandra👋🏽! Thank you! Buckets are so accessible and grow bags have such versatility. 😊 and thanks for watching and commenting! Happy gardening 💚!

Heya! For a time I was looking at places that had nice mild temps and San Diego was on my short list 😊. Oh and I'm uber curious about artichokes. Happy growing! ~Batavia

@BBettaGarden I just recently came across your RU-vid channel. I'm very excited about the way you present material, visual, and topic areas! Stay Cool!

So glad you found my channel/garden space! 💚

Heya Tina! Welcome to the wonderful world of gardening! There is this picked eggplant/pepper recipe that I look forward to each season. 😊💜

Hey Laura!🛎️ glad to see you around this way! you know I remember that question. I think we talked about it as if it was in a raised bed. If the root knot nematodes were on plants in containers, we've just unlocked another benefit of growing in containers... if there is a soil borne issue..you can discard the soil (adding that to my notes 😊). Thanks for your support! See ya!🛎️😊💚

@@BBettaGarden If you remember I was doing a cover crop of Nema Gone marigolds. Well they weren’t germinating fast enough so I went w covering them in thick black plastic. Turning the soil every couple weeks. (Two 4x16 beds) Hopefully that will fry them in our 100° Oklahoma heat. 🔥 🥵 Fingers crossed that come spring I can safely plant in them. I purchased some of y’all’s seeds. Can’t wait to use them! Thanks! 😊

There’s a horticulturalist here in town (central NC, zone way-too-hot) with those root knot nematodes. Apparently they are somewhat common here on former tobacco fields. She still plants flowers and veg in-ground but has moved to containers for delicate (fussy?) tomatoes. Good luck to you!

Heya LJanine and welcome to the wonderful world of gardening 😊💚. Gardening in Florida in the fall will be wonderful! And thanks for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Heya! Thanks so much. My list of what to grow in the future is growing 😊. Turmeric and ginger are on my list 😊💚. ~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden They’re beautiful and tasty. The black turmeric has such pretty big green leaves with red down the center.

Yelling across the room, HEY ERIKA!!😊💚I've been thinking about putting some of the celery starts I have (still on the back porch 😌) in a grow bag. happy growing Sis!

Heya Garden twin!💚😊 15 stories up! I've been seeing more and more gardens made up of some or all totes. Glad to hear it's working for you. And 🙌🏽 on the GreenStalk (thanks for shopping with my code😊). I'll be trying to figure out how to get those planted immediately in the Spring 😊.. I have had painting the basement on my list of things to do for a few years and I had to dig into my real paint bin to get some of the blue tape out this winter when I was starting seeds😂😂. At least it's being used for something good, right, adding peas to the future container grow list. Thanks for watching and commenting!💚 ~B

Wow - that’s inspiring - well done!

Heya Lakisha! I'm really excited to see what comes out of the GreenStalk tiers I have the potatoes in. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Heya!! I love to hear about the tweaks you've made like growing personal size melons and my fav dwarf size anything 😊😊 the only perennial herb I have is oregano (which reminds me that I need to cut and dry some) and it's in a corner of a couple of raised beds. What herbs are you growing that are returning. Our winters here in Chicago can get a little colder (I'm in 6a) so what returns for you may not return for me but I'm Uber curious. 😊thanks for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

​@BBettaGarden Holala! My perennials are: Thyme, hyssop, lemon balm, bee balm, garlic chives, mullein, ginger( bring inside during winter), camomile. Flower: Shasta daisy.

Hey Ms. Elwandaa! that's a whole food forest 😊💚and to hear so much is grown in containers (whispering, be still my heart)! Avocado, mangos and other citrus trees are on my --relocate to somewhere warmer-- garden list 😊 In the meantime, cucumbers are officially back on my current day (or 2025) container garden list! 😊😊 For this fall, do you have plans for the dirt you're removing? Do you need to remove it? (I know you didn't ask but) Maybe use that super thick landscape fabric and then let the grow bags rest on top of those. I know you don't want to create water puddles but maybe..maybe, it could work. Happy growing friend! ~B

@BBettaGarden it's not quite a food forest it just sounds like one😂. Everything in my backyard is planted around the perimeter of the yard. Which were/are flower beds. Flower beds with a few bushes. Because I'm renting my house I decided to take advantage of the available space. So, I do have plans to do what you suggested. 😊 Although I will still have to remove some of the soil before laying the landscape fabric. Thanks for that extra tip😊 Appreciate it 😊

I am just thrilled to learn more about your garden 💚💚

Oooohhhh! Tomatoes in 7 gallon grow bags, I love it!🍅 thanks so much for watching and commenting Tracie! ~Batavia

🌽🌽🌽 love it!

Heya Jennifer! You just dropped tips #6 and #7. And as the summers are getting hotter, being able to move them to a shadier spot is huge! I admire gardeners (hard stop). Now to add to that, gardeners that grow in extreme heat, y'all hold a special place in my garden heart 💚. Grow on! ~Batavia

Now you know I also claim all boarding states as my garden neighbor 😊so heya garden neighbor 💚! Now did I read, half-gallon containers right? 😊are they producing tomatoes yet? P.S. thanks for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Heya Sheila! Thanks so much for your kind comment 💚 I often think about what the front yard would be like if it was containers and in ground growing rather than raised beds 🤔. ~Batavia

Heya Carol! I just love the 5 gal buckets. But you may have won me over with the waist high grow boxes 😊💚. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. And happy growing! ~Batavia

Heya! So glad to hear you grow peas in containers, I missed my window to grow them this Spring and want to try growing them this Fall. P.S. I learned the heard that Mint should only ever be grown in containers 😊. Thanks for watching and commenting!💚 ~Batavia

Heya Rosalynn! Thanks for watching & commenting! Tomatoes might be my fav thing to grow.. Wait, they absolutely are :-) You all have a wonderful long growing season in Georgia! 🍅. Happy growing!

Heya Netta! Florida gardening, alright! Roses in grow bags, I would never have guessed but it makes sense! Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy growing! ~Batavia

Greetings!! Many thanks! commenting! Do you typically grow during your winters? Or is that time to plant for the new growing season 😊💚. ~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden Actually I started growing about a year ago so I am new to gardening and I am trying to grow all year round. Just watching what grows best in each season.☺

Thanks so much Sis! I don't think I realized you were growing in containers. And hey, taking a break is fine anytime but definitely in the heat of Cali! 💚

You are so welcome!💚

Heya Wanda! I have hit or miss luck with spinach. If it overwinters and comes up in the spring, I can get a nice harvest. But when I plant in the spring or for fall, sometimes I get it and sometimes not..working on my timing 😊😊. Thanks for watching and commenting 💚! ~ Batavia

Heya Chicago neighbor! 😊

Heya Chicago neighbor! 🙌🏽🙌🏽 for the tomato and pepper successes! Those were some of the first plants I grew too! 💚~Batavia

Heya!! Those are some of my favs to grow!😊 thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it! 💚 ~Batavia

Thanks so much! 7 gallons are a nice size but I've grown some herbs in smaller decorative pots before. 😊

Heya! Love to hear you growing in containers, in ground and a raised bed. I sometimes think about what my front yard space would look like without raised beds and just in ground and containers 😊. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Thanks so much for watching, commenting and subscribing! I just love love love that you're turning unusual "things" into containers to grow in!!! I can almost picture the strawberry container suspended in air 💚🍓😁! ~Batavia

Heya! It's been slow start for many of my summer plants. June can be pretty cool temp/garden wise, here in Chicago so my heat loving plants don't always take off until July (well, I also plant pretty late too 👀). Hoping things bounce back for you 💚. ~ Batavia

Heya!! So I have to give you a virtual high five 🙌🏽 for your love for collards, cause..Same!😊😂. And wowzer @over 100 bags. As I've read the comments, grow bags of some sort seem to be used most commonly. Thanks for watching and commenting and happy growing 💚! ~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden 🖐🏾❤

The sunflowers are the number one plant that my neighbors ask about. They are really stunning. 🌻💛

Heya Joann!! Thanks so much for your kind comment💚❤️. Sounds like you have a food forest! And I'm encouraged as I read you and others are growing various types of fruit in containers! I feel like that is definitely something I am 'missing' in my space. Since this video, I'm at every other day for my GreenStalks, specifically for the tiers that I steal have leafy greens (I wonder if those root systems are just larger). I did some weeding last week and this weekend in between my neighbors fence and the wooden cages in the backyard and it's a chore but I really need to try to manage them because they grow so tall that they create shade for what's growing in those beds. And then once the weeds go to seed, oh me, oh my. Wishing you fewer weeds, manageable weather and abundant harvests! 😊💚 P.S. I added Patio Baby eggplant to my list to search ok. Thanks!~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden that’s a sweet reply, thank you! Wishing you abundance and a good harvest in all parts of your life!

Heya Judi 💚! We're pretty close with last frost dates but I'm thinking summer may be a tinge hotter for you all and maybe your winters are consistently cold like here in Chicago (I could have this wrong though). Are you planting potatoes at 3 different times a year? If so, about when are you planting and harvesting?

@@BBettaGarden We have been in the 80s and 90s all June, but we are getting a good amount of rain this year. I'm so thankful. July has been in the upper 80°s - mid 90°s. Last year we were in the 100°s. Our winters fluctuate a lot. Snow usually melts within a day. In Missouri they say if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes. Our winters are pretty mild except in January and the first two weeks of February--we have ice storms and a few days of minus degree temps. We often see some nice sunny 70° temps around the end of February, going into March. It's deceiving because we can still have snow in May. (This is why we have tornadoes.) You can garden with protection. My brassicas went out the last week of February this year. I put my first potatoes in grow bags the end of February, knowing they will probably need protection. I take them early as new potatoes, replanting with my second crop in May. The third crop can go through October or early November with some protection.

Thanks for the additional details! That's a world wind of weather. 100 degree temps and possible snow in May 🤯! Those potatoes you plant in May are growing in the heat and that's helpful to know. 😊 I may not get exactly 3 plantings but I can definitely succession plant to a degree.😊 thanks again!💚

That’s awesome!👏🏾 😊 Keep giving him/her some veggies and they will encourage your container gardening! 😅😂 You may be encouraging them & your neighbors to grow in containers too! Hello from your “neighbor “ in Long Island, New York, zone 7B! 👋🏽😄❤️

It’s my second year gardening in containers, I retired last year and started off small last year. This year I am growing 6 varieties of tomatoes, 5 varieties of green peppers, four 7 gallon grow bags for my potatoes. I also have a vertical green stalk and am growing carrots, flowers, potatoes also, herbs ect I grew a lot of pollinator flowers & strawberries. I planted garlic last fall & waitng for them to die off soon. Since I am in Long Island, New York zone 7B. so I will wait until August to start succession planting for fall crops. Learned from other RU-vidrs about using shade cloth which is a game changer especially since it’s in the high 80’s right now! Thanks for giving us information about using containers! God bless! 😊❤️

Heya Ingrid! So glad to hear you enjoy my videos and I am SO excited to hear about what you're growing on your balcony! Gardeners find a way, right💚. And you know what, I feel a little more confident every year to. There is always a new veggie or plant to focus on so there is always something to learn which is one of the many things I love about gardening 😊. Oh and I'm saying a garden prayer that your landlord will enjoy some home grown tomatoes or peppers, and let you continue on your garden journey 💚 ~Batavia

Heya! I just love love love to hear folks getting started and growing such diverse garden! I'm yelling from my front porch to no one in particular, lol, this is all being grown in containers! virtual high fives and happy growing! 💚~Batavia

@@muniondalenewyurk6777 will do, tank you for the advice 🤣🙏🏾🥰

Heya Chicago neighbor Joy! Glad to read from you💚. I would love to compare notes on how our potatoes do. I've been trying to crack the code for growing them in containers :-) ~B

​@@BBettaGarden I will let you know

Thanks!💚

Heya garden neighbor! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Oh and I've been making notes and adding the things that I've not grown in containers to my list 😊. Hearing what gardeners have had success with is super helpful, especially gardeners near me. Thanks again! ~Batavia

Thanks Lana!💚

@@BBettaGarden def gonna be tuning in now that I’m subscribed. Hoping to gleen some knowledge and ideas. I’m fighting dragons down here in south Florida for which I have no solution.

Thanks for subscribing and answering the call (Game of Thrones reference😊)!

Heya Risa! Love to hear about rooftop gardens! And I need to add cucumbers to my list of veggies to try again in containers! Thanks for watching and commenting! 💚~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden It's good for me in some ways doing my garden on the rooftop it protects my plant from a lot of Insect and disease. my biggest problem is the sun tends to get really hot so I have to use shade cloth. So far for instance in a few hour we are expecting a category 4 hurricane heading to our island Seoul I am here trying to get some of my plan To Safety..

I hope that all is well for you, your family, neighbors and garden 💚.

Heya Charlene! Great to hear that GreenStalks do well in such a warm climate 💚 Batavia

Heya Angela! So glad you enjoyed. thanks from watching and commenting!💚 ~Batavia

Heya Terry! Ahh, someone who grows tomatoes in buckets! That's so encouraging. Thanks for watching and commenting! Happy growing! ~B

Heya Rebecca B.! I haven't tried 15 gallon grow bags yet, that seems like it could be a real sweet spot. And great tip re: the plastic lined bags. Items great to hear you enjoy my channel 💚. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Some of my favs! 💚 Thanks for watching and commenting! ~Batavia

Heya Nan! Great to read from you😊 I collected them from various alleys just before trash pick up day (true story). They may or may not have the branding of a very popular soda company on them 😊. Happy gardening! ~B

Hey Chicago neighbor!! 🙌🏽Peaceful is exactly it. Hearing you recognize this as your calling brings me so much joy as a fellow gardener 💚. Happy growing Leida! ~Batavia

Heya Lori! Such a good suggestion. There is a part of the video (I might have cut it out) where I mentioned a few other containers and I was talking about those rectangle window boxes. I added them to those metal plant stands that are typically used for indoor plants. Anywho, I've had some great success with lettuce and even carrots one year. Radishes are such a good idea too! Thanks for watching and commenting! 💚~Batavia P.S. this is from a few seasons ago but the setup I'm talking about is up near the railing) ru-vid.com-FAC0xrBovE?si=DfmVxBNFFYz5Cmxb)

Heya! I had some collards that thrived in 10 gal grow bags last Spring (2023)! thanks for watching and commenting! 💚~Batavia

And you're so very welcome!💚

I made a mistake I live in zone 8a not 8b😊

Heya! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! How is your gardening doing with the heat this summer? ~Batavia

Heya Alice! thanks for watching and commenting! That's quite a lineup! I have been thinking about dropping some beet seeds in a container. Are you using any trellising for the cucumbers? ~B

While tomatoes are my fav to grow, potatoes are my favorite to eat 😊😊

Heya Darla a.k.a. Garden neighbor, because IN is right next door! 💚 You are so right about the benefit of moving containers around. I love that I'm able to change the garden from year to year simply by moving my containers around. I believe I've seen those plastic barrels online with folks growing in them. So resourceful! Now on to the thing that I had not really thought of until I started reading the comments from this video.. and thats dwarf tomatoes. I sitting here thinking, that's the answer to my desire to try so many different varieties. Do you feel like the taste is as good as full size plants? And do you have any recommendations for varieties to try 😊? 💚 Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And I just love that my passion can come across the screen 😊💚. happy growing! ~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden I am growing around 9 varieties of dwarf tomatoes this year, (I've kind of lost count), and this is really only my second year getting serious about it. The ones I am most looking forward to this year, because of recommendations from those who have grown them are: Nano's Meatball, Sweet Scarlet, Purple Rain (as opposed to Purple Reign), Waratah and Awesome. I like what I call Loud Flavor in my tomatoes, with more of a sweet note. My favorites from last year were Maralinga, Boronia, and Uluru Ochre, even though the plants didn't do exceedingly well. I have spent the past few months gaining knowledge about growing better ones, and so far this year, they are looking good (knock on wood!) As for the taste, certain varieties are just as flavorful as full-sized plants, and others are lackluster, like those of some full-sized plants. I find Tomatofifou to give a good description of the varieties, and have spent waaay too much time on their site, researching. I am also a part of a FB tomato group (Tomato Lovers Collective and Swap!) that shares seeds and experiences with all the tomatoes, grown in a wide variety of climates. I would suggest you think about the flavors and colors you love and find ones that fit that bill. And if you want, I would be happy to share some of the seeds I harvest from this year's plants.

Thanks so much for the through reply. I've taken a screenshot and added a note to my calendar to dig into some of these varieties this Fall in preparation for next year. Thanks again!💚🍅

Heya Garden neighbor! (I count anyone in IL or bordering stares as a garden neighbor 😊) May was super wet here in Chicago and then June was a bit dry and much hotter than normal. I hope you don't have to start over. For the seed starting, have you tried "winter sowing" I did a version of it this Spring and plan to do more next winter. I appreciate you watching and commenting! 💚! Batavia

Heya Cindy! I hope you enjoyed your vaca in Chicago! I think this will be the first year that I am growing in all of the grow bags I have. Each year I tend to leave a few in the garage :-). Peppers seem to do well in just about any size container :-) Do you do anything special for your tomatoes? And you know I'm super excited to hear you're 1) growing potatoes and 2) using the Ruth Stout method. I love it! 💚 Happy growing! ~B

@@BBettaGarden nothing special for the tomatoes. I do let them get nice and tall before I transplant them outside. It’s mostly cherry varieties, bury the stems deep as I can, after removing the bottom branches. I’ve struggled with slicers, just getting a few here and there. This is my next project, find varieties of slicers for next year that produce heavily. If you have any recommendations, I’d love it!

Heya Cindy! Cherry tomatoes makes sense and thanks for the tips. My favorite slicer with great production is the Pineapple tomato. I'm terrible at describing these things but it has more of a citrus taste than some of your red slicers. Here's a look at the tomatoes ru-vid.comzhJ6wvmS7g8?si=xOzn5YnZuChDNXl8

👍🏽

Hey there! I didn't do it myself. The gentleman that built my deck/porch built it on top of the raised beds that were there. It is one of my fav projects from the garden though 😊. Good luck with the rabbits! P.S. would something a temporary PVC pipe and netting work? If so, here are a couple of short videos of things I've done. ru-vid.comwflkHQTwjFc?si=x72zmdqVw6YT_5e6 ru-vid.com3xm8gJT_C-s?si=KfnQ4fFGo-82ymDJ (there is also a long version of this one under my DIY playlist. ru-vid.comC60snwI8AWo?si=D8etoUmzoR4CoTSa

Hots are definitely slow growers and then boom! I grew lemon drop one year and watched it creep along and then I had more than I knew what to do with 😊.

Heya Donna! I'm still claiming you as a Chicago neighbor :-). So glad to hear you have found a way to continue to garden! For summer (in Texas no less), watering is going to be the biggest thing for the grow bags. Wishing you a balcony of abundance!💚 ~B

Heya Chicago neighbor! When there is a will, a gardener will find a way to garden 😊💚

Thanks Althea! It's galvanized welded wire I got from either Lowe's, or Home Depot (maybe Menards). I cut it to size. It looks like this: www.amazon.com/YARDGARD-308302B-Galvanized-Welded-Fence/dp/B00C4TQIQU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=77953350459&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IFAfwrJWYrYFgrCjGAcFJW0TTqiavFDxPmfQSv5J6PLQT7_MkawPtNQIAEpoS2Kf5bLHGinDmu6ffG76cHk1a60ukiZEFlxM-mE44p781zjbbXhDDD87e5r2xyfTUUZSPawkUJYTRwjhlHu0TnL7IaJmKOy-mckJ62XggXMxxrqGqLJTj2g5cTAp1XQTkni6G-scgyc_bamZilifiGT6nA.9kPmEmDJNXhO8suszgZjjbX-ZOk5TSdMNioaTm8LFEU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=678395558760&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9021740&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=17970429081801255360&hvtargid=kwd-296290549173&hydadcr=5160_13318423&keywords=4+ft+wire+fence&qid=1720472672&sr=8-3

Heya IL garden neighbor🙂! I just love reading about gardeners growing in all kinds of containers! 💚~B

Heya Chicago neighbor! So glad you to see you around these parts :-). Cukes and beans will love this weather, tomatoes too. You could start a dwarf variety or a micro variety from seed and produce tomatoes. But if you want to grow a full size tomato plant or even a cherry tomato, I would say pick up a plant. We won't have enough time to start tomato plants from seed and for them to grow and produce before the cold comes here in Chicago. For lettuce, maybe start them from seed later in the month (they like the cooler temps). For critters - I use netting mostly. Here's a playlist with a couple of ideas. ru-vid.com/group/PLihX7VHJnSicu-mYZIIH6lljw7narI36A&si=3sxuhdPJ5HV__s_J And here's an Amazon store link with a lot of the things I use: www.amazon.com/shop/thebackyardgardner Happy growing! ~B

Heya Meb! It's completely preference but I like 1 to 2 types of herbs in a container and 7 gal and 10 gal grow bags have done really well for me. 10 gallon is really nice because so many things can grow in them, 1 pepper plant (some people may plant 2), 1 tomato or a couple of potato plants. If you have time, scan through the comments. Lots of feedback on the size containers people use for specific veggies, fruit and herbs. I leave most of those buckets out in the elements all year and I'd say they each last a few years at a minimum. I do find myself replace a bucket maybe once every year or two because the top rim part stays to crack. Hope this is helpful! ~Batavia

Im kicking myself, when I did it this year, I almost pulled out the camera but didn't. Are you on IG or FB? If so, I can do it with one of 10 gal containers and add it to my stories.

@@BBettaGarden I'm not. It's totally OK. Just thought I'd ask. Great video idea for that little space you want to fill in with one more bed..... smile.

💚

Heya! Yep, I use wire cutters like these. www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-16-26-AWG-Stranded-11046/100630720

@@BBettaGarden thank you so much

YW!

Hi there! I eat as much as I can fresh, gift some, and preserve a bunch 😊.

Heya Sadie! Thanks for watching and commenting. I have not read about stevia being poisonous. There are details like this "To date, there are no long-term studies outlining the safety of this sweetener although it has been used in other countries for many years." in the article below. When I search out things like this, I typically start with the plant name (or other details) and include "extension service" in my search, ex. 'stevia extension service'. Searching that way points me to local extension services in the U.S. which are tied to a state university. I feel comfortable with most things I find on extension services websites. extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation/sweeteners-nutritive-non-nutritive-sp-50-935 Happy growing! ~Batavia

Good morning and good afternoon friend😊! I've never tried topping the peppers to encourage the branching out. So you do this? I always see people do it but don't often see the plants later..I guess I'm a little skeptical. I am all but certain I started giant Marconi this year but it never made it outside. I have one Spanish mammoth planted and it looks good but all of the peppers in the front yard long bed are being bullied by the tomatoes behind them (I need to prune some of the bottom tomato plant branches). I don't think ive ever grown Hungarian Hot Wax peppers. I see them in the stores all the time. So you pickle them? You know, I remember having a conversation some time ago about raised beds as containers. The beds in the backyard are absolutely on concrete. If I would call any raised bed a container, it would definitely be those beds😊. Sorry to hear about the missing grow bags. Im almost always the one reorganizing things and two years will pass before I find it 😔. For the potatoes, no food safe alternatives come to mind immediately. I thought of you this weekend because I used the landscape fabric to line a few flower pots☺️. Thanks for the garden love and I'm sending it to you from Chicago!💚

@@BBettaGarden Do I pinch out the growing tips of pepper plants? I have never before grown peppers other than the Hungarian Hot Wax; one of those I had in my mother's back garden (among her flowers) and her Hungarian neighbor from across the back way used to come over and eat the peppers; my mother didn't care so I suspect she was simply tolerating a plant she had *claimed* would be welcome among her tomatoes. Tried not to hurt anyone's feelings, doncherknow; the other pepper plant had been on the patio of my little condo suite 'way, 'way back when and a different Hungarian neighbor was happy to be invited to help herself to the fruits which she appreciated much more than I did. A very long time ago, I learned about pinching out apical growth points or tips to encourage branching on houseplants which for a long time were my only gardening outlet (in an apartment.) I'm willing to experiment with it because it makes sense to me and your friend Ben pinches out his pepper plants and as you do he calls it "topping." No; I've not pickled them although I understand they're very good if pickled. I've only ever eaten them fresh from the garden and I can tell you this: while they're a gentle, dawn-like yellow, they're mild and pleasant. As they mature, they blush, then they blush harder and deeper, and then they start to turn red as opposed to shrimp, pink, coral, red-orange which is what they'll have been up to this point. The more red they develop, the more heat they develop. A word to the wise, and all that. You're sure it's Hungarian Hot Wax peppers that are in the stores? Could those be banana peppers being sold? I'm asking because I *never* see Hungarian Hot Wax in the stores around here. (No matter, but of course I favor growing one's own!) And are they fresh, or pickled and in jars? I don't recall if you said, but do you have a specific part of your garden, perhaps a given number of containers, dedicated to experiments such as "topping?" This season it feels as though *everything* is an experiment, this dratted heat (in June, no less, while it still was June!) Hadn't thought of tomatoes as garden thugs, but from what you're saying they can be! Went a-Googling just now to find out if that landscape fabric is food safe and the consensus seems to be that it does not leach chemicals, but it *is* plastic which is anathema for many organic gardeners and with that in mind a commenter on one site suggested using newspaper. Well, D'uh! How come I didn't think of that! A thick enough layer of unprinted newsprint would do the job and it's available at various stores including WalMart. And now that I'm thinking about it, I might also use strips or long narrow vertical panels of double-corrugated boxes with as much of the obvious adhesive removed, plus any tape and/or labels and the outer or "top" layer if the ink is a color other than black which I believe and hope (and trust) is usually soy (?) and therefore safe...? Or, there's always the landscape fabric.... Gardening love from Northeast Ohio, straight to you! 😊💚💚💚💚💚😊

Heya Jazzy D! Thanks for asking, you can find us here: *Amazon store* Check out the products Batavia and Ben use in their gardens at www.amazon.com/shop/thebackyardgardner

I have a colleague who's brother grew a small apple tree in what had to between a 20 and 30 gallon container. The last time I spoke to him about it, they were making an apple pie from the bounty :-).

Heya! I'm hoping others jump in and reply. I am very very afraid of mice (one of the reasons I don't create my compost..I fear it may draw them in).. I've not don't anything specific to keep them out of the garden but there are a lot of stray cats in my neighborhood (often roaming around my yard). I really believe they have kept the mice population down. For as along as I've lived here, I've only seen a mouse once and it was in the alley. So I guess the only thing I have to offer is to ask if you have an outdoor cat or strays.. 💚 ~Batavia

@@BBettaGarden Hi, thank you for your reply! Yes, there are some cats in the neighborhood. I have not seen any mice in my yard, but my next-door neighbor did have a rat living in her yard because she was keeping dog food in her shed. She rectified that situation, but I am still paranoid. (The paranoia is more of a problem than seeing mice). I see people with their gardens, and they seem to have no concern. I want to be like that.