Don’t forget edible flowers!

While not exactly a vegetable, edible flowers definitely have their place on your plate. They also add a gorgeous burst of color to any window box. Nasturtiums are among the most beautiful edible flowers, as are calendula flowers. Also called marigolds, the flowers have a sharp, sometimes peppery taste and are a nice addition to salads or as beautiful garnishes.

Caring for your vegetables

You’ve chosen your containers and decided which vegetables you’d like to grow. Now’s the fun part: raising your healthy plants!  Here are a few failsafe tips:

• Many plants will need to be watered twice a day. The best time for watering is in the morning or evening.
• Some plants, such as peas, will need stakes to support vines as they grow upward.
• If you’re painting a container, try not to paint it a dark color, which absorbs heat.
• Don’t use soil dug up from your yard. Gardening vegetables in a container requires soil that is an equal mixture of potting soil peat moss, perlite, vermiculite or sand.

Harvesting your vegetables

No matter which plants you decide to grow, it’s thrilling harvesting your own healthy vegetables. Pick them early, if possible, and don’t let them go to seed, as that can cause certain vegetables to taste bitter and can also decrease the productivity of the plant. In short, harvest as often as you’re able to enjoy a bounty of fresh vegetables.