Container gardening with Kelly: Lessons learned

The season isn't over yet, but I've already learned quite a bit about container gardening this year. Most of it has been trail and error, but here are some things I'll have to keep in mind for next year

• Start seedlings early and in large containers. The root systems appear to do better in bigger vessels, such as plastic 12-ounce cups. Start in early March.
• Don't event think about hardening off the plants until at least the end of April. I started to early and killed off a whole crop of seedlings.
• If you're going to buy seedlings, start with the good stuff. Examine the seedlings and make sure you get the healthiest, hardiest-looking plants.
• Compost is essential, as is good drainage and sand. Make sure the planters have drainage holes, add a two-inch layer of play sand, then three or four inches of quality compost. Follow that up with a Tablespoon of sugar and several crushed egg shells for tomatoes or quality potting soil for others.
• Use rainwater! A rain barrel is a great investment for gardening. It's cheaper and better.
• Add more crushed eggshells on the surface of the soil after tomatoes start blooming to prevent blossom-end rot.
• Water at the soil surface, not near the leaves or fruits.
• More at the end of the season!