Vegetable Growing Bags: Versatile Options for Horticulture and Various Plants Cultivation
Hey there, budding gardener! Ever wondered about this container gardening craze called grow bag gardening? Here's the lowdown on why it's worth considering for your edible garden.
Even with a large in-ground garden, I've been diving headfirst into the world of container gardening using grow bags, and let me tell you, they’ve been a game-changer in just a couple of seasons. Whether you’re space, time, or energy-strapped, or simply looking to add flexibility and options to your current garden, grow bags could find their spot in your garden plan.
I caught up with Kevin Espiritu, the man behind Epic Gardening, who literally wrote the book on growing in grow bags – yep, called Grow Bag Gardening. To hear our conversation in this episode of the Beginner's Garden Podcast, check below, or keep reading for highlights.
So, What Exactly is a Grow Bag?
A grow bag is a fabric pot made from either a fiber or recycled plastic blend – think dark-colored, possibly with side handles for portability, and various shapes and sizes at your disposal.
What Can You Grow in a Grow Bag?
One of the reasons grow bag gardening is so popular is its versatility. Most of what you'd plant in a raised bed, and even direct ground planting, can be grown in a grow bag – perfect for those in small spaces or urban areas.
Summer harvests like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, greens, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, and root crops are all fair game. You can even trellis up tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash directly from the grow bag, and move them around for optimal sun exposure.
Growing Potatoes in Grow Bags
Another popular option? Potatoes. The process is exactly the same as planting potatoes in the ground. When the potatoes begin sprouting, it's time to plant. Aim for a 10-pound grow bag or larger, and one potato per 5-pound bag should do the trick. Fill the bag with 4 inches of soil, plant your potatoes, then top with another 4 inches. Water, let them sprout (even in the garage during this phase), then move them outside once sprouts appear. As your potato plants grow, continue topping with soil, and you're golden.
Why Should I Use Grow Bags if I Already Have a Garden?
Even if you have a garden, there are benefits to adding grow bags to your space. Grow bags let you expand your crop selection, grow flowers and herbs to attract beneficial insects, and use them as pest traps (e.g., planting nasturtium next to cabbage and kale to lure aphids away). Plus, they're perfect for growing perennials that can be a bit invasive in your regular garden beds.
Grow Bag Size Matters
When it comes to grow bag size, a good rule of thumb is to use square foot gardening techniques, adjusting as best as possible for your bags. For most classic summer crops, keep your bag at a minimum of 10 gallons.
Growing Perennials in Grow Bags
While most plants you'd put in a container can thrive in a grow bag, perennials require a bit more attention. It's always a good idea to size up your grow bag – especially for perennial crops with aggressive growth habits like mint.
In Kevin's book, Grow Bag Gardening, he goes into detail on growing all sorts of perennial herbs and even fruit trees in grow bags.
The Best Soil for Grow Bags
Because grow bags offer air pruning benefits (explained below), you'll need to water more carefully to prevent nutrient flushing. To account for this, add extra nutrients and water retention ingredients like compost, worm castings, and/or vermiculite to your potting mix or homemade soil, making up around 10-15% of the mixture.
The Benefits of Growing in a Grow Bag vs. a Container
Unlike traditional containers, grow bags allow roots to grow without hitting a hard surface, so they can signal the plant to send out more roots and form a stronger root system.
Watering Grow Bags
Grow bags require a bit more attention when it comes to watering, but essentially, it's the same process as with containers. To check if your bags need watering, give them a nudge with your foot – if they don't move, they're likely saturated. If they do, they probably need more water.
Incorporating drip irrigation or bottom watering methods can make the process easier.
Brands Matter
Finally, make sure your bags are BPA-free. Kevin recommends brands like SmartPots, Bootstrap Farmer, or your local farm supply store.
Hopefully, this introduction to grow bag gardening gives you a solid starting point! For more in-depth yet easy-to-follow instructions and unique ideas for growing in grow bags, pick up Kevin's book, Grow Bag Gardening!
- To delve deeper into grow bag gardening, check out the Beginner's Garden Podcast episode featuring Kevin Espiritu, the author of the book Grow Bag Gardening.
- With its versatility, grow bag gardening can cater to various gardening needs, making it an ideal solution for small spaces, urban areas, or those seeking more flexibility and options in their current gardening setup.
- Apart from vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and root crops, grow bags can be used to grow flowers, herbs, and even perennials, offering an opportunity to expand your crop selection and attract beneficial insects.
- When choosing grow bags, it's essential to select a brand like SmartPots, Bootstrap Farmer, or from your local farm supply store, ensuring that the bags are BPA-free for optimal plant growth.
