Module 9: Preparing The Containers

Now it’s time to prepare the containers so they are ready for planting the seeds and seedlings. You should already have bought the containers based on the vegetables you want to grow.

Create Drainage Holes

It’s important your container has drainage holes so excess water can drain out. Otherwise, your plants will suffer from overwatering causing issues like root rot.

I would recommend buying containers that already come with drainage holes. But if they are not already there, you’ll need to drill it yourself. This is easy to do in plastic containers using a hot screwdriver or knife.

Clean The Container

Before we can use the container, we need to clean it so there are no chances of pests and diseases.

You can sterilize the container with a solution made using 9 parts water and 1 part bleach. Apply this solution on the inside and outside of the container. Leave it for an hour. Then rinse it will clean water.

Place Filler At The Bottom

Now it’s time to add potting soil but before that we can add some filler at the bottom. This prevents the potting soil from falling out of the drainage holes.

You can use material such as dried leaves, coco coir, broken terracotta pieces to cover up the drainage holes.

Add The Potting Soil

Add the potting soil into the container until it reaches 3 inches from the rim. Add 1 inch of compost on top of the potting soil. Mix the compost well into the potting soil using the trowel.

Don’t fill the entire container with potting soil. Leave 1-2 inches from the rim. So when you water the potting soil, it won’t overflow causing water and soil to fall out.

I would suggest watering the potting soil now. Add water until it comes out of the drainage holes. This shows that the drainage is working.

It also will settle the potting soil to the bottom. So you’ll see if you need to add more potting soil to bring it to the right level in the container.

Adding Plant Support

Some of the vegetables will be vining varieties or they may have weak stems such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beans. You’ll need to provide some support structure to these plants. 

It’s best to add support when preparing the container or during transplant. Once the plant has grown, you’ll find it difficult to use support like stakes and cages without damaging plant roots.

Stakes: Use stakes for tall plants like tomatoes to prevent them from bending or breaking under their weight.

Cages: Invest in cages for plants that tend to sprawl, such as peppers or eggplants, to keep them contained and upright.

Trellises: Install trellises for climbing vegetables like cucumbers or peas to guide their growth upwards and save space.

Netting: Consider using netting for delicate plants like beans or peas to give them a gentle but effective support system as they grow.

Action Steps

• Prepare the drainage holes in the container.
• Clean the container so it’s free from pests and diseases.
• Add the filler material to the bottom of the container.
• Add the potting soil to the container.
• Add plant support if the vegetable is going to need it.