Grow Millionaire Hybrid Eggplant in Raised Garden or Container

 If you are someone who has a small yard or limited growing space such as an apartment balcony know that you can grow eggplant in a raised garden or a container.

Eggplant is being grown in a raised container on my patio.  It is the plant with large leaves on the right. 

If you enjoy eating eggplant and have a small space then I would recommend shopping for the Millionaire as this plant produced long and thin fruit that is approximately 12 inches long. The eggplant has smooth black skin and is nearly seedless.

Grow in a sunny location in soil that is well-drained. If you plan to grow in a container then choose one that is of a large size and make sure there is drainage on the bottom.

The millionaire eggplant is mature in 60 days, so plant to plant outdoors 6 weeks after the threat of spring frost has passed. I like to plant my eggplant outdoors by the end of April that way the days are warm and the threat of late frost has passed.

Space your plants in a raised garden three feet apart and water 2-3 times a week until the plant is established. If you find that your container or raised garden bed soil is dry to the touch and then water your plants. Know that container and raised gardens tend to dry out faster than growing plants in the ground.

Rustic Trunk Planter Ideas

Instead of shopping for new clay or plastic planters for your flowers or greenery, go to yard sales, and buy rustic wood trunks for your garden. These rustic trunks will add interest to your garden. A container that is different from the norm will not only enable your plants to grow but will also be a focal area in your yard and garden.

Grow petunia in a rustic trunk planter

Here is a digital design that I created to show one of the clients how she could utilize one of her vintage trunks. In her case, the trunk would be set up on a sunny porch that had rain protection. 

Before planting in a wooden trunk I would recommend that you apply

a water seal to protect the wood. Also, you would not fill the trunk with soil but you would drop in a plastic shelf about 10 inches into the trunk. Then on top, you would add your self-watering planters for your flowers, herbs, or sweet potato vines.

This open trunk planter is unique and adds tremendous interest to your garden.

Growing Carrots - Home Garden Tips

If you intend to put in an early spring vegetable garden this year then make a point to grow carrots.  Carrots are not only easy to grow they are also nutritious as they will provide you a good source of vitamin A.

You can grow carrots in the ground, in a raised bed, or in a container.  As long as you provide the carrots with their growing requirements you be able to grow and harvest a delicious sweet vegetable.

When to plant

Carrots are a hardy vegetable that prefers to grow in the sun when the weather is cooler. The best time to plant carrots is when the soil has thawed out from winter and can be turned over.  Prepare your carrot bed by turning over the soil with your tiller.  Loosen the soil to 18 inches deep and then work out the soil clumps until the soil texture is loose.  Carrots will grow well in deep soil that is a fine texture and is well-drained. 

Where to plant
Before planting your carrots it is best to test the soil as carrots do not grow well in soils that are acidic.  A pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is agreeable soil for growing carrots.

Planting Carrots
Sow carrot seeds into a prepared garden site in early spring.  Plant the seed ¼ inch deep in rows.  Space the carrots twelve inches apart.   When all the seeds are planted, cover the seedbed lightly with compost and water well.  

Caring for carrots
Keep the carrot bed hydrated during the growing season. Soil that is evenly moist but not wet is best.  

When the seedlings emerge from the soil you may need to thin them out.  Best to have 12 inches in-between plants.  Apply an organic mulch of pine needles, tree bark or wood chips around the carrots to keep the soil moist and cool and to deter weed growth.

 
Tips
You can grow carrots in the ground, in a raised bed, or in a container.

Carrots grow best when there is hydration. Heavy spring showers will bring sweet and delicious carrots as carrots do not grow well in drought or hot weather.  The best temperature to for growing carrots is 60 to 70 degrees.

Fertilize carrots with compost when you sow the seed and then again when the tops are 7 to 8 inches in height.  

Watch the soil line for orange crowns, if you see this then cover them with soil or compost to protect them from sun damage and garden pests. 

Prevent pests; grasshoppers, and wireworms, in the garden by dusting with diatomaceous earth food grade.  

For small yards grow baby carrots (Little Finger) in a container or raised garden bed. These carrots only grow three inches however they are crisp and sweet.

Growing Lettuce from Seed

Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is grown annually in outdoor gardens, or containers.  Lettuce is mostly used for salads or as a garnish for a sandwich.  This nutritious vegetable is rich in vitamin A and potassium.   Lettuce can be grown indoors, outdoors in a garden bed, or in a container.  If you plan on growing lettuce outdoors then provide your lettuce with a minimum of six hours of sun.

 

Instructions for Growing Lettuce

When to plant:

Plant lettuce in the spring; mid-March for seeds and if you intend to grow seeds indoors and transplant outdoors then plant the seedlings in early April.  For your fall lettuce crop plant mid to late August for bib lettuce and July to August for romaine lettuce.

Sowing Seeds:

Plant lettuce seeds by sowing them in a prepared garden bed.  Set the lettuce seed on the soil and then use the eraser end of a pencil to push the seed ¼ inches into the soil.  Plant the seeds 15 inches apart.  Water well after all the seeds have been planted. 

Transplanting Seedlings:

Grow lettuce seedlings in rows in the garden bed; dig a hole that is as deep as the root.  Set the seedling in the hole and cover the root ball with dirt. Firm the soil around the stem.  Space the lettuce seedling 15 inches apart and water well.

Caring for Lettuce:

Keep newly planted lettuce seeds and transplants hydrated.  Do not let the soil dry out as it will cause stress on the plant.  It is best to keep the soil evenly moist by not wet.  Water lettuce plants in the morning.  Warning if you have heavy soil and overwater the lettuce then it will rot. 

Harvesting Lettuce

Harvest the lettuce leaves in the morning before the sun is high in the sky.  I like to cut the lettuce heads early in the morning at the soil level.  I will harvest lettuce when the dew is still on the leaves.  I like to believe that this is when the lettuce is not under stress and the leaves have the best flavor.

For leaf lettuce, I will cut off large leaves and leave the lettuce head intact.  That way it will continue to grow.  

Wash the lettuce to remove the dirt from the leaves.  If the leaves are damaged then remove these leaves from the head after the leaves are clean put them in an air-tight container and refrigerator before the leaves wilt.

Lettuce Tips:

Type: Annual
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Thin to: 4"
Light: Sun
Days to germination: 10-15
Maturity: 45-50 Days