Vegetable Garden Expansion with Reusable Grow Bags
Driver's Seat on Gardening: The Lowdown on Grow Bag Gardening
What's the deal with this container gardening trend, you ask? It's all about grow bag gardening. And if you're a vegetable gardener, this could be your next best move for your edible garden.
Even though I've got a large in-ground and raised bed garden going, I've jumped on the grow bag bandwagon, and lemme tell ya, it's been a game changer. No matter your gardening limits - space, time, or energy - grow bags could snag a spot on your garden plan. To get the full lowdown on this container gardening option, I chatted with the expert Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening. He literally wrote the book on it - Grow Bag Gardening.
To listen to our chat 'n dive even deeper into grow bags, give a listen to this episode on the Beginner's Garden Podcast. Or, keep readin' for the juicy deets.
So, WTF is a Grow Bag?
A grow bag is a fabric pot, either made from a fiber/fabric blend or recycled plastic. They're typically dark-colored, with handles on each side for easy transportability, and they come in various shapes and sizes.
What Can I Plant in a Grow Bag?
The beauty of grow bag gardening? You can pretty much grow anything you'd sow in a raised bed or plant directly in the ground. Perfect for those with limited space or urban dwellers, where space is a precious garden commodity, grow bags can be workhorses for your edible garden.
Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and other warm-weather stars of the summer harvest are a breeze to grow in grow bags. They're easy to trellis, even right from the bag. And moving them around to catch optimal sun or shade? No problemo - they're super adaptable.
Cool-weather crops like lettuce, kale, and other greens also fill out grow bags, serving up a bountiful harvest. Even root crops such as carrots, beets, onions, and garlic grow A+ in grow bags.
How Do I Grow Potatoes in Grow Bags?
Potatoes are another popular grow bag option. Start just like you would if planting potatoes in the ground - when the potatoes sprout (with their "eyes" growing about an inch long), it's go-time.
As for what size grow bag to choose, aim for a 10-pound bag or larger. A good rule of thumb is 1 potato per 5-pound bag. Fill it up with 4 inches of soil, plop in your potatoes, top with another 4 inches of soil, water, and wait. No need to worry about sunlight during this stage - they can chill in the garage until you see sprouts, then move 'em into the sun to keep 'em happy.
I Already Have a Garden. Why the Heck Do I Need Grow Bags?
I've got a big ol' garden too. But as gardeners, we're always lookin' to grow more. Or, in my case, to increase flexibility and diversity. I started growin' crops right outside my kitchen door in grow bags so I could snag a slicin' tomato, jalapeno pepper, or green for a salad ASAP.
Using grow bags allows gardeners to expand their garden beyond their current space, increasing flexibility and diversity. Plus, they're great for planting flowers and herbs to attract beneficial insects. Situate 'em near your in-ground or raised bed garden, and you've got a garden that brings in some serious veggie-is-better vibes.
Another clever grow bag tip? Plant nasturtium in a bag and place it next to crops that typically attract pests (like cabbage and kale). This lures aphids away from your tasty picks and helps control the pest population.
You can also use grow bags to plant perennials, allowing you to contain those spreaders without sacrificing the beauty they bring to the edible garden.
How Big of a Bag Do I Need?
Use the square foot gardening technique you'd use in a raised bed but tailor it to your grow bags, keeping your bag at a minimum of 10 gallons for classic summer crops.
Is There a Rule for Growing Perennials in Grow Bags?
While you should be able to grow anything you'd plant in a container in a grow bag, perennials require a bit more TLC. Always size up your grow bag, even for perennials, to give your plant plenty of room to spread its roots.
For larger perennials like mint, a 20-gallon grow bag might be ideal for containment and to ensure your precious plants have enough space to flourish.
In Kevin's book, Grow Bag Gardening, he dishes out tips for growin' a variety of perennial herbs and even fruit trees in grow bags.
What's the Best Soil for Grow Bags?
Because of the air pruning benefits of grow bags, you'll have to pay special attention to watering. To combat potential nutrient loss, consider adding compost, worm castings, and/or vermiculite to your potting mix to help retain water and provide extra nutrients.
For easy soil recipe ideas, check out Kevin's book for numerous grow bag soil mix recipe blends.
Grow Bag Gardening vs. Traditional Container Gardening: What's the Difference?
When you plant in a traditional container with a hard surface, roots start givin' you the runaround when they reach that confining wall. But roots in grow bags instead hit a pocket of air when they reach the bag's edge, causing them to stop growing and sending a signal to produce more roots. This leads to a more robust root system, avoidin' the root-bound mess you might see in traditional pots.
Special Care for Watering Grow Bags:
A bit more finicky than traditional containers, grow bag watering still follows the same basic process. To check if your bags are sufficiently watered, nudge 'em with your foot. If they give little to no movement, they're likely soaked. If they give or if you notice they're heavy, they could use a drink.
Feelin' fancy? Incorporate drip irrigation or top 'em up with a kiddie pool full of water, then let 'em soak for several days to keep 'em moisture-happy while you're out of town.
Does It Matter What Brand of Grow Bag I Choose?
It does! Opt for BPA-free grow bags to keep your veggies free from any chemical nasties. Kevin recommends brands like SmartPots, Bootstrap Farmer, or your local farm supply store for quality, eco-friendly options.
Did this guide pique your interest in the world of grow bag gardening? Give Kevin's book, Grow Bag Gardening, a read for even more in-depth but hassle-free tips and unique growin' ideas to make the most of your garden.
Happy growin'!
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- With the rise of grow bag gardening, even homeowners with limited space can venture into vegetable gardening, as grow bags are versatile and suitable for growing a wide variety of plants, including tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, kale, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, and even potatoes.
- Grow bags, made from a fiber/fabric blend or recycled plastic, offer a game-changing solution for gardeners due to their easy transportability, adaptability, and large planting capacity.
- For those who are interested in expanding their home-and-garden lifestyle, today's digital landscape offers plenty of resources, including garden podcasts such as the Beginner's Garden Podcast, which features discussions with experts like Kevin Espiritu, the author of the book Grow Bag Gardening.
- To make the most of grow bag gardening, it's essential to choose the right size bag for the specific crop, with larger bags recommended for perennials like mint, and to use high-quality, BPA-free grow bags from brands like SmartPots or Bootstrap Farmer.
