After years of unsuccessfully defending my vegetable garden against weeds, bugs, periodic dry spells and an unusually brazen woodchuck, I discovered container gardening.
As it turns out, nearly anything that grows in a garden can be grown in a planter.
Not in the same quantities, of course. Container gardening might not be for you if you have a large family or if you want to preserve food for the winter. But it’s great for those who have limited space, are tired of battling the forces of nature or who want something fresh for dinner but don’t have time or energy for a larger garden.
Container gardening gives you control over the soil composition, the watering schedule and how much light your plants get. Placing the containers near your house discourages four-legged marauders, and it’s easy to walk out your door and pick lettuce or herbs whenever the impulse strikes.
Some plants actually seem to prefer being in a container over the conventional method. As an experiment, I planted one tomato plant in a whiskey barrel and the exact same variety in the ground. The whiskey barrel tomato looked healthier and yielded more fruit. I think it liked having warm “feet.”
I’ve also made mistakes, like putting sun-loving and shade-loving species together in the same planter. And last year, I tried planting a few dahlia bulbs in pots. To my surprise, the dahlias grew to be 6 feet tall (and very thirsty).
“How big does this get?” and “How much water does this need?” are two of the questions shoppers can have answered at plant sales being hosted by Upper Valley garden clubs, libraries and community groups this month.
These sales tend to be staffed by enthusiastic gardeners who are glad to provide advice or find someone else who can help. And since their offerings come from local gardens and greenhouses, they have a track record of success in our growing zone.
Here are some of the plant sales coming up in the next few weeks:
Plant sale
in Springfield, Vt.
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.-noon.
Springfield recycling center and transfer station, 135 Fairground Road.
Flower and vegetable plants grown by the Windsor County Extension Master Gardeners and Upper Valley nurseries. Master gardeners will be on hand to offer advice on plant characteristics, growing requirements and plant selection. Sale also takes place concurrently at the Hartford solid waste/recycling transfer center. 802-436-5950.
Plant sale
in White River Junction
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.-noon.
Hartford solid waste/recycling transfer center, 2590 North Hartland Road.
Flower and vegetable plants grown by the Windsor County Extension Master Gardeners and Upper Valley nurseries. Master gardeners will be on hand to offer advice on plant characteristics, growing requirements and plant selection. Sale also takes place concurrently at the Springfield recycling center and transfer station. 802-436-5950.
Mother’s Day plant sale
in Ascutney
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.
Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department, 540 Route 131.
Spring plants and flowers. 802-674-5021.
Chelsea Library
plant and book sale
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chelsea north common, Route 110.
Flowering hanging plants and books, along with baked goods for sale by the Chelsea Public School grades 3-5. 802-685-2188.
Mother’s Day plant sale
in Norwich
Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Norwich Public Library, 368 Main St.
Annuals, perennials and hanging baskets from Killdeer Farm, gently used gardening books and notecards made from librarian Beth Reynolds’ flower photographs. Hosted by Friends of the Norwich Public Library. Proceeds benefit library programs. 802-649-1184.
Plant Sale
in West Newbury, Vt.
Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m.
West Newbury Backroom, 7292 Route 5.
Annual plant and yard sale. Donations accepted; call for details. 802-449-7482.
Plant and craft sale in White River Junction
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.-noon.
United Methodist Church, 106 Gates St.
Perennials and locally made handcrafts. 802-295-7091.
Hanover Garden Club plant sale
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.- noon.
Garden club shed at Pine Knoll Cemetery, Route 10.
Perennials, annuals, vegetable starts, hanging baskets and the club’s signature gardening gloves. Also available this year are container planters and an expanded selection of the hummingbird favorite, columbine (aquilegia). Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and help with plant selection. Proceeds from the sale fund plant purchases for the 11 town gardens designed, planted and maintained by the Hanover Garden Club. 603-306-9260.
Grantham Garden Club plant sale
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.- 1p.m.
Grantham Town Hall, lower level, 300 Route 10
Annuals, vegetables, herbs, houseplants and perennials. 603-496-4565.
May Festival
in Springfield, Vt.
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse, 21 Fairground Road.
Indoor art exhibit and sale, crafts, a plant sale, musical entertainment and homemade food and baked goods. Rain or shine. 802-738-7726.
Quechee Garden Club plant sale
Saturday, May 25, 8 a.m.-noon.
Quechee green, Quechee Main Street
Locally grown annuals, herbs, hanging baskets and large pots of dahlias and patio tomatoes. A garden cafe will offer home-baked goodies, coffee, tea and juice. “Paint-a-Pot” craft table for children. Bring your own pot or urn and garden club members will help plant it. quecheegardenclub@gmail.com.
Woodstock Garden Club plant sale
Saturday, May 25, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Norman Williams Public Library lawn, 10 The Green.
Annuals from a local nursery, perennials from members’ own gardens (guaranteed to grow in this area), hanging baskets and home-baked goodies. Sale coincides with Woodstock’s Memorial Day parade. 802-457-1505.
Plant and book sale
in East Corinth
Saturday, May 25, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., and Sunday, May 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Blake Memorial Library, 676 Village Road.
Plants from local growers, greenhouses and private gardens, a book sale, and a Women’s Fellowship bake sale from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. 802-439-5338.
Hartland Garden Club Memorial Day plant sale
Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m.-noon.
Damon Hall lawn, 1 Quechee Road.
Annuals, perennials, vegetables, bulbs and more for spring planting. 802-436-2085.
“Plant Sale Plus”
in Lyme
Sunday, May 26, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Lyme common, Route 10.
Hosted by the Utility Club of Lyme, this sale features Lyme-grown perennials, annuals and vegetable seedlings, along with baked goods and a white elephant table of garden-related items. 603-795-2213.
Book, plant and pie sale
in Sharon
Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Baxter Memorial Library, 5114 Route 14.
A fundraiser for the Baxter Memorial Library. Donations of plants welcome. 802-763-2875.
Plant sale
in Newbury, N.H.
Saturday, June 8, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
The Fells Historic Estate & Gardens, 456 Route 103A.
Plants and shrubs from The Fells gardens and local nurseries. Sale includes alpine and rock garden plants, garden art and a white elephant table with gently used clay pots and landscape tools. Free tours of The Fells main house and gardens. 603-763-4789.
Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com.