Before we know it we are – smack – in the middle of growing season!  If you are like me, and you missed the first six months of gardening completely because life happened, but you still want to catch up – despair not, help is on the way!

I always love the idea of small space gardening because here in Ocean Shores we are blessed with a very active deer population that turns most plants instantly into deer food, and we have to be creative with either our plant choices or with our location decisions. For me it’s five gallon pots on my balcony despite having a large vacant but fence-less lot where deer love to visit often and in large numbers.

So, hold on to your hats, and here we go:

Benefits of Gardening with Pots

Vegetable gardening in five-gallon containers is highly rewarding, especially on our windy, coastal Pacific Northwest coast. July in Ocean Shores brings the warmest weather, allowing you to maximize patio or balcony space. I personally set up a stepping system using inexpensive plastic utility shelving resulting in a somewhat vertical configuration.

The benefits of this approach are flexibility as pots can easily be moved to follow the sun or be tucked away from coastal winds, and mobility as frost sensitive or heavy-yielding plants such as peppers and eggplants can quickly be moved to a greenhouse as fall approaches. Pest and weed control are a cinch as gardening using pots avoids ground-dwelling pests and soil borne diseases.

What to Grow in July

July is the perfect time to plant mid-to-late summer crops. Because it takes time for roots to stretch, choose dwarf, determinate, or bush varieties such as Tiny Tim or Bush Early Girl tomatoes that thrive when temperatures reach 65-75F.  Peppers are perfect for summer balconies, and bush cucumber varieties can easily be set up in a pot using a trellis for vertical growth. Greens and radishes mature quickly and also enjoy the cooler coastal mornings which makes them equally ideal for early fall planting. And, yes, you can even still grow zucchinis in July as they are excellent producers. Just make sure to limit it to exactly one plant per five-gallon bucket.

July is also a good time to get an early start on your fall planting. Plant fast-maturing cool-weather vegetables in July for an autumn harvest. Start seeds in your pots outdoors by mid-to late July. Five-gallon pots are perfect for this, but because the coastal July heat can scorch young starts, you must keep the soil consistently moist. The top veggies for late July are leafy greens such as arugula, spinach, kale, and leaf lettuce. Brassicas such as cabbage, broccoli, and Asian greens such as Bok Choy may have to be started indoors as they won’t germinate well in hot summer heat, but they still deserve an ‘honorable mention’ as suggestions for pot gardening. Root vegetables to include, carrots and beets, do not transplant well and should therefore be sown directly into the pots outside.

When starting fall planting in July – which is definitely an option – make sure you manage moisture well.  Water often and be prepared to add some mulch to the pots or to move them out of the sun to a shady area.

Setting Up Your Pots for Success

Proper preparation is the secret to successful pot gardening. Drill three to five holes in the bottom and a few on the sides about half an inch from the base of the pot to ensure excellent drainage. Use a high-quality potting soil or compost mix rather than dense ground soil. This ensures roots get the necessary aeration. Depending on your crop, mix in a high-nitrogen or high-phosphorus fertilizer to boost fruiting.

Make sure you water frequently as limited soil volume dries out much faster than ground beds. Expect to water daily or every other day during the warm summer weeks, especially on dry, windy days.

Watch for nutrient depletion. Nutrients wash out of pots faster due to frequent watering. You may need to supplement with liquid fertilizer periodically. Ocean Shores can experience strong winds. Be prepared to stake tall plants (like tomatoes or peppers) or move the buckets closer to a wind-blocking wall.

Give gardening in pots a try! You might just like it, and you will find that your harvest will still be substantial and will surely supplement or even replace the produce you usually buy.

Check out www.gardenbytheseaoceanshores.org for a rich variety of gardening tips, activities, or to rent a plot. I have owned one since 2019, and it’s been a most enjoyable experience!

Enjoy the summer days in July and see you in the garden!

For more information on this article or Garden by the Sea, contact us at info@gardenbytheseaoceanshores.org.