Container Gardens

What is a container garden? A container garden is not just a “traditional garden.” Instead of planting in a plot of land – the vegetables, fruits, or herbs are potted in a container. Containers come in many different shapes, styles, and sizes. Container gardens create ample opportunities for creativity.

Examples:

  • Plastic bowls, tubs, buckets, or swimming pools
  • Kitchen pots, pans, colanders, and coffee mugs
  • Oval and round utility tubs
  • Flower boxes
  • Milk crates
  • Wagons
  • Wheelbarrows or grocery carts
  • Exercise your creativity, beautify your community, and help save the planet - use recyclable materials

Important: The material used must provide adequate drainage.

Where can I grow a container garden? Almost anywhere! Container gardens may be grown indoors or outside, and they can be virtually any size. They can be grown in any location offering sunlight or artificial light. Kitchens and dining and living rooms can be good locations for indoor container gardens. Porches, patios, and decks are excellent spaces for outdoor container gardens. An advantage to container gardening is most outdoor containers can be moved indoors or covered, if necessary.

Identify individuals or women-focused organizations in your community that can benefit from growing food to feed families. Invite the individuals/organizations who will benefit from the container gardens to join your project so they can learn to plant, maintain, and reap the benefits of the garden. If container garden recipients cannot participate in the project, care instructions should accompany the garden when it is presented.

Project tips:

Select your youth and/or adult partner group(s) and form a planning committee:

  • Invite local horticultural or garden clubs to join you
  • Invite a gardening expert to attend your event, and ask her/him to teach participants how to make and maintain the container gardens

Remember:

  • Adult chapters must partner with at least one youth group
  • Youth chapters must partner with at least one group of adults

Consider hosting a make-and-take container garden event:

  • Attendees make two container gardens, one garden is donated to the identified organization your chapter has decided to help, and the volunteer/participant may take the second container garden if she/he chooses

Container garden tips:

1. Determine the size and location of your project

2. Conduct research and decide what you want to grow

  • Select fruits and vegetables based on climate and sunlight/artificial light requirements

3. Choose/create the best containers for your produce:

  • Smaller containers work best for lettuce and radishes
  • 5-gallon containers work best for tomatoes
  • Longer containers work best for growing beans
  • Deeper containers work best for seed potatoes and other vegetables

4. Refer to seed packets or seedling instructions to determine the amount of sunlight and water required

  • This information will help determine the size and placement of your container garden as well.

5. Provide adequate drainage for your fruits, vegetables, and herbs by drilling holes in the bottom or on the sides of your container.

6. Use the recommended soil quantity and mix to facilitate garden growth.

7. Donate the container gardens to organizations/families in your community who can use the
food to help feed their families.

On JOIN HANDS DAY/at the project site:

  • Display current Royal Neighbors signage
  • Wear your Royal Neighbors’ volunteer badges
  • Keep a volunteer log
  • Require all participants to sign the Release and Waiver of Liability form
  • Ask participants to sign the Royal Neighbors of America Photographic and Personal Statement Release
  • Take quality action photos and forward them along with your JOIN HANDS DAY Report to the Fraternal Department at 230 16th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, or email the form and digital photos to your Fraternal Development Specialist
  • When sending emails, please make certain to include your chapter number, city, and state in the subject line
  • Make sure drinking water is available for all volunteers; your chapter may consider providing lunch as well

This reference sheet provides basic information only. Feel free to contact a local garden club or horticultural association for additional assistance and advice, or visit your local library or bookstore. You may want to invite a local garden club to join your initiative.

As always, it is important to provide clear adult supervision whenever youths are involved in a project. Additionally, caution should be exercised whenever operating power tools or potentially dangerous equipment.

Have fun and be safe!