Gardeners love planting anything they can find space for. We have seen flowers growing out of shoes, teacups, pallets and even wine bottles!
Grow bags offer gardeners an effective solution for creating mini vegetable gardens on their property, but may require special consideration when caring for these fabric raised beds.
Soil
Potatoe grow bags offer many advantages for their users, including being easily moved according to how much sunlight a crop needs. But this also requires meticulous soil preparation in each bag – starting by poking holes at the bottom, each of which should be slightly larger than your plant’s root ball, then shaking off excess soil from each hole by shaking.
Add rich, loamy garden soil to your grow bags for optimal results. For the best results, purchase topsoil from a garden center, which should be free from weed seeds and nematodes. Or create your own soil blend by mixing garden bed soil with compost from local feed stores as well as blood meal (nitrogen), bone meal (phosphorus), kelp meal (potassium) and worm castings into one mix – these will produce excellent results!
Hogan suggests placing bags filled with plants whose roots are exposed to air in bags in a kiddie pool filled with several inches of water; the moisture from this soaks into their soil and keeps plants hydrated, even if you leave for several days without watering your garden. This allows moisture wicking up through their root systems into their soil and keeping plants alive!
Grow bags offer an effective solution for overwintering certain crops such as potatoes and carrots; however, it should be remembered that their root systems will be above ground level, making them more vulnerable to frost or cold. Herbs grown in bags may also suffer frost damage but can be protected with plastic tubs or similar containers to maintain heat and moisture retention.
Water
Growing bags are generally constructed of porous fabric such as polypropylene or jute. Their lightweight nature and lower costs make them easier than clay pots to move around the garden or patio and move from location to location with relative ease. Handles should make lifting full bags easier. If you plan on transporting multiple grow bags often, select ones with strong seams and sturdy handles for optimal results.
An excellent soil mix is key to successfully cultivating in grow bags. You have two options for doing this – either use your own garden soil, or purchase topsoil from a gardening center. When purchasing topsoil, ensure it has been sterilized to remove weed seeds, nematodes and diseases; or make your own by mixing 1/3 moss, 1/3 compost mixture such as chicken manure or mushroom compost with 1/3 vermiculite (a moisture-retaining mineral) until nearly full in your grow bag.
Water the soil frequently, particularly if weather is hot or windy. Check soil moisture by picking up one corner of a bag; if it feels heavy then your plants do not require further irrigation; otherwise it needs to be watered more regularly.
Root crops such as carrots and radishes need to be transplanted directly into the ground; others, such as potatoes and kale, are more suitable to overwintering in your garden.
Beginner gardeners have found that grow bags can be an effective solution for growing almost all vegetables – with the exception of those requiring deep root systems. A 5-gallon bag can easily accommodate one tomato plant while three gallon grow bags can house pepper plants or large plantings of salad greens; even winter squash varieties such as ‘Jersey Golden Acorn’ may thrive with enough sunlight in its environment.
Fertilize
Kevin grows an astounding amount of food on an area of 1/3 an acre using various growing mediums (read Kevin’s book Grow Bag Gardening for details). One of Kevin’s favorites is using grow bags; these provide an ideal way for those with limited space who still wish to grow their own food while remaining affordable options for in-ground gardening. Although potentially more costly, grow bags offer many advantages.
Grow bags can be an efficient solution for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Their main advantage lies in being foldable for easy storage; lightweight enough to place in locations where growing may be challenging due to limited space or sun exposure; easy crop rotation as weather changes occurs; as well as protection from pests and diseases in the soil as well as depletion of nutrients from overextraction of soil nutrients.
Bags allow for deep root growth as their edges do not constrict root development. This feature is particularly advantageous when growing shallow-rooted plants such as brassicas and salad greens; additionally, root bound conditions are avoided by stopping roots from reaching the edge and continuing their course inside of the pot in a circular fashion, stopping water absorption and nutrition absorption.
Bags should be filled with organic rich loamy soil, purchased topsoil from your local garden center or compost. A light soil mix will prevent crusting and compacting of bags. Organic fertilizers such as powdered blood meal (nitrogen), bone meal (phosphorus) and kelp meal (potassium) may be added for additional nutrition; additionally, adding worm castings can add another source of nitrogen as well as beneficial microbes to the mix.
Watering
Grow bags offer a soft and breathable alternative to clay pots for gardening purposes, featuring handles attached for easy lifting and moving. Furthermore, grow bags are lighter and cheaper than clay counterparts; however they may crack when exposed directly sunlight for extended periods.
Grow bags come with one downside: they require frequent watering due to drying out more quickly. This issue can be addressed by adding moisture-retaining Coco Coir pellets into the soil mix or placing a tray under your bag in case there’s an overflow of excess liquids from its contents.
Root crops such as onions, turnips, beets and radishes tend to do well when grown in grow bags, while leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and kale as well as herbs like basil, chives and oregano can also be successfully planted in grow bags. Unfortunately crops that need extra “leg room”, like melons and squashes can’t fit inside grow bags unless they are very large in size.
When purchasing a grow bag, make sure it meets food-grade requirements and is made of polypropylene or another sturdy fabric. Aim for one that is lightweight yet pliable to help maximize performance; some bags are specifically tailored for specific types of plants while others can be folded up and stored after harvest season is complete. Size also matters; shallower bags might work better for roots while deeper ones might suit leafier vegetables better.
Harvesting
Gardeners with limited space often opt for grow bags as an easy and flexible solution, ideal for urban backyards, patios, rooftops and city balconies. They provide convenient mobility.
These gardening containers made of breathable fabric offer superior aeration to plants, making them healthier than growing in plastic pots or in-ground soil. Furthermore, these gardening containers drain well compared to pots that retain water and become soggy. Furthermore, this fabric helps prevent over-watering which could otherwise lead to root rot issues.
One downside of growing bags is their tendency to dry out quickly, necessitating more frequent watering sessions than usual. This may present difficulty when growing crops like cucumbers which thrive with consistent moisture but do not need soggy soil conditions. To help your cucumbers flourish successfully, ensure the soil remains consistently damp with nutrients for maximum success.
To achieve optimal growing conditions, add a high-quality soil mix into the bag. This may be purchased topsoil that is sterilized and free from weed seeds, nematodes, and diseases; bagged mixes such as potting soil or container mix may also work; alternatively an organic fertilizer such as worm castings (nitrogen), blood meal/bone meal (phosphorus) or alfalfa meal (potassium) can also work. Almost fill up the grow bag before closing tightly.
When cultivating vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers or squash that require support (vines or pumpkins), adding a cane into your bag and tying it securely will ensure your crop doesn’t collapse under its own weight. Furthermore, this provides support as it grows.
