How to Grow Vegetables in 30-Gallon Plastic Bags
- 1). Choose a sunny location that receives six to hour hours of sunlight a day. Some vegetables, such a salad greens, survive on less, but with inhibited growth. To produce abundant fruit or lush foliage, vegetable plants require adequate sunlight.
- 2). Place the garbage bag in its permanent location on a flat, solid surface. Placing the bag inside a plastic milk crate or other similar bin provides structure and reduces the risk of a ripped bag, but it is not necessary.
- 3). Layer the bottom inch or two of the bag with small stones or pebbles. This works to stabilize the bag and prevents roots from sitting in soggy soil.
- 4). Cut slits or punch six to eight holes around the perimeter of the bag, just above the rocks, to allow water to drain from the soil.
- 5). Add 1/2 to 1 inch layer of charcoal over the top of the rocks. Although charcoal isn't required, it does help filter the water and provides additional protection against stagnant water in the bottom of the bag.
- 6). Mix equal parts all-purpose potting soil or fine garden loam, perlite and peat moss to create a lightweight soil mixture for your plants. Garden loam or potting soil alone is too heavy for plants grown in containers and compacts easily with watering. Spray lightly with water to moisten the mixture.
- 7). Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup all purpose fertilizer at this time. Alternately, you can omit the fertilizer and apply water-soluble fertilizer with a sprayer or sprinkling can every 7 to 10 days.
- 8). Roll the top two inches of bag down two to three times to create a stiff "cuff." Fill the garbage bag three-quarters full with the potting mixture.
- 9). Position seedlings in the soil to their original planting depth. Fill in around the roots with soil mixture and firm down lightly to secure the plants.
- 10
Water when the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface of the soil. Water until water runs freely through the drainage holes at the bottom of the bag. Check your plants frequently, as the amount and frequency of watering depends on the type of plant, its rate of growth and weather conditions.
