Corn Container Maze!

YOU CAN GROW CORN IN A CONTAINER!

How crazy is that?

And if your balcony or patio is large enough, and if you have several long, rectangular containers placed in a well thought out design, then you could create your own corn maze!

That would be so awesome!  (I'm talking to you, Jen!)


This is the final installment of our "Garden of Jen" container gardening series.  For those of you who don't know, Jen is a nice midwestern girl now living in Oregon.  I can only assume that her summers are spent despondently perusing independent book stores, drinking locally brewed organic beer, and wandering the beach in despair.  Not an acre of sweet corn in sight.  Tragic! 

I'll save you, Jen!  Save you with some delightful Blue Jade Sweet Corn!

These miniature plants (up to three feet) bear 3-6 ears with sweet steal-blue kernels.

If you're not so sure about the blue, you might also try Tom Thumb Popcorn, which is yellow, ornamental, and good for coastal and short season areas.  Dwarf 3 1/2 foot plants produce one to two ears that measure about 4" long.

Here's my note of caution regarding corn of any size or type:  Animals love this stuff.  Birds, squirrels, mice, you name it.  I've really been wanting to grow popcorn in my garden, but don't have room to grow enough for ALL of us.  The pests will eat it before you get a chance, so grow a few stalks for fun or dozens of stalks for food, but don't think you'll be able to grow just a few stalks and have any kind of harvest. 

Not that I'm trying to discourage you!  I suppose a balcony cat or realistic scarecrow could make all the difference! 

I hope I've managed to make a convincing argument for container vegetable gardening!  There is so much that you can grow in, really, any space at all.  A corn maze would be magical, of course, but a potted herb on the window ledge is a perfectly respectable start!

Check back for details on when and how to start your seedlings indoors...

Container Vegetables: Carrot, Cucumber, and Eggplant

Well, you probably think I'm crazy.  Carrots, cucumbers, and eggplant?  In a container?  No way!

Yes way!  This is the Paris Market Carrot.  Isn't it lovely?  It's a 19th Century French heirloom, only one to two inches in diameter, very sweet, early harvest, does well in shallow soil and containers!  Amazing!  Their shape and size are just ideal.  Once again I'd suggest a long, window-box style planter to allow them plenty of room and for the largest crop possible, but as always, use whatever you have on hand.  Carrot seeds are teeny tiny.  Sprinkle them on top of the soil and then cover with a very thin layer of soil.  Be sure to keep them moist.

 

Check out these little cuties!  They are Miniature White Cucumbers, and they are adorable!  Now for these you'll need a round pot large enough to hold a tomato cage - these guys need something to climb on.  (Putting the pot next to a trellis or railing would work, too.)  Just plant a few seeds after danger of frost has passed - Some people plant them in a little hill, but you don't have to.  Unlike most cucumber vines, which will grow until they've taken over the garden, these vines should only grow to about three feet in length.  Pick the little cukes when they're about three inches long, they should be mild and sweet with very thin skin.  As with all cucumbers, wear your garden gloves while picking - they're spikey!

This is a Round Mauve Eggplant.  Originally from China, these are thin-skinned and round, and can be harvested when they're about the size of a tennis ball.  The plants are compact and perfect for your container garden!  These are a little more difficult, as you'll have to start the seeds inside about 6-8 weeks before last frost.  (Or you could buy a regular eggplant seedling from your local nursery.)  Just one plant per medium sized pot, please.  I have recently developed quite a taste for eggplant:  grilled, sauteed, or breaded and deep fried of course.  Even if it's not your favorite, you can't deny that it would be impressive to have these purple beauties growing on your balcony!