Remember, the bigger the seed the deeper it is planted. Small seeds like carrots, and most greens, should not be planted more than a 1/4 inch – 3/4 inch deep. If you are transplanting plants that were started earlier in the year, or were purchased from a nursery, they should be planted in moist soil just deep enough that the roots are covered. Use Table 1 as a reference for plant spacing.
Table 1. Suggested final spacing* of commonly planted vegetables in raised beds and containers
| Vegetable type | Typical spacing (inches) | Plants per square foot |
|---|
| RadishesLeaf lettuce (quick crop) | 2 × 2 | 36 |
| CarrotsOnions (green from seed)SpinachLeaf lettuceMustard | 3 × 3 | 16 |
| BeetsTurnipsGarlicOnions (from slips or bulbs)Peas (provide trellis or support) | 4 × 4 | 9 |
| Most herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Fennell**, Mint**, Parsley*, Oregano**, Thyme)Bok ChoyHead LettuceChardBeansGarlicEdible Soybean (Edamame)Corn (not recommended in small plantings) | 6 × 6 | 4 |
| BroccoliCauliflowerKaleCollardsCabbagePotatoesSweet PotatoesHorseradishSummer squashEggplant (dwarf types)Cucumber (trellised)OkraPeppers | 12 × 12 | 1 |
| TomatoesCucumbers (not trellised)EggplantPumpkinsRhubarb**Winter squashCantaloupeWatermelon | 18 × 18 to 18 × 24 | <1 (actually .33-.44 plants per square ft) |
All plants need sunlight, water and nutrients to grow. Most fruits and vegetables commonly grown in Kentucky grow best in full sun. Locating your grow bag(s) by a water source is helpful because your plants will need to be watered regularly.
in a grow bag because the bag drains and dries out more quickly than plants in the ground. Observe how moist your plant's roots are by periodically touching the grow media. If it feels dry one inch below the surface, it is probably too dry for the plant's roots!
Nutrient management does not have to be complicated, but it is important to remember that nutrients are removed from the grow media every time plants are harvested or disposed of. Fertilizer can be applied around the base of the plants once they begin to flower. A good rule of thumb is to apply no more than 1 tablespoon of nitrogen fertilizer (such as a 15-0-0) or a 1/4 oz of 10-10-10 fertilizer per grow bag. Applying too much fertilizer can be wasteful and even harmful to your plants and the environment. See ID-128 (Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky) or one of the suggested references at the end of this publication for additional information on fertilization.
Harvest your fruits, vegetables or herbs when they are mature and/or when you are ready to eat them!
When you are planning your grow bag garden, it can be helpful to reference the “days to maturity” stated on the seed label. However, some vegetables, like sweet peppers or tomatoes, may be harvested green to get different flavors.
KSU Fact Sheets:
UK Extension Publications:
1. Your grow bag garden should be watered regularly. It is ideal to water plants at their base, rather than from above, because plants uptake water through their roots and excessive moisture on leaf surfaces can lead to disease problems. It is difficult to overwater plants in a grow bag because the bag drains and dries out more quickly than plants in the ground. Observe how moist your plant's roots are by periodically touching the grow media. If it feels dry one inch below the surface, it is probably too dry for the plant's roots!