Planter Containers for the Backyard Greenhouse: Grow Lettuce, Radishes and More

In an earlier article, I gave you a working description of how to construct a small greenhouse in the back yard. Now, I want to take a couple of minutes and discuss planting containers for your newly constructed greenhouse. Like anything else, you have the choice of going very expensive or being a bit more frugal. There are main varieties of planters available on the commercial market, and most of them will do an adequate job of growing your plants. However, if you want to plant 20 to 30 tomato plants, a dozen pepper plants, etc., the cost of containers can easily surpass what you paid to construct your greenhouse. I want to offer a few options for you to consider.

The items I will be offering for your consideration are all things that I have used in my greenhouses in the past. Like anything else I have had a varying degree of success with my experiments. Some years a planter works great and the next year the same produce will not grow in it. So I offer no guarantees, but all have worked for my purposes at one time.

Six quart ice cream containers can be used as planters for leaf lettuce, like Black Seeded Simpson, radishes, midget carrots, to name just a few. Smaller plastic ice containers can be used as window planters for lettuce or herbs! With all containers it is important to drill several small holes in the lower sides or bottom to allow access water to drain. Also you must watch closely the moisture in the smaller planters to assure that they do not dry out. Remember a greenhouse will get twenty to thirty degrees hotter than the outside temperature. If you have planted roses or other larger potted plants I hope you retained those containers. These will work well for large plants, like peppers and tomatoes.