Incorporating Grow Bags into your Growing Space for Tomatoes, Summer Herbs, and Potatoes

Once living in and now residing near downtown, we've had to be smart about how to plant our urban garden of homegrown fruits and vegetables. That is why, years ago, I started using Grow Bags anywhere with outdoor sun and 1-3 feet of open space.

I've tested quite a few brands and have been most impressed with the line developed by Epic Gardening. The sturdy structure and unlined (you can also get them lined) woven material bags come in various sizes and help my plants grow healthy, not root-bound, aerated roots.

This Spring, we use Grow Bags to take advantage of unused space within our garden to create more accessibility to freshly grown food.

Here are three simple ways to incorporate Grow Bags and promote garden-to-table meals.

Create a mini Tomato and Companion Garden. Use the supplies checklist below and watch this quick video to see the mini garden come together.

1. 1 - 15 Gallon Grow Bag from Epic Gardening
2. Organic Raised Bed or Potting Soil (2 cubic yards should do the trick)
3. Compost or Worm Castings to mix into the soil.
4. 1 - Determinate or Dwarf Indeterminate Variety of Tomato Seedling
5. 2 to 4 - Summer Herb Seedlings (Oregano, Basil, and Thyme will work, but not Rosemary because it will deplete your tomato plant of nutrients)
6. 2 to 4 - Marigold Flower Seedlings

Use 5 Gallon Grow Bags to create a "Summer Herb Garden" only steps away from the kitchen. The easier these herbs are to grow and get to, the more likely you'll use them! If you want some great Summer Herb Recipes, you can find them here. You'll need these supplies for each herb.

1. 1 - 5 Gallon Grow Bag from Epic Gardening
2. Organic Raised Bed or Potting Soil (enough to fill the bag to 1' from the rim.
3. Compost or Worm Castings to mix into the soil.
4. Your favorite Summer Herb, such as Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Sage, or Oregano

Grow Potatoes! Probably the most rewarding crop to grow with children. Collect some organic, non-GMO potatoes and allow them to sprout small eyes and stems. Bury the spud 4-5 inches deep and practice patience as the stem grows and breaks the soil's surface. Let that plant continue to grow, and add soil to the rim of the bag to promote more underground growth. After months, when the leaves turn limp and brown, dump the grow bag out and search for tater treasure within the roots and soil. Getting dirty is half the fun! The supplies you'll need are below.

1. 1 - 5 Gallon Grow Bag from Epic Gardening
2. Organic Raised Bed or Potting Soil (enough to fill the bag to 1' from the rim
3. Compost or Worm Castings to mix into the soil
4. 1 to 2 - "Chitted" or Sprouted Potatoes (Organic and non-GMO)

So, whether you're a novice or an experienced gardener, grow bags allow you to grow healthy plants and food in sunny spaces that could use a little life!

Happy Grow Bag Growing!