I finally have a few shoots of something besides lettuce! lol But speaking of Lettuce, do I need to pull these if they haven't bolted? I am in Zone 6A and just cut these back on Sunday. The 2 Red Leaf look a little sad but my Butter Crunch & Red Romaine are still growing new leaves...

Container gardening may not require sprawling plots of land, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from a few helpful gadgets. From keeping your plants watered while you're away to maximizing your sunlight, these tools can make container gardening easier, more efficient, and a whole lot more fun. 𝟏. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 These smart containers feature a built-in reservoir that allows plants to draw up water as needed. They reduce the risk of over- or under-watering and are perfect for busy gardeners or hot summer days. Available in a range of sizes and styles, they're especially handy for herbs, veggies, and thirsty plants like tomatoes. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Great for balconies or patios that get a lot of sun where pots dry out quickly. 𝟐. 𝐌𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 No more guessing whether your soil is too dry or too wet. A moisture meter measures soil moisture at the root level so you know exactly when it's time to water. Some models even include pH and light level readings. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Especially helpful for new gardeners still learning the watering needs of different plants. 𝟑. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 These allow you to move heavy containers around easily—whether you’re chasing the sun or avoiding a summer storm. They're also helpful when rearranging your space or bringing plants indoors during cold weather. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Look for locking wheels to keep your pots in place once moved. 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 Perfect for indoor growers or cloudy climates, grow lights provide the full spectrum of light your plants need to thrive. They’re great for starting seeds, growing herbs indoors, or giving light-loving plants a boost. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Opt for adjustable arms or stands so you can move lights closer or further from plants as needed. 𝟓. 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 These easy-to-install kits allow for slow, even watering directly to the root zones. Many work with timers, giving you hands-off convenience and better water efficiency. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Ideal for gardeners with multiple containers or raised bed setups.

Nothing beats the taste of a fresh summer salad straight from your own garden—especially when it’s grown in containers just steps from your kitchen. Even if you have limited space, you can grow a variety of crisp, colorful, and flavorful ingredients perfect for tossing together into a refreshing summer dish. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬vers * Space-efficient: Great for patios, balconies, and even sunny windowsills. * : Harvest ingredients as needed—no trip to the store required. * Customizable: Grow exactly what you love to eat. 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭-𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟏. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 * Lettuce: Try loose-leaf types like ‘Buttercrunch’ or ‘Red Salad Bowl’. * Spinach: Thrives in cooler temperatures or partial shade. * Arugula: Quick-growing and adds a peppery bite. * Grow in shallow pots (6–8 inches deep) with rich, well-draining soil. 𝟐. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬 * Compact varieties like ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Balcony’ are perfect for containers. * Use cages or stakes and give them full sun. * Choose at least a 2-gallon pot with good drainage. 𝟑. 𝐂𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 * for bush or patio varieties like ‘Spacemaster’ or ‘Bush Pickle’. * Trellis vines to save space. * Choose larger containers (12–18 inches deep). 𝟒. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫 * Basil: Fresh and fragrant—pairs perfectly with tomatoes. * Chives: Mild onion flavor and very easy to grow. * Dill or Cilantro: Adds zest and fragrance to your mix. * Grow herbs in smaller individual pots or group them by light/watering needs. 5. Ed𝟓. 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 * Nasturtiums and pansies are beautiful and tasty additions to salads. * Grow in hanging baskets or window boxes with good drainage. 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 * Sunlight: Most salad ingredients need 4–6 hours of sun per day. * Water consistently: Keep soil moist but not soggy—greens are especially sensitive. * Harvest often: Snip leaves and herbs regularly to encourage new growth. * Succession plant: Sow new greens every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐲