Why am I posting a video of an annual valley tradition of frying an egg on the road? Because the thermometer shows the temperature of 162.5. [Picture is a still from the video.]
Regularly and constantly I try to help folks understand just how HOT pots and containers can get in our summer afternoon heat. This applies to the top 3 inches of exposed soil.
I was wondering when the annual fried egg picture / video would show up this year and went searching and found one from last year and "Bingo" I thought - this is perfect for showing just how REALLY HOT surfaces are in our summer afternoons.
WHY Small pots kill plants.
This is THE TEMPERATURE range (actually up to 180) for any exposed surface in the summer afternoon here. Sidewalks, asphalt, sides of containers, block walls etc.
https://youtu.be/0MPNgCo9auk
I hope this helps you understand why your cute pot or very small and shallow container garden is going to cook your food plants before you get them harvested.
You put a plant in a 1 gallon black pot in the middle of your garden, and you quickly learn just how making adobe bricks works.
When choosing a pot make sure it is at least 20" across. When building raised beds, make sure the depth is at least 18 inches and a minimum of 2 feet wide x 2 feet across.
And ALWAYS plant at least 6 inches in from the sides to allow the soil to insulate the roots.
Use mulch even in containers, but keep 2 inches away from the base of the plants to keep snails, slugs and sow bugs from the tender plants.
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-- Catherine, The Herb Lady
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