The Downsized Veggie Garden. Kate Copsey

keep them clean for storage, particularly those with moving parts like clippers. Diseases are easily spread from one area of the garden to another, so always wipe the tools with rubbing alcohol when dealing with diseased plants.

       Container Basics

      Containers can add beauty and flexibility to your garden space. They can be decorative focal points to accent your home or an area of the garden, or they can be purely utilitarian where the primary consideration is for a vessel to grow vegetables. Most containers fall somewhere in the middle, and cost can certainly be a major element in deciding which type to use. Remember that the plants really don’t care what the container is so long as it drains well! (For a review of the many types of containers available today, their advantages and drawbacks, see page 161.)

       A Little History