Question
I live in Montana ,but the place I currently live at has a very limited space in which to grow things, I want my children to learn what plants grow well and which ones won't. I have only had either wild grown or store bought but have never grown any of my own. and a lot of my local green houses in the area look at me funny when I ask them if they have the "root balls ""I have tried other gardens in a bucket with different types of veggie plants and with the quality of soil around here its hard to get good veggies to grow with out a green house or plastic sheet cover . the quick growers that do grow around here are , peas, carrots, potatoes , and green onions . My squash, cucumbers, turnips , and brock, cabbage, rutabagas, and cauliflower ,should grow here but won't what is wrong , I have tried them from seeds , and plants. tomatoes will only grow inside on my porch where its warm year round . other wise I'm stuck . can you help.

Answer
Marion,

I would not recommend growing asparagus in a bucket, they need room for the roots to grow deeply.  You can grow just a few plants in your garden as they do not take up a huge amount of space and will produce for many years if taken care of.

Do you fertilize your soil where you grow your veggies?  Soil needs to be amended and fertilized every year as the plants use us most of the nutrients in the soil every year.  Use a balanced organic fertilizer which includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium or add each separately.  .
I would also check to see what the ph is in your soil.  The veggies you listed like to have a ph of 6.2 to 6.9.

I hope I was able to help out and if you have any further questions please let me know.

Happy gardening,
Catherine Abbott
www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com