Why Container Gardening?

1. Saves Water
When you water an entire garden, you need a lot of water. Whether you are trying to preserve water
to lead a greener lifestyle, or if you are working with limited water supplies, container gardening is a
good option.
2. Produces Healthy Plants
If you grow a container garden, you’ll see creating the perfect growing environment becomes much
easier for a container than for a larger garden.
In turn, this produces healthier plants. This is great for you because it makes gardening much easier.
3. Good Family Bonding

Because container gardening simplifies the gardening process, it shouldn’t be a surprise

that kids love it.

With this in mind, container gardening could be a great way to bond as a family. The kids
will enjoy their growing success and healthy veggies while you get to share knowledge
and enjoy quality time.

4. Fewer Pest Issues

You can move container gardens around easily. This makes life difficult for pests and disease which
equates to safety for your garden.
Therefore, you could enjoy gardening more instead of spending a large amount of time battling things
who want to kill your garden.

5. Sunlight isn’t a Problem

If you have lots of shady areas in your yard which makes planting a traditional garden difficult, you’ll
enjoy container gardening.
Container gardening gives you the freedom to move your garden around as needed to meet the sun.
If you thought gardening was out of the question in the past because of lack of sunlight, container
gardening just gave you a new option.

6. Perfect Growing Conditions

As I’ve already mentioned, it’s easier to provide perfect growing conditions for a container.
You can add perfect soil to your pots and move them to the perfect locations to meet their
needs.
Also, because they’re in pots, you make it difficult for pests and diseases to overtake them
as well. This equates to perfect growing conditions.
7. Convenience
Finally, container gardening is convenient. It’s convenient to care for your plants and
convenient to harvest from them too.

If you live in an apartment and have no room to garden, for example, container gardening
could be your only way to grow plants. If you live in a location where your dirt is terrible,
container gardening could be what you need to enjoy fresh vegetables.
For everyone else, container gardening is still a great alternative to grow their garden.
But there are things you need to understand when deciding to container garden. Here is
what you need to know to grow a container garden successfully:

What You Can Grow in a Container Garden

Container gardening is a compact way of producing an adequate harvest. Many people

don’t container garden because they don’t realize what options they even have for it. Here
is what you can grow in your container garden:
 Herbs
 Green beans
 Broccoli
 Carrots
 Cucumbers
 Eggplant
 Lettuce
 Onions
 Peppers
 Tomatoes
 Radishes
 Certain corn varieties
 Blueberries
 Dwarf fruit trees
If you are new to gardening altogether, growing something like herbs or lettuce would be a
good place to start.
However, if you’ve been growing vegetables or fruits for a while, you might want to
advance to growing your own peppers and tomatoes too.
How to Choose the Right Containers
One of the most vital steps in finding success when container gardening is to pick the
appropriate pot. The most common pot sizes range from 10 inches in diameter to 24
inches in diameter.
If you choose to go with a 24-inch pot, use it for larger vegetables like squash plants or
pepper plants.
However, if you choose to go with a smaller pot (such as a 14-inch diameter pot) you’d
want to use this size for plants such as herbs or a small head of cabbage.
You can use these two examples to figure out what vegetables would be appropriate in
which size pot.
But you’ll still need to consider which type of pot of you’ll buy once you’ve figured out the
appropriate size needed. Here are your pot varieties:
1. Terracotta
Terracotta pots are the most common pots used by most gardeners. Though they are
traditional, they have their downfalls.
These pots can be expensive to purchase, especially as you purchase the larger options.
They can also be heavy to maneuver and are breakable as well.
2. Ceramic
There are some pots made of glazed ceramic. These pots are usually less expensive than
terracotta but still carry a decently sized price tag with them.
Glazed ceramic is durable and comes in cool colors. Yet, they can be heavy as well and
difficult to move around if you need to.
3. Plastic

Plastic is a great option if you are needing to start a container garden on a budget. They
are durable and inexpensive too.
Not to mention, they are also easy to move around if you need to move your garden
based on sunlight needs.
4. Wooden
Many people like wooden containers because of their classic appearance. They add a
gorgeous look to your container garden with little effort.
However, wooden containers can be hard to move when left sitting in the same location
for a longer period.
5. Concrete
If you are looking for a durable planter, you should consider concrete planters. They will
last for quite a while.
But because these planters are made from concrete they will need to be placed in a
permanent location. They will be extremely difficult to move once placed.
6. Metal
There are many gorgeous metal planters. They are a great way to add some beauty to
your container garden.
However, the metal will conduct heat. Therefore, metal planters need to be lined with
plastic or they’ll cook the roots of your plants.
7. Window Boxes

Finally, window boxes are a great option for container garden planters. You can attach
them to your windows or simply stack them.
Either way, they can give a gorgeous look to your home while also being functional.
Planting a Container Garden
Just because you know the steps to planting a normal inground garden, doesn’t mean
you’re prepared to plant a container garden. Here is what you need to know:

1. Pick the Right Pot

I’ve listed above your different options for materials and size when choosing containers
for your garden. Consider what you’ll be planting in your garden and make sure you
choose the right size pot.
Also, be sure to place your container garden in the right location where it will get the
proper amount of sun for what you’re growing.

2. Cover the Holes

After choosing the correct pot and putting it in the proper location, make sure the pot
has drainage holes.
If it doesn’t, use a drill and add a few in the bottom. This will ensure the plants don’t get
water logged. When the pot has holes, be sure to cover them with wire mesh or a
coffee filter to keep dirt in but allow water to seep out.

3. Fill it Up
Choose a quality soil to fill your containers with. Make sure the dirt is rich and fluffy.
The fluffier the soil is the better aerated. This matter because this will impact how well
the soil drains.
Keep in mind, you will only want to fill the pot half way or three-quarters full. Be sure to
break up any crumbles in the dirt while filling the pot.

4. Plant
Once the dirt is in the container, it’s time to plant your vegetables. Place the plant on
top of the dirt. You don’t need to dig down into the dirt or press on the plant to put it
further in the pot.
Instead, just place the plant in the pot and move on to the next step.

5. Add More Soil

When the plant is in place, add more soil to cover the roots and finish filling up the pot.
Be careful not to compress the dirt.
This won’t help the plant, but instead compact the dirt which will impact how well the
soil drains.

6. Mulch It
Finally, add a layer of mulch around the plant when the pot is filled with dirt. This will
help the plant to be able to retain moisture.

Tips for Your Container Garden

Since you are almost ready to plant a container garden, I wanted to take the time to
give you a few bonus tips to help your container garden thrive:

1. Water Daily
Container gardens aren’t able to hold moisture as well as traditional gardens. For this
reason, you’ll need to check your plants daily and give them water if needed.
Also, you could choose to add a self-watering bulb or a drip irrigation system, if your
containers are close together. Don’t forget about self-watering pots as well.

2. Fertilize as Frequently as Needed

When you plant your container garden, the dirt should have some fertilizer already in it.
This should hold your plants over for a while.
However, pay close attention to the needs of your plant and add fertilizer as frequently
as needed to keep your plants healthy and well fed.

3. Keep the Soil Aerated

I mentioned this above in the planting section, but keep the soil fluffy and aerated
instead of pressed down.
The reason is aerated soil drains while compressed soil doesn’t. You want your soil to
drain well for optimum plant health.

4. Add a Trellis
Finally, if you grow a vegetable which likes to sprawl out or has heavy fruit, consider
adding a trellis when necessary. This will keep the plant contained and supported,
which adds to overall plant health and production.
Well, you now know the container gardening basics. You should be able to start a
container garden and have great success with it.

Container gardening or pot gardening is the practice of growing plants, including edible plants, exclusively
in containers instead of planting them in the ground.[1] A container in gardening is a small, enclosed and usually
portable object used for displaying live flowers or plants. It may take the form of a pot, box, tub, pot, basket, tin,
barrel or hanging basket.
What are the benefits of container gardening?
Advantages[edit]
Many types of plants are suitable for the container, including decorative flowers, herbs, cacti, vegetables, and
small trees.[3][6] There are many advantages to growing plants in containers, namely:

 Less risk of soil-borne disease

 Virtually eliminate weed problems
 Mobile plants gives more control over moisture, sunlight & temperature

Can you plant vegetables in a pot?

Vegetable Container Garden Materials

Type of Container

Not sure what type of container to grow your vegetables in? Don't fret—typically, you'll care more about this than your
plants will. Happily, most vegetables aren't fussy about what kind of vegetable container garden they grow in. The only
basic requirements are that the vegetable container garden is large enough to hold the plant and that it has drainage
holes so excess water can escape.

In general, plants in terra cotta (clay) need more attention to watering for a vegetable container garden than other types
of pots, because of the porous nature of the terra cotta. Also think about the color. Dark colors absorb heat—so they
may make the soil too warm for some vegetable crops in summer, especially in hot-summer areas. And avoid vegetable
container gardens made of treated wood, as it may contain chemical compounds that could be absorbed by your
vegetables.

Size of Container

When it comes to size, the bigger the pot is, the better, especially for beginners. The reason for this
is that large pots hold more soil—and thus, hold moisture longer so you don't have to water as
much. Look for vegetable container gardens that are at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
Large flowerpots, half barrels, plastic-lined bushel baskets, window boxes, planters, and large
containers (like 5-gallon buckets) work just fine.

Some vegetables need particularly large pots to grow in a vegetable container garden. Standard-
size tomatoes and vining crops, such as cucumbers, will do best for you in containers 20 inches or
more across. Peppers like pots at least 16 inches in diameter. In a pinch, most will still grow in a 5-
gallon or larger container.

Plants that grow tall or produce vines—like tomatoes and cucumbers—will be more productive if
grown up a support in a vegetable container garden. A wire cage, inserted into the container at
planting time, will do. Use larger, heavier containers for trellised plants to minimize the risk of
tipping.
What Type of Soil to Use in Containers

While your vegetables aren't fussy about the kind of pot they're in, they do care about the potting soil in your vegetable
container garden. As is the case with most other types of container gardens, your vegetable container garden will do
best in organic potting mixes made for containers. Bonus: organic soil will give your vegetables better flavor. Ask at your
nursery for a mix designed for use in larger outdoor containers, or save money by blending your own vegetable
container garden mix. Use equal parts of peat moss, potting soil, and vermiculite, perlite, or clean sand. Fill the
containers to within an inch or two of the rim.

To determine how much potting mix you'll need, figure:

3 pints of soil per 6-inch pot

3 1/2 gallons of mix per 12-inch pot

6 1/2 gallons of mix per 20-inch pot

How to Plant Vegetables in Containers

Start Seeds
Plant your vegetable container gardens at the same time you would plant in the garden. Depending
on what types of vegetable you want to grow, you can start seeds in your containers, grow
transplants from seeds started indoors, or purchase transplants from a garden center. Editor's
Tip: Start vegetable container garden crops such as beans, corn, carrots, radishes, and spinach,
from seeds sown directly in the container.
Fill Pot with Soil
When filling your pot with soil, stay 2-3 inches below the edge of the pot so that you have room to
fill with water. Regardless of whether you are planting seeds or transplants, thoroughly water the
container before you plant. Soak the potting mix completely, then allow it to sit for a few hours to
drain excess water.
Add Plants and Fertilize
Leave 3-4 inches of space in between each plant, and adjust according to the seed package
directions. Because not all seeds will germinate, plant more than you need, then thin the excess
later. Set transplants or starters at the same level they were growing in their pot (except for
tomatoes, which you can pinch off their lower leaves and plant them deeper in the container). Bury
plastic tags to help with identification of each plant.
Sprinkle organic fertilizer in soil, either before or after planting. Don't over-fertilize—plants will
grow too quickly, get soft, and the flavor won't be as intense. Starting about a month after planting,
feed your vegetables about once a week with a water-soluble fertilizer, following the package
directions. After planting, water gently but thoroughly to settle the seeds or transplants. Keep the
soil in your vegetable container garden from drying out as fast by mulching with straw, compost,
leaf mold, or a similar material. Water every few days to keep your plants healthy.

For some gardeners, growing vegetables in containers is a necessity. Urban gardening often
means growing on rooftops, balconies, alleyways, sidewalks or whatever little space the gardener
has available. Gardeners with physical disabilities find that growing vegetables in containers
makes them far easier to reach and tend. Difficult soil conditions (sand, stone, clay) makes
growing vegetables especially challenging. And even in urban areas, gardeners often find
container gardening is a way to avoid sharing their harvest with deer, rabbits and woodchucks.

If you are new to growing vegetables in containers, or have had limited success, here are a few
tips to help you succeed.

Even in urban areas, container gardening is a way to avoid sharing the

harvest with deer, rabbits, and woodchucks.
Self-watering planters reduce watering chores and keep soil consistently moist.

Selecting a Container
As a general rule, select as large a container as possible. Small containers dry out more quickly
and may need daily watering. Self-watering planters designed for urban balconies and
patios extend the time between waterings. You'll want to think about weight — once the pot is
filled with wet soil and plant material it's going to be very heavy. And you may want to think about
appearance. What look "goes" with your house and other pots? Even fabric pots are good for
growing vegetables. With colorful Grow Bags, you can add some whimsy to your vegetable
garden.

Most importantly, you'll need to think about the depth of the container you'll be growing in. Plants
with deep root systems will be stunted and unhealthy if they don't have adequate space. (See the
list below.)

Remember that the deeper the pot, the larger the reservoir of moist soil and the less often you'll
need to water. The exception is a self-watering planter. In this case, the depth of the planting area
can be kept to a minimum because moisture is provided by a water reservoir below the planting
area.

This 2' x 4' Elevated Cedar Planter Box and Space-Maker Pivoting Trellis Set is perfect for small-space
vegetable growing.

Where to Put Your Planter

Most vegetables require at least six hours of sunlight per day. Salad greens and herbs can
usually get by with less. Tomatoes, peppers, beans and other sun-lovers will appreciate as much
sun as they can get. If your yard is short on sun, consider putting your plants on caddies or
adding casters. That way they can be moved during the day or even later in the season as the
angle of the sun changes.
Wind is another factor to consider. Your plants will be happiest in a protected location where the
wind doesn't batter and dry out their foliage. Use the shelter of a building, or erect a temporary
windbreak made from portable fencing or fabric. Arrange your pots so larger plants shield smaller
plants. Clustering potted plants also helps to raise humidity levels, keeping plants more
productive.

If you are using a trellis or some other type of support in your container, wind is a special
concern. Make sure you have a heavy pot and/or that the trellis is secured to a railing or some
other fixed upright.

The Gardener's Best Tomato Grow Bag Set has an integrated cage.

How to Choose Soil or Potting Mix for Your Planters

Do not fill your containers with soil from your garden or bagged topsoil. You should fill the
containers with a "soilless" potting mix that will retain moisture and resist compaction. I usually
mix in a liberal amount of granular organic fertilizer and a shovelful or so of compost.

Watering Your Container Vegetable Garden

Vegetables require a consistent supply of water to perform their best. Inconsistent moisture
causes lots of problems, such as blossom drop, poor root development, leaf curling, insect
problems, and rot. The best way to ensure your plants always have a consistent supply of water
is to use a self-watering planter. Filling the reservoir every few days is all that's required. The
plants absorb moisture as they need it.

Fertilizing Your Vegetable Planters

Fertilizer is especially important when you're growing vegetables in containers. In fact, you just
won't succeed if you don't use some kind of fertilizer. I recommend mixing a granular organic
fertilizer into the soil when planting, then weekly feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer, such
as Plant Health Care.

There are several reasons why fertilizer is important. First is that the growing medium in the
container has few, if any, nutrients. Your plants depend on you to provide the nutrients they need.
Second is that containerized plants get watered a lot, and every time you water you wash some
nutrients from the soil.

The third reason fertilizers are necessary is that in a container garden, you are packing lots of
plants into a small space. One 2' x 2' self-watering planter might contain a tomato plant, two
pepper plants, a basil plant and some parsley. That's a lot of foliage and fruit to feed from a few
gallons of "soil".

The Best Vegetables for Containers

Potatoes, chard, lettuce, cherry and bush tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, summer squash,
Asian greens, pole beans. And don't forget herbs!
Here are the minimum soil depths for healthy growth. Keep in mind that you can get by with
less depth if you use a self-watering planter.

 4-5": chives, lettuce, radishes, other salad greens, basil, coriander

 6-7": bush beans, garlic, kohlrabi, onions, Asian greens, peas, mint, thyme
 8-9": pole beans, carrots, chard, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, leeks, peppers, spinach,
parsley, rosemary
 10-12": beets, broccoli, okra, potatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, dill, lemongrass

Plant Combinations and Companion Planting

This is the fun part. As part of our summer display gardens, we usually plant a few containers
with a broad assortment of vegetables and herbs. Some of them are "theme" pots (an Italian pot,
a spicy pot, a pickles pot), some are planted for maximum production (lettuce followed by beans,
followed by broccoli, followed by winter greens), and others are focused on a single crop
(tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes).

When combining several different types of plants in one pot, it's best to match plants that have a
similar need for water and fertilizer. For example, rosemary, which likes hot and relatively dry
conditions, would not be a good match with water-hungry cucumbers. To maximize space, you
might want to combine a trailing plant with an upright plant.

Some plants actually grow better when grown near a compatible companion. On the other hand,
some plants don't seem to grow as well when paired with certain plants. Sometimes the reasons
are simple (carrots, dill and fennel are all in the same plant family and will compete for the same
nutrients) but others are more mysterious. The list below offers good plant combinations — as
well as combinations to avoid.

Some plants actually grow better when grown near a compatible

companion.
Good Companion Plants:

 Beans, carrots, squash

 Eggplant, beans
 Tomatoes, basil, onions
 Lettuce, herbs
 Spinach, chard, onions

Combinations to Avoid:

 Beans with onions and garlic

 Carrots with dill or fennel
 Tomatoes or squash with potatoes
 Onions with beans and peas