Tip
First time growing vegetables in a container garden?
Beets, carrots, lettuce, and green onions can be planted in three-gallon containers.
Most herbs and radishes grow well in containers of one gallon or less.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes need a deeper container than shallow-rooted leafy greens.
Or you canmake a wooden planter box.
Just remember that after a few seasons, wooden containers may begin to rot.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Plastic Self-Watering Containers
Growing vegetables in self-watering containers works well.
They are large, easy to use, and incredibly durable plastic.
They make watering plants a cinch because all you have to do is keep the water reservoir full.
The Spruce / K. Dave
ensure to store them inside during the winter.
As long as its big enough and has good drainage, you’re able to use anything.
Create Optimal Drainage
Drainage is key tokeeping plants from drowningin a container.
The Spruce / K. Dave
If your container sits on a hard surface, the hole might plug up.
Elevate your container with pot feet or a pot cart to help your plants drain with ease.
Use the Best Potting Soil
High-quality potting soilis important for vegetables.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
But some gardeners might overestimate how much sun an area gets.
For your veggies to thrive, you’ll need an accurate assessment.
it’s possible for you to also use a sun calculator to get an accurate assessment.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Many vegetables dont like cold soil.
For many plants, the soil needs to be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
you could use a thermometer to find out the temperature of your soil.
The Spruce / Colleen & Shannon Graham
The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not soaking wet.
To figure out whether your plants need water, stick your finger down into the soil about an inch.
This is often the most high-maintenance and critical aspect of vegetable container gardening.
Many gardeners mix organic, granular fertilizer into the containers before planting.
Choose Seeds or Seedlings
you might start your veggiesfrom seedor buy seedlings.
There are some significant advantages and disadvantages to each.
Planting seeds is much less expensive thanbuying seedlingsand you’re able to organically grow hard-to-find varieties.
However,starting seedsisn’t for everyone.
They need 12 to 16 hours of light per day and good air circulation to grow strong.
Plus, you absolutely cannot let theseeds dry out, or they’re toast.
Conversely, if you give them too much water, theyll fail to thrive.
The largest disadvantages are their need for frequent watering and fertilization and the weight of the containers.
Look for varieties that are labeled as bush, patio, dwarf, or compact.
Proper drainage of a container is essential for a healthy plant.
Drowning and Edema.University of Illinois Extension.
Soil Borne Diseases.UC Davis Global Soil Health Portal.
Plants Grown in Containers.North Carolina State University Extension.
Starting Plants From Seed.University of New Hampshire.
