Container Gardening

Grow plants in containers such as pots, tubs, window boxes, or grow bags placed wherever sunlight is adequate -- patios, balconies, driveways, or windowsills. Choose container sizes matched to the mature plant size and fill them with quality potting mix rather than garden soil, which compacts too easily. Many vegetables come in compact or bush-type varieties bred specifically for container growing.

Why It Works

Containers decouple your garden from ground space entirely. You can rearrange them to follow sunlight, move them indoors during frost, and fit them into irregular spaces that traditional beds cannot use.

Tips

• Water more frequently than in-ground plants, since containers dry out faster
• Use slow-release fertilizer or liquid feed every two weeks, as nutrients leach quickly
• Ensure every container has drainage holes to prevent root rot
• Group containers together to create a microclimate that retains humidity