How to Grow Vegetables in Containers & Planters

Vegetables can thrive in planters and containers.

Growing vegetables inside planters or containers is easy and rewarding for those without access to a ground garden, or for those who wish to accentuate their larger gardens. Container planting allows for greater retention of water and control over the fertilizing nutrients as it is a well-contained space. Almost any variety of vegetable can be planted in a container, including the popular container dwarf varieties. Container vegetables need the same things as ground plants--air, sun, water and attention.

Things You'll Need

• Planters
• Potting soil
• Water

Instructions

1. Select the vegetables. Virtually any vegetable, save full-size corn, can grow inside garden planters and containers. Depending on the size of the container, full-size vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, spinach, lettuce, onions, green beans, radishes, parsley and cucumbers can grow inside planters. However, for smaller containers, consider planting the dwarf varieties of these vegetables; more can fit in the containers and they will look fuller. Purchase either as seeds or as transplants.

2. Locate a container for planting. Vegetables can be grown in virtually any size or shape container. Wood, plastic or clay materials can be used, as well as any shape including barrels, squares, round pots, or long troughs. For larger vegetables, such as tomato or pepper, larger containers (at least 5 gallons) should be used.

3. Cut drainage holes in the container if they are not already present. Vegetables need moist, well-drained soil to thrive. If the barrel or container does not have drainage holes, drill or cut three to four ½-inch-diameter holes around the outer edge of the bottom of the pot.

4. Purchase potting soil or create your own. Potted vegetables grow best in soil mixed from a variety of materials including peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Nothing needs to be done to purchased soil. If mixing your own, combine 1 bushel vermiculite, 1 bushel peat moss, 10 tbsp. limestone, 5 tbsp. phosphate and 1 cup fertilizer of your choice. Make sure the mixture is moist when you combine it so it stays together.

5. Fill each container 2 inches from the top with potting soil and plant the transplants or germinated seeds. Situate the containers in a location that receives adequate sunlight, and water thoroughly on a daily basis. Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer once a week.

References

• My Great Home: Growing Your Own Vegetables
• Gardening Guides: Guide to Container Gardening