Container Gardening: The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

What do you put in the bottom of a vegetable garden container? ›

After checking your drainage holes (you may need to drill these out in plastic pots or add more to what's already there) fill the bottom half (of large pots) with some kind of filler. Add your potting soil, plant the seedlings or seeds, and water thoroughly. Mulch is often helpful for retaining moisture.

Square Pots

This functional trait also suits growing outdoor plants. Their straight edges create an excellent container garden as the pots can sit perfectly together, making watering them an easy task. Not only that, but their evenly proportioned sides can add to their stability.

Container gardens are no-fuss compared to in-ground gardens: No weeds, fewer pests to fend off, less disease from soil, easier to fertilize and water in a small space and scale, and they take less time and effort.

An organic alternative is equal parts of vermiculite, peat moss, and high quality compost; with 0.6 oz blood meal, 0.4 oz rock phosphate, and 0.4 oz greensand added to each gallon of potting mix. Soilless mixes can be very dry and difficult to wet.

The biggest drawback to growing plants in containers is that they need more maintenance. You have to keep your eye on them, especially in hot weather when they may need watering twice a day.

Keep the size and quantity of plants in proportion to the pot. Rule of thumb – The height of the tallest plant shouldn't exceed one to two times the height of a tall container or the width of a low bowl. When the container has a pedestal, it's usually not necessary to include it in the overall container measurement.

The actual number refers to the approximate size of the container and how much soil it holds. For example, a number-one (#1) container holds approximately one gallon of soil.

Plastic Bottles. If you're planting in large containers, you can use a layer of plastic bottles at the bottom to help fill them up. The bottles should be empty, but not crushed, and have the caps on them. You can use water bottles or half-gallon jugs.

Containers can be grouped into vignettes the same way plants can. A triangular arrangement of pots will produce quick, pleasing results. In design terms, a triangle consists of a dominant central element flanked by components of smaller stature. This form is a staple of all art forms for good reason: It always works.

If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. In the spring and fall and in cooler climates, it might be sufficient to water container plants every two to three days. In the summer and in warm climates, container plants usually require daily watering, unless they are succulents or other drought-tolerant xeriscape plants.

How deep should soil be for container gardening? ›

Following are container soil depth recommendations for popular vegetables: 6" to 9" for shallow rooted vegetables: chives, lettuces, green onions, radishes, spinach. 12" to 18" for moderate depth vegetables: eggplant, peppers, beets, broccoli, carrots (short varieties), cauliflower, celery, chard, kale, peas.

Any amount of sun greater than six hours is considered full sun. What is Part Sun? Part sun is defined as four to six hours of direct sun per day. Not all those hours need to be accrued consecutively—it could mean a few hours of morning sun plus a few more in the afternoon.

When planting tomatoes in pots, keep the soil at least one inch below the pot rim, so you can add a layer of mulch to help keep soil moist. You can use traditional mulch materials, like straw, shredded bark, chopped leaves, or newspaper (minus the glossy circulars).

Pond liners work well for lining the bottom of a planter. Simply push the liner into the base of the planter and cut drainage holes in the bottom using household or gardening scissors. Fill your planter with compost and then trim away any excess liner from the top.