Containers Make Growing Edibles a Cinch

If life hands you a lack of land, grow lemons — with a few basics, you can proudly reap the fruits, veggies and herbs of your labor

Kim Gamel July 20, 2012

Houzz Contributor

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With all the emphasis on buying locally sourced food these days, it’s easy to get excited about buying fresh produce close to home. And what’s more local than your own garden? One of the most convenient, practical and attractive ways of going local is planting herbs and veggies in containers. Done right, they can become a focal element in your landscape design.

The key to success in growing crops in containers is choosing the right plants, the right pots and the right location, and providing the right care. Here, six essentials for edible gardens and how to use them.

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1. A container. It’s been said that when choosing a container, you are limited only by your imagination and a drainage hole. Proper drainage is essential, as edibles do not like wet roots.

Here, chives, oregano and other herbs grow in a custom steel planter with two layers of planting area and plenty of drainage into a gravel courtyard.

Window boxes are a lovely and effective means of growing small edible crops like herbs and greens, especially in urban settings with little or no yard. Pictured here are pansies, which have edible flowers.

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Size matters when it comes to containers for edibles. Most vegetables have rather large root systems that require pots to be deep and wide. Plus, larger containers won’t dry out as quickly, making it easier on you and less stressful for your plants. Find pots at least 12 inches wide and deep; 16- to 20-inch pots are even better.

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2. Plants or seeds. Generally, it’s easiest for beginner gardeners to buy plants rather than start from seed. The exception is root vegetables, which do not like to be transplanted. So if carrots and beets are your favorites, sow these directly in your pot following the seed packet directions.

With the popularity of container gardening increasing, many growers and seed companies are offering varieties of vegetables specifically for growing in containers. These varieties are practical for smaller pots, but you might be able to use regular-size varieties if you have a container that's large enough. For example, a single standard-size tomato plant would be happy in a container at least 20 inches deep and wide.

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3. Soil. One of the biggest advantages to growing edibles in containers is that you can use a high-quality potting medium to help ensure success. Find a potting soil that is specifically formulated for containers. Wet the soil well and allow it to drain before adding your plants or seeds. This ensures that the soil won't wick moisture away from the plants you're adding.

4. Fertilizer. At the time of planting, add a granular, slow-release fertilizer that supplies the proper nutrients over three to six months. Because edibles are heavy feeders, you can also supplement with a liquid organic fertilizer twice each month.

Kim Gamel

5. Water. One of the most critical duties in container gardening is watering. The key here is moist yet well-drained soil. Drip irrigation is the best method for achieving this. If you're watering by hand, you will need to water once every couple of days when the weather is moderate, and at least once daily when temperatures are at their peak.

If you water only once per day, choose the morning so that there is less chance for fungus to develop. For the same reason, it’s also best to water the base of the plant rather than the leaves.

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6. Sun. Most edibles will perform best in full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily, even if you need to move your pot to achieve it. Putting your pots on wheels makes this easy.

Kim Gamel

Tend to your containers daily if possible. Pick herb leaves throughout the growing season, being sure to snip the tops to keep them from going to seed (setting flowers). Harvest vegetables as soon as they have reached the size you want. Picking them early and often will help to keep the plants productive.

Oh, and one more thing: patience. With a little time and effort, you will be rewarded with the fruits of your labor. There’s hardly a more satisfying feeling than picking a ripe vegetable from a plant you’ve nurtured.

Best of luck, and let me know in the Comments section how your edibles are growing!