Learn How to Plant a Vegetable Container Garden
Containers
I like to use a thick plastic container. You can use plastic, wood, or metal. Look around your home for containers you are not using.
Use buckets, old storage containers, planters, old plastic swimming pools, crates, just about anything you can drill holes in the bottom for drainage.
Make sure your container is large enough for the plant to grow. Larger containers hold more soil, which means your plants will be stronger and more resilient.
Dark colored planters aren’t usually recommended for Container Gardens because they attract heat which can dry out your plants.
Note- If you notice all my containers are dark, I haven’t had issues with using them yet.
Drainage
Drill holes in the bottom of the containers for drainage. I like to drill 6-8 holes.
Use a razor knife to scrape the plastic from around the holes on the bottom of the container to make the container sit flat.
Potting mix
I like to use a good Potting Mix with Fertilizer already mixed into it. My choice of potting soil is Sta-Green Moisture Max Potting Mix Plus Fertilizer.
The potting soil I use is great for containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. You can purchase it at Lowe’s.
You could use Organic Potting Soil if you want. After my plants have been planted for two weeks I, fertilize them with Miracle Grow.
Additionally, you can also mix chicken poop into your soil before planting your plants.
I cannot stand waiting for seeds to sprout. I am a very impatient gardener. I usually buy young plants from Lowe’s then plant them in containers .
You could save money by sprouting your own seeds if you don’t mind waiting for them to sprout.
Planting
Always read and follow directions on the plant packaging or the seed packet before you plant your plants.
I like to put the label that comes with the plant in the pot so I can refer to it when needed.
If you’re using seeds make copies of the front and back of the empty package, laminate it, glue it to a Popsicle stick, and place it with your plant.
This way you will know the names and how to take care of each your plants.
Watering
When you first plant your plants it’s important to give them plenty of water to help them establish roots in the soil.
Water your plants until the water runs out of the bottom of the container. This means the water has drained all the way through your soil.
After your plants become established check your plants regularly to see if they need to be watered.
Container plants lose more moisture than plants planted in the ground. I check my plants every 2-3 days to see if they need to be watered .
Did you know?
Did you know container gardens grow faster than gardens planted in the ground?
Container gardens grow faster because they hold more heat .
Which also means they need to be watered more frequently than gardens planted in the ground.
This is my first year planting Zucchini plants. I used a 10 gallon container but , I read you should plant Zucchini plants in 25 gallon container or bigger.
My plants seem to be doing well and producing.
Hearty PlantS
Winter Vegetables
Every year when the weather gets cooler we plant cabbage, We love using cabbage in many of our recipes like soups, cabbage rolls, and smothered cabbage.
For our cabbage we used fake Whiskey Barrels which are plastic. We just drilled a few drainage holes in the bottom of the barrels.
We have also grown broccoli in our containers, too.
Additionally, watering the plants before a freeze helps protect the plants. The water acts as an insulator. Make sure to take precaution and not wet the foliage.
You check out the Salt Scrub I made using Rosemary from my garden.
Updated 11/12/2019
Randy Seagraves says
What a great page & resource!
Have you had success with greens or other cool season crops in your cylinders? We’d love to see some of those shots if you have them!
Kim Seghers says
Hi Randy! Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words. We actually have cabbage growing in our containers right now. Also, some basil and parsley. I just updated the post to show our winter containers. Enjoy your week, Kim
James J. Decker says
I love to grow vegetables in my home garden but didn’t know where to start. Thank for your tips. Very simple and easy to get started, I will follow your advices in my next year’s gardening projects!
Kim Seghers says
Hi, James! I’m glad you found my tips. Container gardening is the only way we plant our vegetables. I hope you will be able to grow lots vegetables when it’s time to grow them again. Take care, Kim
KimSeghers says
Hi! I bet you could get vegetables to grow. Start off with tomato plants, bell pepper plants , and a few herbs until you get comfortable growing a garden. My favorite vegetables to grow are tomatoes, eggplants, any type of peppers , and rosemary! Have a lovely week, Kim
KimSeghers says
Hi! Did your daughter plant a vegetable container garden? I would love to know how it is doing if she did. I am constantly learning everyday new things about my plants and what works for them or not. Have a lovely week, Kim
Alicia Snow says
We have been talking about starting a garden so this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
KimSeghers says
Hi Alicia! Your welcome. I think you would enjoy having a container garden. I love my container garden. Its nice having fresh vegetables from your own yard! Good luck , and if you have questions message me on facebook. Kim
Erin says
This is awesome! As city dwellers we are huge container gardeners and this is such great information. I'll have to share it with my city friends!
KimSeghers says
Thank you Erin! We love our container garden. Each year we add a different vegetable to plant. This year we decided to try growing eggplants as well as the usual plants we grow each Spring/Summer! Have a great week, Kim
Christy E says
Wow!!! I would love to have a beautiful container garden! Thanks for the inspiration.
KimSeghers says
Hi Christy! You should try planting a container garden. Vegetables taste so much better fresh from the garden. I would love to know if you start one. Kim
KarylHenry says
It's like we're kindred spirits!! My dad has a super green thumb, and plants everything from seeds. Me, I'm WAY too impatient so I buy the young plants as well. I'm trying zucchini for the first time this spring, so we'll see what happens
KimSeghers says
Hi Karyl! My dad grows everything from seeds, too. He even grew pumpkins one year. Let me know how your zucchini do. Our eggplants are doing great but our zucchini plants not well. I think out containers need to be bigger. Good luck with your plants! Kim
yanique says
This is a great idea KIm! I don't have a green thumb whatsoever and I think I might be able to do this. It never even crossed mind to make a container garden. Thanks for sharing your tips 🙂 Pinned
KimSeghers says
Your welcome Yanique! Growing a container garden is easy and you can make it where ever you want. You should trying a growing a container garden. Kim
KimSeghers says
Thank you so much, Jane! I can't wait for my vegetables to be ready to pick. Yes, I read that the last year when I planted my garden that the container gardens grow faster . I think because of the heat that the containers hold. Thank you for stopping over. Have a lovely Wednesday! Kim
KimSeghers says
Thank you Danica! I love fresh vegetables, and container Gardens are fun to plant. You can use cute planters are whatever you have around the home. Have a great night, Kim
Linda Bradshaw says
I am starting my garden in containers this week. Thank you for your info.
KimSeghers says
Your welcome Linda! I would love to see pictures of your container garden. Have a great night, Kim