Easy Container Gardens
Want to grow one with no fuss? All you need is a few pots and a place in the sun.
A Potted Salad Garden
What to plant: Maximize your growing space by planting varieties that are bred to be compact. Look for words like bush, baby, dwarf, tiny, midget, and patio in the plant names and descriptions. Throw in nasturtiums for color. The edible, peppery flowers and leaves are great in salads.
Which pots to use: You’ll need relatively large containers for vegetables like tomatoes, which require at least five gallons of soil to develop
a root system large enough to support a productive plant. Galvanized metal tubs and buckets make terrific planters―just drill
holes in the bottom for drainage.
How to maintain: Stake and tie tall growers right away, and adjust the stakes as the plants gain height. Never let the soil dry out more than an inch below the surface, make sure the container gets six hours of sun a day, and harvest regularly so the plants don’t go to seed.
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