Container Gardening Supply List to Get Started

Gardening is a great way to fill your kitchen with delicious organic food. Container gardening is the easy way to grow things. But what do you need to get started? To help, this container gardening supply list will help you determine what you need to get started.

Gardening 101 that helps you save money by only buying the tools you need so you can get to growing.

Containers are Great for Gardening

Container gardening is an amazing way to grow your own food, no matter how little space, time, or mobility you have. Whether it’s a balcony, patio, or an open area you found in your flower beds, containers make it possible to garden almost anywhere.

For those with sore knees or achy backs, containers are a game-changer. Elevated pots and planters cut down on the bending, making gardening more enjoyable and less painful.

Another perk of container growing is that you can grow almost anything, from cherry tomatoes to potatoes and pumpkins to herbs. Actually, most plants will do amazingly well in a container. Plus, containers are moveable, letting you follow the sunlight or protect your plants from harsh weather.

So, whether you are short on time or struggling with poor soil where you live, theses tips on container gardening will get you back to growing again.

Shop Your Home First

Before we get started, here’s a quick reminder: you probably already have a lot of the supplies you’ll need for container gardening right at home. That means you can skip over some of the sections I’ve laid out here if you’re already stocked up.

I want to make sure this guide is thorough so you know what’s helpful to have on hand, but don’t forget to shop your home first before heading to the store. Think of this as a little inspiration to get creative and repurpose items you’ve got tucked away around the house or yard.

a grown planter on a table with a pepper plant growing inside

Supplies for Planting in Containers

You will need a few supplies for planting, including soil, seeds, and a comfortable area where you can work planting and transplanting seedlings.

Potting soil – Look for a healthy organic option to give your plants and seeds the best environment to grow in. A potting soil mix will be much lighter, allowing you to move your containers around easily if needed.
Fertilizer – Boost your plants from the beginning with a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Seeds – Stock up on seeds to grow your favorite herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
Seed starting containers – Use them to start any long-growing plants indoors. This will help you to jumpstart the growing season.
Raised Garden Table – A great option for growing a mini garden that is compact and higher up.

Dalzom® 60Pcs 3.1” Peat Pots with 60Pcs Plant Labels, Biodegradable Pots for Seedlings with Drainage Holes, Garden Plant Nursery Pots Seed Starting Trays Burpee SuperSeed Seed Starting Tray | 36 Cell Reusable Seed Starter Tray | for Starting Vegetable, Flower & Herb Seeds | Indoor Grow Kit for Plant Seedlings | for Germination Success GROWFRIEND Upgraded Seed Starter Tray with Grow Lights and Heat Mat, 3-in-1 Soil Meter, & Sticky Gnat Traps, 40-Cell Seed Growing Tray, Germination & Plant Propagation Station for Indoor Plants

Supplies for Growing

Once your containers are planted and in place, a few extra tools can ensure your plants grow well, stay hydrated, and are protected from pests or unexpected weather.

Irrigation Hose – A lifesaver for watering multiple pots at once. Just lay it over your containers, and it’ll provide a nice, slow, steady water to your plants.
Watering can – Great for smaller setups or if you only have a few containers.
Plant Supports – Good for peppers and jalapeños.
Tomato Cages – Keep your plants upright and prevent them from being weighed down by heavy tomatoes. Quick tip: Add the cages to your planters early, before the plants grow too large. This will save you from dealing with broken branches later.
Protective cloth covers – These will protect your plants from any pests.
Protective plastic covers – These are perfect for shielding your plants from unexpected frosts or hailstorms. Here’s a budget-friendly tip: repurpose clean, empty milk jugs for the job. Simply wash them thoroughly, cut off the bottom (removing any sharp edges), and place them over your young plants when needed.

TOCCYARD 4 Pack Plant Support Tomato Cages for Garden, 18 Inches Small Tomato Cages and Supports with Adjustable Rings for Garden Pots, Plant Stakes Tomato Trellis Rings for Climbing Plants Blue_Stone Plant Covers Frost Protection Bag Winter Reusable Plants Jacket with 3 Style 3 Pack 23 Maotong 240FT Drip Irrigation System Kit, Automatic Garden Watering Misting System for Greenhouse, Yard, Lawn, Plant with 1/2 inch Hose 1/4 inch Distribution Tubing and Accessories

Containers for Large Plants

Now let’s look at a few container options you can use to grow larger plants in. These are good for potatoes, tomatoes, or pepper plants.

10 Gallon Grow Bags – These are a great choice for plants like tomatoes, peppers, squash, or even corn. They provide plenty of room for roots to spread and have all the drainage you need.
Rectangle Grow Bags with Handles – Need more space? These bags offer extra room for bigger plants and are easy to move around thanks to the handles.
Potato Grow Bags – Perfect for root plants! They come with handy windows below the soil, so you can check on your crop’s progress without digging.
Budget-Friendly Option: Repurpose unused containers or buckets to grow in. Be sure there is enough room and drainage to keep the roots healthy.

VIVOSUN 5-Pack 10-Gallon Colored Grow Bags, 350G Thick nonwoven Fabric Pots with Handles for Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables Jorvila 5 Pack 10 Gallon Thickened Grow Bags, Aeration Nonwoven Fabric Plant Pots with Durable Handles, Heavy Duty 300G Planter Pot for Tomato, Potato and Vegetable 10 Gallon Potato Grow Bags – 6 Pack 350g Heavy Duty Thick Aeration Nonwoven Fabric Pots with Handles, Potatoes Grow Bags 10 Gal with Flap, Garden Bags for Growing Potatoes Plant Vegetables Flower

Containers for Medium Plants

Got medium-sized plants like squash, cucumbers, onions, or carrots? Here are some great container options to grow in:

5 Gallon Grow Bags – These are a solid choice for medium veggies like peppers, giving them plenty of room to grow. They are affordable and can be used year after year.
Raised bed garden – This option is growing in popularity, so you can easily find a setup that works. Many come with handy zipper greenhouses, perfect for extending your growing season and getting an early start.
Budget-Friendly Option – Don’t want to splurge? Repurpose pots, buckets, or even an old plastic tote. Just make sure there’s enough room and proper drainage so your plant roots can spread out and stay healthy.

a pepperå that was grown in a grow bag container garden

Containers for Small Plants

Have smaller plants to grow? Shallow, wide containers are perfect for mixing herbs or starting a salad garden. Here are some fun and practical options to try:

Raised Bed Grow Box – A portable planter with wheels that lets you move if needed. This option is low to the ground, so you should keep that in mind.
Elevated Grow Box Setup – I love this option because it looks great while taking advantage of your vertical space. If you do not have a lot of room, you may want to invest in this setup.
Hanging Grow Bags – This will help you to again take advantage of your wall space allowing you to grow herbs just about anywhere.

Toolsempire Raised Garden Bed with Trellis & 2 Planter Boxes, 2-Tier Outdoor Wooden Elevated Planter Box with Legs & Drainage Holes, Gardening Planter for Flowers, Herbs, Vegetables & Fruits(Brown)4 Piece Upside Down Strawberry & Tomato Planter – Hanging Grow Bags Kit – Strawberry Planter – Hanging Grow Bags D’vine Dev Planter Raised Beds – Elevated Planter Garden Box with Drainage Plug Raised Garden Beds for Vegetable/Flower/Herb Outdoor Standing Planter Beds Gardening Kit, RGB-3

Best Container Options for Popular Plants

If you only have a few things you want to grow, there are good options that you may want to consider for your setup.

Container for Potatoes

Love growing your own potatoes? There are some fantastic grow bag options designed just for this! Whether you’re planting regular potatoes, baby potatoes, or sweet potatoes, these containers get the job done:

Potato Grow Bags with Flap – These come with handy windows that make harvesting your spuds super easy.
Plastic Garden Planter Pot – Features a pull-out container that simplifies picking your potatoes when they’re ready.
Potato Grow Bags 10 Gallon 3 pack – A convenient option to grow and harvest multiple batches at once.
4 Pack 10 Gallon Garden Potato Grow Bags – Heavy-duty bags that are durable and give your potatoes plenty of room to grow.

potatoes growing in a collection of grow bags

Containers for Herbs

Growing herbs both inside and outside of the home is a wonderful way to garden. You can grow your favorites year-round and dry the excess to stock your kitchen pantry.

Herb Garden Planter – A raised table with small compartments for herb plants.
5 Tier Garden Tower for Herbs – Great if you are short on space.
Freestanding Elevated Planter for Herbs – Love this option!
3 Windowsill Herb Planter Box – Grow herbs right outside your window.
Hanging Planters with Herb Pockets – A super unique way to grow herbs!

5-Pack Herb Planter,Window Boxes Planters with Multiple Drainage Holes,8.5 Vertical Planter 5 Tier Stackable Planters Garden Planters Strawberry Herb Flower and Vegetable Planter Indoor Outdoor Gardening Pots with Removable Wheels and Tools Miewslan Hanging Railing Planter, 4 Pocket Vertical Planter Garden Plant Hanger Grow Bags, Both Sides Fence Fabric Hanging Planter Bag for Salads, Herbs, and Flowers (Black)

Growing Herbs Resources:

Looking for tips on how to grow your best herb garden yet? Check out our top growing guides.

What do you need to do to grow in an older container?

Before you grab a bucket and start planting, you will need to prep the container to ensure you have a healthy environment to grow in.

#1. Clean

With any containers that you plan to use that are not new, be sure to wash and sterilize them before planting. Use a bleach and water mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water to thoroughly was the inside. Once finished, give a good rinse to remove any remaining residue.

Use the sun to dry your containers! It’s a natural disinfectant that helps keep your growing spaces clean and ready for planting.

plastic plant containers dawn dish soap and bleach on a counter

#2. Drainage

No matter what container you choose, ensuring proper drainage is essential for healthy plants. Many DIY containers may lack sufficient drainage, but it’s an easy fix. Simply add a few holes at the bottom using a hammer and nails, or use a drill for quicker results.

Indoor Growing Options

Who says container gardening is only for the outdoors? Today gardening inside the home is becoming more and more popular and for a good reason.

There are tons of ways you can grow right on your counter to a full setup in your family room. Start out small and see how you do before investing in a larger hydroponic setup.

3 Tiered Stackable Indoor Vertical Herb Planter
Indoor Herb Vegetable Plant Garden Kit
Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light – Everything you need for a countertop garden.
Self Watering Planters Pots – Great for herbs, lettuce, or other small veggies.

Growing your summer garden using containers is a great way to make the most of the space you have. Just a few pots and grow bags are all you need to get started. Try out this easier way to garden and refer to this container gardening supply list to ensure you have all the tools and containers you need to get started.

Container Gardening Supply List