Container Vegetable Garden Ideas
A helpful list of container vegetable garden ideas that will get you growing no matter where you live.
Get inspiring ideas to create a thriving vegetable garden right on your back porch and discover how container gardening can help you grow a bountiful and beautiful garden in a small space.
These tips for container gardening so you can grow the food you love without all the work of a traditional setup.
I often hear from readers who dream of growing a vegetable garden but worry it’s not possible because they live in the suburbs or face physical challenges.
Over the years, I’ve also started searching for simpler, more practical ways to grow our food—and what I’ve found as helped me to love gardening again.
Gardening has become far more inclusive and accessible than ever before.
With new methods and creative solutions, growing your own food is easier than you might think, no matter where you live or what limitations you face.
How to grow a garden in the city
To grow nearly any vegetable, herbs, or fruit plant, all you need is the right container—one that provides ample space for the plant to thrive above the soil and for its roots to spread below.
Sounds simple, right? Here’s where it gets a bit tricky.
The size of the container you’ll need can vary depending on the specific variety of plant you’re growing. This is especially true for popular choices like tomatoes and peppers.
Choosing the Best Container
Before we start talking about the different container options out there, let’s first go over a few things to remember.
#1. Color Matters
When picking a container, keep in mind that color matters more than you might think. Dark-colored containers soak up more heat from the sun, which then transfers to the soil.
This extra warmth can affect your plants, especially during hot weather. Choosing the right color can make a big difference in how well your plants grow.
#2. What it is Made Of
Be sure to check what material your container is made from. Avoid using containers made from pressure-treated wood, as they often contain chemicals that can leach into the soil and be absorbed by your plants.
Choosing safe materials is key to protecting the health of your garden—and the food you grow.
#3. Check for Drainage
One of the biggest challenges with container gardening is using pots that don’t allow excess water to escape.
Without drainage holes, water can collect at the bottom, leaving your plant’s roots sitting in overly wet soil.
This can lead to root rot and severely harm your plants. Choosing containers with adequate drainage is key to keeping your plants healthy and thriving.
What containers are best to grow vegetables in?
The great thing about container gardening is that you probably already have plenty of options around your home waiting to be used.
Take a look at this list and let it inspire you to start growing the foods you love right in your own space.
Even the tiniest apartments can fit an indoor garden. Grow the Best Indoor Vegetable Plants all year round.
Buckets
Almost any bucket you have on hand can be a great choice for a vegetable patio garden.
Their depth makes them ideal for plants with larger root systems, like beets or carrots or those with a heavier, top-heavy growth, such as tomatoes and peppers.
When growing top-heavy or heavily fruiting plants, it’s not just about picking the right container—make sure to provide sturdy support to keep your plants healthy and secure as they thrive.
The downfall with buckets is the weight. The larger the container, the heavier it will be when planted. Keep this in mind when choosing a location since moving once a plant is established, and fruiting has begun may be difficult to do.
Terra Cotta pots
Terra Cotta pots are an excellent choice for growing herbs and small plants like lettuce. To get started, fill your pots with well-draining soil and plant your herb seedlings or seeds.
Place them on your patio during the summer months, where they can soak up the sun and thrive.
When the weather starts to cool, simply bring the pots indoors to keep your herbs growing year-round. Their lightweight and compact size make it easy to move them to the perfect spot, whether inside or outside.
Growing Tip: Keep in mind that clay pots tend to absorb water, which means your plants may need more frequent watering.
To help retain moisture and reduce the need for constant watering, try placing these smaller containers in partial sun instead of full sun.
This can be especially helpful during hot summer days, keeping your plants healthier and happier.
Read our fun DIY Kitchen Herb Garden for a step-by-step project you can do in an afternoon.
Window box planters
Window box planters are an excellent option for growing multiple plants in a compact space. With the right-sized container, you can grow a salad garden.
To begin, fill the planter with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Choose a mix of leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and arugula, and plant them according to the spacing guidelines on the seed packet.
Place the window box in an area that gets plenty of sunlight, as most greens thrive in full sun.
Water your greens regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
As the greens grow, use a pair of kitchen scissors to harvest only what you need. Snip the leaves near the base to encourage regrowth, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, crisp salad ingredients.
Not only are these window box planters practical for growing fresh greens right at your fingertips, but they also make a beautiful addition to your windowsill or outdoor space, enhancing its charm while providing you with garden-fresh salads.
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Get creative
Use your creativity to reuse what you have in a new and exciting way. You night be surprised to find the perfect container to grow a garden sitting in front of you.
- Old dresser drawers
- Discarded cooking pots
- Milk jugs, coffee cans
- An old wheelbarrow
If it can hold dirt for a growing season, handle drainage, and is relatively easy to move it just might work great as a patio garden container.
Just remember, when it comes to size, you are looking at the width and the depth of the planter.
I know I have said this before, but if there is not enough room for the roots to really grow and flourish, your plant will be unstable and fragile.
This will give you little fruit throughout the growing season.
Half Barrels
Half barrels make excellent containers for growing a wide variety of plants. They’re ideal for a salad garden or plants with larger root systems, such as vining cucumbers or squash.
To get started, fill the barrel with high-quality soil and plant your seeds or seedlings according to their spacing requirements.
These barrels provide plenty of space for roots to spread, making them perfect for larger plants.
Keep in mind that the larger the container, the more difficult it will be to move once planted. Plan the location carefully before filling and planting, as the barrel will likely need to stay in place for the entire growing season.
It’s also important to protect the surface of your patio, porch, or deck. A heavy container like this can leave marks or cause damage if left in one spot too long.
Feed Bag
Last year I experimented with growing peppers in a few old feed bags. I was pleasantly surprised at how well these plants did.
I used the smaller bags that were leftover from our chicken feed, and they were the perfect size for a bell pepper plant.
Sure, they didn’t look the best, but tucked inside my flower bed, they were almost completely hidden from view.
I loved having bell peppers right off our patio and needed more than those several plants grew.
The best part about using feed bags is the ease of moving when needed. At the end of the growing season, I was able to pick up the bags of dirt and put them all into a wheelbarrow. Super simple clean-up makes this option one of my favorites.
Grow Bags
A few years ago, I started using grow bags for planting, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed gardening with them.
One of their biggest advantages is their portability—you can easily move them around, even after they’re planted. Plus, grow bags come in a variety of sizes, making them incredibly versatile for growing anything from herbs and flowers to larger vegetables.
They also work great for growing root plants such as potatoes or onions.
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What vegetables can you grow in containers?
Well, if the container is big enough…just about anything!
Remember, the key ingredients to growing a plant are the soil, water, and warm sunshine. As long as you have all three, then you can grow just about anything.
The key here is to be sure you have enough room for the plant to grow and the plant’s roots to flourish.
To be sure you have the correct size, you will want to do a little research to find the amount of room a full-size plant takes up. And by correct size, I mean deep enough and wide enough.
Choose your container with the end result in mind. So, in the beginning, your container will dwarf the plant, and that is a good thing.
How to grow vegetables in containers
Now that you have your own list of container gardening ideas that work for you let’s get to planting!
Step #1. Prepare your Containers
Make sure your container is cleaned. A good washing with 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water. Then wash again with gentle soap and water, finishing up with a good thorough rinsing.
I also like to allow my containers to dry in the sunshine for an afternoon. The ultraviolet rays of the hot sun work as a natural disinfectant for the containers.
Step #2. When to Plant
Plant your container garden at the same time you would plant any garden. This will all depend on the area where you live and what zone you are in.
Usually, the warmer months in spring will be your goal, being sure the threat of frost is over so you don’t hurt your fragile plants.
Lucky for you, if a threat of frost does come, you can cover or even move your containers, protecting them from any damage—something you cannot do in a stationary garden.
If you are not sure of your planting zone, you can find out HERE.
Step #3. Fill the Planter with Dirt
I suggest using good organic soil and staying a few inches from the top of the planter. Remember, the soil will settle after a time, and you may need to add additional soil as the growing season progresses.
The goal is to keep the soil loose and not pack things in too tightly.
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Step #4. Add your Seeds and/or Plants
Before adding, you will want to give things a good water first, allowing the soil to settle so the water can be absorbed completely.
This will help the soil hold in the seeds and plantings better while giving those seeds and seedlings the perfect damp environment to grow in. I like to let things sit just an hour or so before planting.
Plant according to the seed or plant’s instructions. A good rule of thumb is the larger the plant, the larger the container is needed.
If you want good growth and a healthy harvest, match the plant to the correct-sized container so there is enough space for the root system.
Think out AND down. Wide enough for the plant and deep enough for the roots.
Step #5. Watering
The only downfall to vegetable container gardening is watering.
Pots tend to dry out quicker than plants potted directly into the soil. For that reason, you need to have a set routine of daily watering. I like to set a reminder on my phone to be sure I don’t forget.
Use a habit trigger to be sure you do not forget. Your first cup of coffee can come out with you as you water your plants each morning. Soon, just pouring that cup will remind you to water your plants in containers.
Just one morning of not watering can damage your plants, especially those in containers. For that reason, you need to set up as many reminders as you can until this new task becomes a habit.
Growing a garden on your back porch is a wonderful way to fill your pantry and freezer with fresh organic food that will last you through winter.
With just a few container vegetable gardening ideas, you can get started right away so this summer, you can enjoy a few fresh and delicious tomatoes right outside your kitchen door.
Turn your kitchen into a mini farm. Learn How to Set up a DIY Indoor Garden System today.
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