Container Vegetable Gardening - Getting Started

It Starts with the Pot

When starting a container vegetable garden, the choice of a proper pot is key.  If it’s too small it will crowd the roots.  Conversely, very large pots can be difficult to move so they can take best advantage of the available sunlight.  A good pot for container vegetable gardening needs to provide good drainage. Visualize the mature plants, not forgetting the root system, and make sure the pot is large enough to allow the finished plant room.

One rule of thumb for container vegetable gardens is to allow at least 18 inches in diameter or width and 18 inches of depth for most plants; this will vary depending on the exact vegetable that is being grown, carrots for example will need twice the depth they are expected to reach at maturity, while many herbs will get by with considerably less room.

Pot Material

The pot material (including the color of the pot) are important factors to consider for container vegetable gardens. 
This type of pot to give the best results can even vary with the outdoor climate.  Cold climates with little sun can enjoy dark colored pots made of metals as they can stand up to the winter cold, and there is little worry of overheating heating the root system during the summer months.

In the warmer climates a better choice for container vegetable gardens are often wood and clay containers; the roots can breathe and wood containers will retain moisture better to allow less frequent watering.  Light colored pots won’t retain the heat as well and will help to assure the roots do not get over heated.

Location and Sunlight

Making sure that your indoor vegetables get enough sunlight will be a primary factor in deciding where to set your pots; many vegetables call for full sun, and full sun generally means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.  Manyplants can tolerate some partial shade but they will still need at least 3 hours of direct sun each day.   

If you make your pots mobile so that you can set them outside sometimes for more sunlight or rain when the weather permits, you need to make sure they don’t get water logged during a heavy rain, especially if you are tempted to put the pot in a roof drain off location.

Watering

A container vegetable garden needs plenty of water and drainage; insuring the proper amount of water and air reach the roots is essential to successful growing.  Feeling soil an inch below the surface will tell if the plant is in need of water; drooping plants are a sign of dehydration not just need of a little water, plants should never be allowed to reach that point.  There are also moisture meters sold that will help keep this at the right level; this can be handy if you are not one to remember to check the moisture in your vegetable container often.  It is important to remember to avoid watering the leaves of the plant, directing the water to the soil.  The root system carries the water to the whole plant, the leaves cannot absorb it themselves; while excess moisture on the leaves can cause bacteria, mold or other diseases.