Large containers work best for big plants such as eggplant, because they allow ample space for the roots to grow big enough to support the plants. Large containers are deep and at least 18 inches wide.
Containers can be placed anywhere convenient as long as there is a source of water and plenty of sunshine.
For anyone in wheelchair or who has trouble bending over, growing vegetables in a large pot is the next best thing to raised beds.
Your container needs least six hours of sun each day for maximum flavor and yield.
Use a premium quality potting mix. DON’T use garden soil; it can be too dense and infested with disease or nematodes. After a year, empty the old soil, which loses its original texture, into a compost pile and replace with new. In cool climates where decomposition is slow, a two year rotation is usually okay.
Before planting, mix timed-release fertilizer into the soil at the rate recommended on the label. Because vegetables in a pot need watering more often than those in the ground, nutrients may not last as long. Follow up with a liquid fertilizer such as Bonnie Herb & Vegetable Plant Food during the growing season.
Mulch the vegetables in pots like you would those in the ground to help conserve moisture.
The Container
- Use stakes to keep tall tomato plants and other upright plants from toppling over when growing in pots.
Containers must have drainage holes and be large enough to accommodate roots. Tomatoes and peppers need a minimum of a five-gallon pot. Whiskey-barrel size is even better. You can grow almost all vegetables in containers.
Put heavy pots on casters to make it easier to move them around.
Consider a spaghetti tube drip irrigation system if you have a lot of pots clustered in a single place that is easy to run water to. It will make watering a breeze.
Support
Tomatoes and vining vegetables such as cucumbers and peas need something to climb. Buy a wire cage or make a wire trellis for support. For an ornamental touch, make a support tepee with bamboo stakes tied together with twine.
If possible, let a vigorous plant such as Sweet 100 tomato scamper onto a deck railing for additional growing room.
Suggested Varieties
All greens–collards, lettuce, mustard, and others–are perfect for containers. You can mix them with flowers for an ornamental touch. Lettuces can yield a surprising amount. Pick only the outer leaves to keep the harvest going.
Eggplant and peppers of all types make pretty summer pots and tasty summer meals.
Choose compact “bush” varieties when possible. All tomatoes work in pots if the pot is large enough and you have a good, tall cage or other support, but those bred specifically for containers such as Bush Goliath or Better Bush are short, stout, and easier to manage.
See all of our container gardening articles in the Gardening Library for lots more detailed information.
Bought your Crooked Neck Squash in a the 4″ biodegradable pot. What size pot/Container will be appropriate for the adult fruiting plant ? Thanks, DDS
Hi David,
You should use a large container, about 24 inches in diameter, for a summer squash. They can get huge! Happy gardening!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants
I was wondering if you had a list of vegetables that were suited to container growing???
Yes, William, we do. Here are some suggestions:
-All herbs. Any herb does well in a pot.
-All greens. Collards, lettuce, mustard, Swiss chard and others are perfect for pots. You can mix them with flowers for an ornamental touch. Lettuces yield a surprising amount. Pick only the outer leaves to keep the harvest going.
-Eggplant and peppers of all types make pretty summer pots.
-All tomatoes work in pots if the pot is large enough, and if you have a good, tall cage or other support, but Husky Cherry Red, Patio, Bush Early Girl, Bush Goliath, and Better Bush are especially easy to manage in containers.
-Cucumbers in a big pot can climb a trellis to save space. Even “bush” cucumbers climb.
-Squash and zucchini work in large pots such as half barrels.
Happy growing!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants
I was reading your how to grow vegetables in containers. It says do not use garden soil. I have been using miracle grow garden soil in a cantainer garden for years. I do mix it with black top soil. About half and half. I also put a six inch deep pan under the container to catch the water run off and let the plant draw it back up when needed. My tomato plants grow to around six feet tall and I get a lot of tomatoes that are mighty tasty.
Last year, I grew some “clumping” green onions in a 12-inch pot. I could hardly keep up with all of them, and ended up giving many away to friends. I’ve been looking for green onions this year, but have yet to find any. I hope in the future you will consider adding green onions to your products.
Hi Carlos,
You are a great gardener to share your harvest! We do sell onions of all types; look at this listing. They are available in your area stores when it’s nearing time to plant. Ask your local garden center to order from your local Bonnie rep and we will happily supply if it is in inventory and the proper time. Thanks for buying Bonnie! ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
Thanks, Mary Beth. I saw that listing, but I didn’t see green onions. Unless I’m mistaken, they’re also known as scallions. I’ve seen 2 varieties in the past: those which bulbs grow individually, kind of like leeks; and those which bulbs grow in clumps. The clumping ones are extremely prolific. Anyway, I hope you will give consideration to offering the clumping variety one of these days.
We decided to use containers this year for our zucchini because the bugs where so bad last year. If we see bugs again this year what product should we use?
Hi Sharlene,
I’m not sure which bugs you’re talking about, but I bet it’s squash vine borers. Squash vine borers are a real pain, they destroy a squash/zucchini crop, and they are very hard to get rid of! Read our article “Surgery for Squash Vine Borers” for more information. If you think it’s something else, send a note to our Ask an Expert service for more help.
Happy growing!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants