Tomatoes are one type of vegetable that is easily grown in containers. What’s great about growing them in containers is that you can easily adjust the conditions surrounding your tomatoes.  While it is fairly easy to grow tomatoes in containers, there are still some guidelines you will want to follow to grow the best tomatoes possible.

How to Container Garden Tomatoes: Starting the Plants

You can grow any type of tomato in containers, but there are species that are more easy to manage when grown in containers. Typically, you are looking for tomato plants that will grow more compact and bushy.

• For larger tomatoes, choose plants like Patio Hybrid and Husky Red or Husky Gold Hybrid
• For regular-sized tomatoes, choose plants like Mountain Delight, Mountain Pride, or Celebrity
• For cherry tomatoes, choose plants like Red Robin, Yellow Canary, Tiny Tim, or Cherry Gold
• You can either start the plants from seeds indoors in mid-March or April, or buy pre-grown plants in May

How to Container Garden Tomatoes: Suitable Containers

Tomatoes can be grown in a variety of containers, but they tend to grow quickly so make sure to use a large enough container.

• For smaller plants, use any pot that has a 12” diameter and is 12” deep
• A 5-gallon bucket or container is always the perfect size and inexpensive
• Make sure your container has multiple drainage holes at the bottom
• Place a coffee filter or something similar at the bottom of the container to prevent soil from spilling out of the holes and keep pests from getting in

How to Container Garden Tomatoes: Potting Soil

Often for container gardening, you do not want to use soil straight from your garden. Instead make or purchase a soil that will work well for container gardening.

• Good-quality potting mix bought from the store usually works fine
• You can also make your own peat or compost-based soil
• For organic tomatoes, find good-quality organic potting soil from the store
• To plant the tomato plant, place some soil on the bottom first, and then set the plant inside. Bury the roots and stem just below the lowest leaves and fill in with potting soil
• You should leave about an inch of space below the rim of the pot for future watering

How to Container Garden Tomatoes: Tomato Plant Care

Since your tomatoes are growing in containers, you will have to make sure you are attentive to their needs of water and nutrients.

• Either add a slow-release fertilizer to your soil or every two to three weeks, add a water-soluble fertilizer
• Water your tomato containers every day, and make sure the soil is not too dry or soggy
• Place your tomatoes in a location where they will get at least 8 hours of sun a  day and are protected from strong winds
• The more tomatoes you pick, the more will pop up!

There are many simple ways to spruce up your garden. Even though these ideas may be simple to design or add to your garden, they can make a large difference in how your garden looks!

Best Simple Garden Ideas: Patio

Creating a patio space in your garden is a great way to make a place for relaxation or socializing in your yard.

• Put down some concrete or stones to make a flat area where you can put some chairs and a table
• Border your patio with planters or containers to help make it stand out in your garden
• Make some shade for your patio by buying or purchasing a structure to go overhead; you can even grow vine or climber plants on the top to add beauty to your structure

Best Simple Garden Ideas: Pathways

Creating some simple 3’-4’ wide pathways through your garden adds style as well as allows people to explore your garden.

• Use round or square concrete blocks embedded in the ground to create a pathway
• Clear plants from your planned walkway, and then fill it will small pebbles
• Use a plain dirt walkway and line the sides with rocks or one type of plant
• Place items of interest along the walkway, like arches or water features

Best Simple Garden Ideas: Create a Design

If you plan beforehand what you want your plants to look like altogether, it will help your garden visually and make for less transplanting later.

• Plant color in groups and then surround them with evergreen shrubs to provide contrast
• Layer your plants from shortest to tallest so that you will be able to see all of your plants once they are fully grown
• Consider covering ugly fences/walls with vines or climber plants
• If you want to add above ground features, like raised beds or containers, make sure you make space for them
• To add privacy to any place in your garden, use taller shrubs/bushes

Best Simple Garden Ideas: Install Other Features

If you have the finances, you may want to consider adding features like an outdoor kitchen or a pool to your garden. This will allow for more opportunities to be outside and enjoy your garden!

• Installing a pool is great for those who have children or like to host events; you can always decorate your pool deck with potted plants
• An outdoor kitchen or bar is a great place for socializing in your garden
• Install a fountain or waterfall to add a soothing visual and audial feature

Strawberries are most easily grown in special pots or planters. Typically, these pots are shaped like an urn and have holes on the sides which allow the plant to spread out. With these special pots or planters, which can be left above ground or buried in soil, growing strawberries becomes fairly easy to do.

Best Strawberry Pots & Planters Tips: Pot Materials

There are several materials that strawberry pots can be made out of. Strawberry plants will grow in each material, but each has pros and cons.

• Plastic can be decorative or plain, and is generally inexpensive; sometimes it can be too light and will lead to your plants falling over in the wind
• Terra cotta/clay is usually attractive and will hold heat well, however it loses moisture readily and so needs to be watered more often
• Wooden barrels are also good at holding heat and add interest to your garden, however they tend to be heavy and may rot if not made of good wood
• Ceramic pots are attractive and retain water well, but they are generally more expensive

Best Strawberry Pots & Planters Tips: Installing Strawberry Plants

With a different sort of pot and growing style, you have to put your strawberry plants into your pots a certain way. Know that for a strawberry pot, ever-bearing and day-neutral are the best types of strawberry plants to use.

• Fill the pot up with soil until the lowest pocket(s) and insert one plant into each pocket; fill around them with soil
• Insert a 1” tube with holes drilled in its side into the pot, but not directly over the drainage hole; use this later to make sure that all the pockets will get sufficient water
• Continue filling in soil and adding plants to pockets until you reach 2” below the rim
• Add 3-4 plants to the top of the container and fill in with soil

Best Strawberry Pots & Planters Tips: Long-term Care

Strawberries are perennials, so as long as you take good care of them, they should continue to produce fruit year after year. They can fairly easily be grown in either pots or planters. Here are some tips for keeping your strawberry plants alive and healthy in the long run!

• Any soil high in organic matter will work well for strawberry plants; consider adding compost, peat, leaf mold, or bone meal to make even better soil
• Strawberry plants need at least six hours a day of sunlight
• Water daily or as needed
• Either add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil or fertilize every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer
• Watch for pests or fungus, which will need to be treated with some application of insecticide or fungicide
• Pick strawberries when they are ripe, and remove any rotting fruit or yellowed leaves

When you plan for your vegetable container garden, you need to think about which containers to purchase. The material and size of your containers will affect the plants that grow inside of them, so make sure you know which containers are the best to choose!

Best Containers for Gardening Vegetables: Choosing Containers

When you choose a container for your vegetables, you need to think about the material their made of. You have the ability to choose between many different materials that are appropriate for plant growth, but also serve as decoration for your garden. Here are the best materials for containers:

• Rot-resistant wood will keep your plants moist
• Clay or terracotta looks good but tends to lose water more easily
• Good-quality plastic is cheap and easy to get
• Ceramics always look nice, but should not be used in winter
• Non-traditional containers include boots, laundry baskets, grocery bags, bowls, teapots, etc.; you can use anything as long as it is large enough and is well-drained
• Darker containers will absorb more heat and need to be protected from the sun on hot days
• You can also purchase a self-watering container, but you would need to make that your plant does not have standing water

Best Containers for Gardening Vegetables: Plants & Container Size

To choose the correct containers for your vegetable garden, you need to know how large your plants are and how much space they will need. Here are some vegetables that are great for container gardening:

• Peas
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Peppers
• Radishes
• Baby Carrots
• Zucchini squash
• Green beans
• Leaf Lettuce

Choose the size of your containers relative to the plant you will be growing: shallow-rooted plants (lettuce, peppers, radishes) should be 6” across and 8” deep, and larger plants (tomatoes, squash) need larger containers, like a half-barrel or large plastic bucket. On your seed packets it should say how much space the plant will need to grow. Larger containers will retain more moisture, but you should keep your space restrictions in mind when you purchase your containers.

Best Containers for Gardening Vegetables: Good Drainage

Good drainage is essential in any container. If there is standing water in a container, it can attract insects and disease. If there isn’t enough water, your plant will not be able grow.

• Choose a container that has holes in the bottom of it, or make holes yourself; there should at least be one large hole, or several smaller ones
• Line the bottom of your container with newspaper or a coffee filter, and place gravel on top of it to help with drainage
• Purchase a soilless mix; they have great drainage and will fend-off disease and weeds
• Water your vegetables every day or as needed; as long as the soil is moist 1” deep, your vegetables have enough water

Follow these tips, and you will be on your way to a successful growing season. Good luck with your vegetable container garden!

A patio is a space for outdoor relaxation. Adding a garden to your patio will make your patio more beautiful and interesting. It’s also a great way to continue gardening if you are limited by outdoor space.

Best Patio Gardening Ideas: Borders

Lining your patio with plants will help it stand out as a room in your yard. If you have a smaller patio, use smaller plants or trim often to prevent your patio from being overwhelmed

• Build or buy raised planters and fill them with plants to border your patio
• Line the edge of your patio with plants in containers; this will make it a little easier for you to change the plants lining your patio if you so desire
• If you want to add some privacy to your patio, plant taller shrubs or bushes instead of smaller plants
• You can layer your flowers so that the tallest are in the back, and the shortest “trailing” plants are in the front

Best Patio Gardening Ideas: Hanging Plants

If you have a structure over your patio or railings on the sides, it is very easy to add some hanging plants to your garden.

• Find some hanging baskets that you can put soil and complementary plants into; you can hang them on your structures or leave them on the ground
• With nearby railings, consider buying railing flower boxes and filling them with flowers or plants of your choice

Best Patio Gardening Ideas: Trellis & Lattice Plants

Plants that use a trellis or lattice can also help make height or create a breathable wall for your patio.

• Choose vines or climbers, like honeysuckle, morning glories, or trumpet vines, to grow on your trellis
• Place your trellis/lattice against a wall to make a plain wall more beautiful , or place it on an open side of your patio to help create shade and/or privacy
• For your structures or pergolas, you can also place a lattice on top and grow plants like wisteria, jasmine, or magnolias that will cover and trail off the top

Best Patio Gardening Ideas: Tabletops

If you have counter-tops on your patio, that’s another simple way to add plants!

• Use smaller plain or decorative containers with attractive smaller plants to decorate your countertops
• If there’s a side table you don’t use much, consider making a pot that had layered plants and trailing ones on the edges to drape over your table
• Grow a container vegetable garden that will be accessible, delicious, and fun to look at

Any of these patio gardening ideas will help transform your patio into an inviting and beautiful space!

Railing flower boxes are great for any place around the outside of your home where you want to add a miniature garden. They’re relatively easy to install, move, and decorate, and are a great way to add beauty to the outside of your home!

Railing Flower Boxes: Sizes & Placement

While most flower boxes are fairly similar in size, there are enough so that you can choose boxes based on the sizes you want. Once you’ve picked out the right flower box, follow these tips for the best placement of your flower boxes.

• Make sure that your railings will hold the weight of your flower boxes, and are the right width for the railing brackets you use
• If your flower box is going on a railing under the window, pick a box that is a little wider than the window itself
• Unless you have plants that prefer shade, place your flower boxes in locations where they will get plenty of sun
• Try to avoid areas that are subject to particularly windy conditions

Railing Flower Boxes: Design Ideas

When you choose your flower boxes, make sure their design match the architectural and visual style of your home.  There are many designs to choose from, all of which are available in a gardening store or online.

• For wooden and white railings, there are many options for white or wooden flower boxes, including lattice patterned, basket weave pattern, or just plain boxes.
• If you have metal railings, hayrack troughs are a beautiful addition that will blend perfectly
• You can also paint your flower boxes to complement your house; you could even add a color to create a trim around your house

Railing Flower Boxes: Planting Design

Many people make the mistake of planting only one row of the same plant within a flower box. Give your flower boxes more shape and interest by adding more plants and planting them in rows.

• Choose several different plants to be together in a box that vary in size and texture, but have similar needs
• Put the same plants in a line, with three or four lines of different plants, and create a windowed pattern
• Layer your plants from tallest (in the back) to shortest (in the front); you can also put trailing plants in the front to create an overflowing look

Railing Flower Boxes: Plant Care

Since your plants are in boxes and not in the ground, you need to care of them differently. Here are some tips for how to take care of plants inside your railing flower boxes.

• Buy soilless mixes to fill your boxes, which are lightweight and help prevents pests and disease
• Make sure there’s a drainage mat or something similar at the bottom of your flower boxes
• Use a slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer as needed
• Watch the moisture levels of the soil in your boxes, and water at least once a day
• Remove dead or dying flowers and leaves from your boxes to keep your plants healthy

Having large planters indoors can transform an ordinary looking room. There are many large, decorative planters available online and in stores that range in style from modern to classic and everything in between. While it is easy to choose a stylish large indoor planter, it is also important to maintain your planters, so that your plants will survive and keep your indoors looking great.

Best Care for Large Indoor Planters: Choosing Plants

There are many larger plants that will grow well and look great in your larger indoor planters. Depending on how you want your room to look— tropical, desert, traditional, zen, etc—there are many plants to that will give you just the feeling you want. Here are just a few ideal for growing indoors:

• Ficus
• Bromeliads
• Palms (especially Coco palm)
• Dracaena
• Stomanthe
• Succulents/cactus
• Citrus
• Alocasia
• Philodendron
• Kalanchoe
• Maindenhair ferns
• Orchids
• Diffenbachia

Best Care for Large Indoor Planters: Best Location

Being indoors means that your plants will be subjected to a very limited environment in the ways of nutrition. You must make sure you put your plant in a place where it will be able to get everything it needs to survive.

• Place your planters by a large window or skylight so they can get (at least) 6 hours of sunlight a day
• If you do not have enough light indoors for your plants, consider getting artificial fluorescent lighting for them
• Place the planters where there aren’t large fluctuations in temperature; temperatures in bedrooms or living rooms stay fairly constant
• Keep your plants away from direct heat sources like heaters or fireplaces; your plants will dry out very easily
• Avoid placing your plants in high traffic areas unless they are well-groomed and will not bother someone walking by

Best Care for Large Indoor Planters: Plant Care

Watch your plants carefully and make sure to water or fertilize them as needed. It is also important to check for insects and disease.

• Use distilled water (which prevents mineral buildup) to water your plants as needed
• Using a non-salt based product to fertilize your plants will also prevent mineral buildup
• Remove dust from plant leaves  with a soft cloth to allow the plant to absorb as much light as possible
• Prune your plants on a regular basis as they grow
• Catch any disease or pests early on to prevent a real problem from occurring; if it does become a serious issue, make sure to only use products safe for living areas.
• Sometimes plants will benefit from being outside for a while, so place your movable planters outside every once in a while if you can

Gardening in containers gives you flexibility and control over your garden. Manageable in any space from a stoop to a rooftop, container gardening allows you to easily move and access your plants. Containers also make it easier to optimize surrounding conditions, as well as experiment with your plants.

Best Container Gardening Tips: Choosing Containers

It’s important to choose the correct container for your location, space, and plants. Keep in mind that the only space your plant has to grow is within the container you plant it in.

• Good container material: clay, baskets, rot-resistant wood, light-weight metal, and good-quality plastic
• In hot climates, use light-colored containers to decrease heat absorption and growth of uneven roots
• In cold climates, avoid using breakable containers like glass or clay
• Use 6”-8” deep containers to allow for proper root growth; base how large the overall container is on the plant you plan to put in it
• Make sure your containers are well-drained by cutting ½” holes in the bottom and adding gravel to help with drainage

Best Container Gardening Tips: Best Plants for Containers

Luckily, there are many plants that will grow well in containers.  Here are some of the plants best-suited for container gardening.

Best Annuals & Perennials

Here are some annuals ideal for containers:

• Petunias
• Begonias
• Impatiens
• Marigolds
• Periwinkle
• Zinnias
• Geraniums
• Pansies

Choose perennials with attractive all-season foliage:

• Daylilies
• Peonies
• Phlox
• Coral-bells
• Astilbe
• Oriental poppies
• Primroses

Best Vegetables & Herbs

Start with 4” plants in order to make sure you vegetables don’t outgrow their containers.

• Carrots
• Radishes
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Spring onions
• Eggplant

Herbs for fragrance or eating:

• Rosemary
• Majoram
• Parsley
• Sage
• Fennel
• Mint
• Chives

Best Trees & Shrubs

Smaller trees are ideal for container gardening and will add structural beauty to your garden.

• Japanese maples
• Crab-apples
• Dogwoods
• Oriental cherry
• Golden-Chain tree

Shrubs are smaller and easily added to a garden to provide background and shade.

• Azaleas
• Hollies
• Japanese Yews
• Roses
• Viburnums
• Hydrangeas

Best Container Gardening Tips: Soil Maintenance

Choose a potting medium that is well-drained but will retain moisture and keep the roots of your plants evenly moist. Compost is ideal potting soil, but you can also buy a good quality potting mixture or a soilless mix from a store to use in your containers.

• Water your container garden daily, and carefully watch moisture levels during dry weather
• Use a dilute liquid fertilizer as recommended per plant
• Fertilize lighter potting mixes more often than heavier mixes
• Liquid fish emulsion or liquid seaweed can be used as a “booster”

Best Container Gardening Tips: General Care

To grow properly, your container garden needs to receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day, though more is always beneficial. Here are more tips on general care:

• When the blooms of flowering perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs fade, cut them off to prevent seed formation
• To extend the flowering season, pinch your annuals and perennials once or twice in late spring or summer
• Inspect your plants periodically for insects and disease
• Protect your plants from high light reflection during the hottest part of the day
• Shelter plants from severe rain, hail, windstorms, or early frosts

Growing your herbs in pots or containers has many benefits. If you are restricted in the space you have to grow, or simply want to be able to move your plants easily, gardening in pots is a great way to go! Gardening in pots also gives you the flexibility of growing herbs any time of the year, indoors or outdoors.

Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Choosing Containers

Choosing the correct container can be very important for the success of your herb garden. Since your herbs will depend on the space and nutrition your containers provide, make sure that you buy the right containers for your herbs.

• As long as it’s the right size, your herbs can be planted in more traditional pots including wood, plastic, cements, and clay/terra cotta (the preferred material of herb gardeners)
• Non-traditional containers include boots, grocery bags, bowls, teapots, etc.
• Choose the size of your pots relative to the herb you will be growing: a pot that is too small will make your herbs root-bound, and a pot that is too large will lead to plants growing more under the soil than above the soil
• Any container needs good drainage to be successful; drill holes into the bottoms of containers, and place gravel in the bottom of containers to help with drainage
• You can choose to purchase a larger pot and plant several different herbs in it, just make sure the herbs have similar needs in care

Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Best Herbs

To start your herb garden, you can either purchase seedlings or start your herbs from seeds. Purchasing seedlings can become expensive, but may be a good alternative to trying to grow seeds, which can be difficult if ideal growing conditions aren’t maintained. Here are some good herbs to get your herb garden started!

• Mint
• Parsley
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Thyme

Choose herbs based on what you think tastes good and/or looks attractive to you. The more herbs you pick, the more will grow back. So even if you aren’t eating the herbs, you should pinch them to make your herbs grow in fuller and well-formed.

Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Soil Care

The soil in your pots will be where your herbs get their nutrients and water. Therefore, maintaining soil will be crucial to keeping your plants healthy and tasty. Also make sure that your plants are getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

• Purchase a soilless mix; they have great drainage and will fend-off disease and weeds
• High quality potting mixes made from peat or vermiculite also work well; to improve growing conditions you can mix in compost (make up 1/3 of the entire container) with the mix
• Herbs do not require heavy applications of fertilizer; a good organic fertilizer mixed into the soil before planting is good enough
• Add a liquid fish emulsion or liquid seaweed every few weeks as a booster of nutrients for your herbs
• Water your herbs every day or as needed; as long as the soil is moist 1” deep, your herbs have enough water

Succulents are one of the easiest plants to care for, and they generally grow best in containers. Planting your succulents in containers will allow you to move your succulents around, as well as adjust their surrounding conditions.

Gardening Succulents in Containers: Succulent Types

Succulents come in many shapes and colors, and are known to be able to survive in the harshest growing conditions. Here are several of the different types of succulents and species best for container gardening.

Sempervivums

Sempervivums are known for creating miniature versions of themselves every year.

• Round and sculptural shape
• Sempervivum tectorum has an open face and is larger in size
• Sempervivum arachnoideum has a silvery webbing over its leaves, and is smaller and rounder

Sedums

Sedums can often be treated as annuals, and can be used to complement to sempervivums.

• Has a finer texture and generally has a cascading structure
• Sedum “Autumn Joy” has larger leaves and has pink blooms
• Sedum kamtschaticum is a daintier plant with small yellow blooms

Echeveria

Echeverias are polycarpic and are easily propagated through separated offsets or leaf cuttings.

• Have a more compact structure of blue-green fleshy leaves, and sometimes a section with another color
• Echeveria shaviana is a ruffle-leaved Mexican plant that has a blue-green and dark purple color
• Echeveria “Blue Curl” has a pink stalk of leaves that turns blue as it curls
• Echeveria elegans is one of the most commonly planted succulents, and if maintained can grow quite large

Gardening Succulents in Containers: Best Containers

Since succulents have such shallow roots, they prefer being a shallower container. Even a bowl or dish is sufficient, though you may want a larger container to hold a group of succulents together.

• Use ceramic containers that will last as long as your succulents (possibly many years)
• Hypertufa troughs or pots are also a durable choice that will contrast the color of your succulents
• Make ½” drainage holes in your containers, and use a paper towel or coffee filter to cover the hole and prevent soil loss
• Succulents are healthier when planted in a slightly undersized pot
• Only repot your succulents when they have reached the edge of the pot and have stopped growing

Gardening Succulents in Containers: Best Soil Conditions

Succulents thrive in well-drained, poorer soil, and do not need additional fertilizer to do well.

• Succulents will suffer if there is too much organic matter in soil; for any good soilless mix, add about 25% of builder’s sand to dilute the soil
• Fill the pot so that your succulents will sit below the rim of your pot, but leave ½” of space on top to prevent water overflow
• Your succulents should be regularly watered every week or so, though newly potted plants will benefit from more frequent watering
• Allow established plants to dry out between watering, otherwise they may lose their roots