Container Gardening for Beginners
Container Gardening for Beginners: A Patio Garden That Lasts
Some links on this page are affiliate links, marked as such. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Read the disclosure.
Most first-time container gardens fail for the same few reasons: bad drainage, wrong soil, too little sun, and uneven watering. Get those right and herbs, tomatoes, and lettuce are very forgiving. Some details, like planting dates, depend on your USDA hardiness zone, so check your zone and your local last frost date.
Only use pots with drainage holes
Roots sitting in water will rot. Drainage holes let extra water out, and they are the most important feature of any pot.
If you love a pot with no holes, use it as a decorative outer cover. Keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot with holes, and set it inside. Lift it out to water and let it drain before putting it back.
Pick sizes by plant:
| Plant | Minimum pot size |
|---|---|
| Herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme | 8 to 10 inches wide |
| Lettuce and greens | 6 to 8 inches deep, wide window box |
| Peppers | 12 inches wide (3 to 5 gallons) |
| Tomatoes | 5 gallons or larger (14 to 18 inches wide) |
Bigger pots hold moisture longer and need less watering. Avoid putting rocks or gravel at the bottom. It does not improve drainage and takes up root space.
Potting mix, never garden soil
Soil from the yard packs down in a pot, drains poorly, and may carry weeds or pests. Use a bagged potting mix labeled for containers. It is lighter and holds air and moisture.
What to look for:
- "Potting mix" or "container mix" on the label
- Ingredients such as peat moss or coconut coir, perlite, and compost
- A mix with slow-release fertilizer if you want a head start
Fill the pot to about 1 inch below the rim, so water does not run over the edge. Wet the mix before planting by adding water and stirring until it feels like a wrung-out sponge.
A 5-gallon pot takes roughly two thirds of a cubic foot of mix, and a 12-inch pot a bit less. Check the bag's volume before you buy.
Refresh the top few inches each spring, and replace all the mix every year or two, especially after tomatoes.
Six hours of sun for herbs and tomatoes
Most herbs and vegetables that fruit need at least six hours of direct sun each day. Tomatoes and peppers do best with eight.
To find your sunny spot:
- Check the spot at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.
- Count the hours the pot is in full sun, without shade from buildings or trees.
- Move pots if needed. One of the benefits of containers is that you can.
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale are happier with 3 to 4 hours of sun and tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hot summers.
How your zone matters: in the hottest regions, afternoon shade can protect plants in July and August. In cooler zones, use every hour of sun you can find.
Wait to move tender plants like tomatoes, peppers, and basil outside until nights stay above about 50°F and the frost danger is past in your area. Your local extension service can give you the date.
Water when the top inch is dry
The finger test beats a schedule. Push your finger into the mix up to the first knuckle, about an inch. If it feels dry, water. If it feels damp, wait.
How to water well:
- Pour slowly at the base until water runs out of the bottom holes.
- Water in the morning, so leaves dry during the day.
- Aim at the soil, not the leaves.
- Empty saucers after 30 minutes so roots do not sit in water.
In summer heat, small pots may need water every day, and big pots every two to three days. Wind and full sun dry pots faster. Cooler or cloudy weeks need less.
Lift a pot after watering to feel how heavy it is, then lift it again when you think it needs water. The difference teaches you quickly.
If the mix pulls away from the pot edge and water runs straight through, soak the pot in a tub of water for 20 to 30 minutes.
Feed every two weeks in summer
Nutrients wash out of pots with every watering. During the growing season, plants need regular food.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 type, or one made for vegetables or tomatoes. Follow the label directions for the dose. Mix it with water and apply to damp soil, which avoids burning roots. More is not better, and too much can harm plants.
A simple routine:
- Start two to four weeks after planting.
- Feed every two weeks while plants grow and produce.
- Stop in late summer when growth slows, and check the label.
If your potting mix already has slow-release fertilizer, follow the package for when to start liquid feeding.
Herbs like basil can be fed a little less often, since heavy feeding can lower their flavor. Leafy greens like a bit more nitrogen. Watch the plants: pale, yellowing leaves may mean they need food, while very dark growth with few flowers can mean too much.
What you'll need
- Pots with drainage holes, sized for each plant
- Saucers or a tray to protect the patio
- Bagged potting mix
- Small trowel or hand scoop
- Watering can with a gentle spout
- Liquid fertilizer for vegetables and herbs
- Starter plants or seeds
- Plant labels and a marker
- Stakes or a tomato cage for tall plants
- Pot feet or bricks to lift pots
Common mistakes
- Using pots without drainage and overwatering.
- Filling pots with yard soil.
- Putting sun-loving plants in a shady corner.
- Watering on a fixed schedule instead of checking the soil.
- Skipping fertilizer, or using too much.
Quick answers
What can beginners grow in containers?
Basil, parsley, chives, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and bush beans are easy starters. Choose compact or "patio" varieties for small pots.
How often should I water container plants?
Check daily and water when the top inch of mix is dry. In hot summer weather, that can mean once a day for small pots.
How big should a pot be for a tomato?
Use a pot that holds at least 5 gallons, about 14 to 18 inches wide. Larger pots dry out more slowly and support stronger roots.