No matter how big or small your space is, growing vegetables from the comfort of your own home can be easy and fun, as long as you have the proper knowledge and tools.
Learning what size pot you need is the first step on the road to success.
Before long, even beginner gardeners will start to see healthy, beautiful plants that yield unique fruits and vegetables. Healthy organic vegetables will become a part of every meal.
Delicious smaller vegetables like green onion and various herbs only need little space to grow. However, if you’re interested in growing larger vegetables, you’ll need bigger containers so that your plants can stretch out a bit.
Throughout this article, we will provide you with all the key information about growing vegetables in pots. Here are the topics we will cover:
- Recommended depth for vegetable pots
- The recommended size for vegetable pots
- Best containers to grow vegetables in
- The best type of soil to grow vegetables in containers
Keep reading if you want to learn more about successfully growing vegetables in pots! This guide for beginners will illustrate this art and ensure your veggies have ample room to flourish.
How Deep Should a Pot for Vegetables Be?
The answer to this question depends mainly on what type of vegetable you want to grow. Generally speaking, vegetables anywhere from six inches to one foot of space develop a sound root system.
If you’re growing larger vegetables, the pot needs to be a little bit deeper. You can go with six to eight inches for herbs and smaller plants, like green onions.
If you’re growing several different types of vegetables, it helps to have a size chart handy to know what size vegetable container you need. A size chart in inches is the most useful in this case. When in doubt, get a bigger container for your vegetables or herbs.
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining any kind of small garden is making sure that the containers you have your vegetables in have drainage holes. That way, the root system never gets too overwhelmed by water.
What Size Planter Do I Need?
Although the depth of your pot is undoubtedly one big piece of the puzzle, you will also need to figure out how big you want your planter to be in general. The larger the vegetable is, including its root system, the bigger your pot needs to be.
Generally speaking, you’ll need planters that are a few gallons big to grow vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, and most medium-sized peppers. However, if you’re growing cherry tomatoes or leafy greens like chard, you can get away with a one to a two-gallon planter.
What Container Is Best to Grow Vegetables In?
The type of container matters a lot less than its size and whether or not it has drainage holes. Beyond that, you can choose your perfect container based on aesthetics and your personal preference.
First, you need to visit a brick-and-mortar store or order your container online. After that, it’s totally up to you. There are excellent cheap containers to grow vegetables that won’t cost you too much but are the perfect size plant container for what you need.
There are countless options available, but these are some of the most popular ones.
- Plastic containers
- Traditional stone planters
- Self-watering planters
- Grow bags
- Raised outdoor beds
The right option for you will depend mainly on how much space you have and how many different varieties of vegetables you’re growing.
If you’re growing multiple vegetables in the same planter or pot, make sure you get one large enough to accommodate the biggest vegetable or herb.
Small plants will do just fine in larger pots, but larger plants without enough room to stretch out their root systems can suffer in too-small spaces.
What Vegetables Can You Grow in 3-gallon Pots?
Three-gallon pots give you many options when it comes to different types of vegetables. The beauty of using a bigger pot is you can always grow more miniature vegetables in them as well, so they are super versatile.
For example, you can grow virtually any type of pepper in these pots and even certain types of peppers in smaller one-gallon pots. You can also grow green onions in three-gallon pots.
If you want to grow peas, larger peppers, or yellow onions successfully, you’ll need a five-gallon pot. This is because these plants tend to have more complex root systems and need more space to flourish.
It’s important not to overcrowd your planters. It’s far better to buy more pots rather than try to stuff plants into too-small or overcrowded ones. You will not get the vegetable yield you want and wind up wasting time and money.
What Vegetables Can I Grow in a 10-inch Pot?
You can grow several different types of herbs and smaller vegetables in these size pots, as well as ornamental and edible flowers.
One of the most significant benefits of using a 10-inch pot is that your small vegetable garden will fit perfectly in just about any space, making it great for apartment dwellers.
If you’re new to growing vegetables, try herbs that grow quickly, like parsley or green onions.
What Vegetables Can I Grow in a 12-inch Pot?
If you can move up just a little bit in your pot size, you’ll find that you can grow a bunch of different vegetables and fruits in 12-inch pots.
For example, cherry tomatoes do well in these containers, as do kale and even smaller varieties of eggplant. You might be able to grow a few different types of peppers in smaller containers as well, although if they start to look a little bit cramped, you should move them to bigger ones.
Small fruits are also ideal for these size pots: strawberries, lemons, blueberries, and figs are perfect for 12-inch pots.
What Can You Grow in 6-inch Pots?
If you’re working with six-inch pots, your choices will be a lot more limited. However, you can definitely plant some smaller edible flowers or hearty decorative ones like marigolds in such pots.
What to Grow in 1-gallon Pots?
There are several different types of amazing vegetables that you can grow in one-gallon pots. Green beans, lettuce, swiss chard, and spinach do very well in these containers.
Plus, you can grow multiple ones in the same container depending on the vegetable. When in doubt, plant fewer vegetables.
What Kind of Soil Is Best for Growing Vegetables in Containers?
To have a successful garden, you’ll want to start with a potting mix. These mixes have all of the nutrients your plants will need to thrive. The best potting mixes promote healthy root growth and distribute nutrients throughout the soil.
If you have any questions about what combination is best for you and your plants, don’t be afraid to ask them at your local gardening store.
Having the appropriate soil is the first important step to ensuring that your plants thrive in the long run, as it sets them off on the right path from the beginning.
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