Gardening: Produce in a pot
Winter 2025 California Bountiful magazine
Anybody with a green thumb can grow vegetables in proper containers
Story by Pat Rubin
No room for an in-the-ground vegetable garden? No worries. All the usual vegetable plants can be grown in containers, and they taste just as great as those grown the traditional way.
In fact, for years my vegetable garden consisted of three old horse troughs on the back deck. The garden was cozy and very productive.
But there are a few caveats to consider before diving into a potted vegetable garden.
First, choose containers wisely. The bigger the pot, the better. Soil can get hot in containers, so a pot that holds more soil will protect roots from overheating. In addition, larger pots need less frequent watering. Choose whatever works for you: plastic, terra-cotta, metal troughs, half wine barrels or wheelbarrows.
Pick containers that can fit several plants when possible. Put a coffee filter—not gravel or rocks—over the drainage holes to prevent soil from washing out with the water.
Second, vegetables need plenty of sun, up to six or eight hours each day. Morning sun is best. If you need to have the garden in the afternoon sun, protect the plants, especially when they are young. Even a piece of newspaper or a bit of shade cloth will work.
Third, buy a mix designed for raised beds or containers. Add compost or chicken manure to it. Mix well. Fill the container to a couple of inches from the top. Water it a few times before planting anything so the soil settles. Add more soil if necessary.
Fourth, potted plants need watering more thoroughly and more often than those in the ground. Water plants gently until water comes out the bottom, and then water them again. Water at the same time each day. Nutrients get washed out the drainage holes each time you water, so use a time-release fertilizer mixed into the soil.
Fifth, choose varieties of vegetables developed for container gardening. This really helps with plants such as squash that can take up a lot of real estate. But you don’t have to rely solely on container-friendly varieties.
Sixth, plant intensively. Don’t leave bare ground exposed. You can’t afford to waste space when you have so little.
Lastly, plant what you love.
Pros of a potted vegetable garden
- Doesn’t require a lot of room
- Easy to water
- Few weeds
- Easy to add a nutrient-rich soil
- Easy to harvest crops
Cons of a potted vegetable garden
- Pots, especially small ones, can dry out quickly
- Must be watered regularly, twice a day, in really hot weather
- Need to fertilize regularly
- Soil can get very hot
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