How To Grow Vegetables In Pots

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Would you love to grow some vegetables, flowers or fruit  but just don’t have the space time of budget to garden in a plot?

Some people have a garden so large they can have a full sized allotment plot in. Others have access to a tiny balcony. 

Don’t worry you can grow what you need in a small space by growing vegetables in pots. Check out more small space gardening tips here.

For beginner’s, growing in containers can be alot easier than growing in a large plot that needs constant attention and weeding and containers can be moved around to get as much of the best sunshine and shelter possible. 

Even if you have a vegetable garden, a few more pots can always be squeezed in. 

SO HERE’S OUR TIPS FOR GROWING VEGETABLES IN POTS

Here’s our reasons that growing vegetables in pots is the way to go.

LOCATION

The mobility of containers is a big reason to grow in pots. 

Pots can be more into the perfect location to maximum sunshine, sheltered area or closer to water taps. 

Whatever the plants you want to grow, they will have very specific needs. Growing in a patch of soil makes it difficult to give each plant its individual needs so growing in a pot means you can adapt everything to that particular plant. 

Some plants like pumpkins and tomatoes need very rich soil in full sun where lettuce and courgettes prefer a slightly cooler area, so learn a bit about the plants you’re growing  and it will help you know where to place them. 

• Try pumpkins in a hot area

• Grow sunflowers in the sun

• Kohlrabi can be grown in a pot in the shade

• Sweet peas bring a stunning scent and pollinators to a plot.

• Or try patio fruit perfect for pots.

USE A GOOD SIZED CONTAINER -When Vegetable Growing In Pots

Plants also like various depths of soil  so it’s important to provide a container that can accommodate each individual plant’s needs.

Help your plants to grow well by providing a pot that’s big enough for the roots and leaves of the plants you want to grow and they will have plenty of moisture, food and space.

If your struggling to find space to grow check out these small space gardening tips 

There’s no excuse, you CAN finding time, money or space to garden AND it is super simple and we explain how and why here 

CHECKING YOUR SOIL

The single most important thing you need to grow healthy plants is good soil. 

In containers, you need rich nutritious soil to support your plants. It needs to be able to hold water for all your plants of need. 

Garden soil can be thin, sandy, and empty of nutrients with all sorts of stones, metals, weed seeds and bug life so it may not be the best you can use in your pots.

Instead, use a good quality multipurpose compost that has a good level of fertility and organic matter that can hold water and break down to feed plants.

Alternatively, you can make your own compost which is by far the most nutrient rich option.

Try making your own compost with these tips to help you. A wonderful way to teach kids about compost is to try this compost in a bottle experiment with your kids.

DRAINAGE For Growing Vegetables In Pots

Choosing the right soil for your pot is important but making sure it drains well is also a must.

Ensure good drainage in any of your chosen containers by making sure you make holes in the bottom. 

In large pots of soil, make sure you cover the holes with broken shards of pots. This helps heavy wet soil in the pot to drain well through the pots.

You could also use some grit or vermiculite to mix through your soil which helps it drain easier.

If you’re finding it expensive to fill all your containers with bought in compost, you can use some good garden soil in the base of your pot then put the compost on the top. 

Find other ways to save money in the garden here

This gives weight and bulk to your pot but stops any weeds seeds, rocks etc from invading the top layer of compost, allowing you to save money, grow deep rooting vegetables and keep your plants healthy.

FEED YOUR VEGETABLES IN POTS

If you have provided a great location, good soil and adequate drainage for your plants, they should thrive for the first 4 weeks. The multipurpose soil should contain enough nutrients to get your plant growing strongly. After around 4 weeks though, the plant will have used up that nutrient base and be looking for more.

So what do you feed your vegetable plants In pots?

There are many types of fertilizers both organic and inorganic. Both contain a mix of essential nutrients for your plants. There are 3 main types

Plants need all 3 of these types of fertilizers but in varying amounts. The 3 types are;

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Nitrogen is the nutrient that is responsible for growth. This ingredient is useful to give to your plants when they are putting on lots of healthy leafy growth. Brassicas, and lettuce are examples of plants that need a high nitrogen food.

You can provide a high nitrogen feed to your soil by using poultry manure.or composted manure. A grass clipping mulch is an easy addition around your plants.

Phosphate Fertilizers

Phosphorous is a nutrient that plants need for good root growth and fruiting. All plants need their roots so they can grow super strong. Give a high amount of this to plants you eat the flowers, seeds or fruit from. Plants like pumpkins, tomatoes, peas, or broccoli benefit from a good phosphorus diet.

We don’t buy plant food usually as we do our best to make our own. We grow comfrey plants and nettles which have deep roots that pull up nutrients from the soil and store it in their leaves. 

By harvesting the leaves, chopping them up and mixing them with water we make a fertilizer soup. Leave it for 4 to 6 weeks to develop an evil smell(trust me on that) then it’s ready to dilute to the colour of weak tea and water on your plants.

Seaweed fertilizer is also a good source.

Potassium Fertilizers

Potassium helps plants to grow deeper and stronger roots. It can also help protect your plants from harm when they are deprived of other nutrients.

This nutrient is vital for photosynthesis and helps to protect plants from damage and attack from plant diseases that may latch onto your plants. It has the ability to slow down any diseases that may infect your garden.

If you see yellowing or browning on the edges of leaves you may be dealing with a potassium deficiency. 

Egg shells, bone meal and banana peels are fab sources of potassium.

Fertilizer Types For Vegetables In Pots

Fertilizer comes in a few different forms. There is liquid, powder, and granular. 

Liquid fertilizers are often diluted with water. Just water onto the soil or the leaves and the plants drink them up.

Powdered And Granular Fertilizers

Usually they are spread by hand and watered in to dilute the nutrients into the soil. This type of fertilizer helps to give prolonged feeding as the granules break down over a long period of time.

WHAT CAN I GROW- VEGETABLES IN POTS?

Here are 12 easy to grow plants you can grow with kids, as they are super easy for beginners.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes do well in pots. Try either upright tomatoes in a large pot surrounded with smaller vegetables like lettuce, carrots, chives, basil, or even marigolds

Growing bush tomatoes can also be done in a smaller pot or hanging basket.

Courgette 

Courgettes grow large and you probably only need 1 in each pot. Here’s how to grow them.

Cucumber 

Cucumbers grow well in pots. If given plenty of water. They need to climb so give them a fence or something to clamber up.

Beans

Set up a tripod of sticks or bamboo canes in the pot around 5cm apart. I try to 

Potatoes 

Growing first earlies in a large pot can be super successful.

 Put 2 to 3 potatoes spaced around the pot half way down. 

As the leaves grow continue to fill the pot with soil and cover the potato leaves till you reach the top of the pot. 

Here’s how to grow them

Carrots

Sow seeds directly to the pot. Try to aim for 5cm intervals. Carrots can be easy so check out how to get them growing here.

Peas

As with beans, In a 18″ pot I try to place 8 pea plants around in a circle with bamboo canes or another support.

Herbs

Growing herbs is simple, start with 4 or 5 types, however be prepared to divide and conquer if some take over others.

Radishes

These are quick and easy to grow. Simply sow thinly over the surface of the pot. In 4 to 6 weeks you will have crunch roots.

Lettuce

You can sow these seeds thinly over the soil and pull individual leaves as you need to cut a bunch. Or sow 6 divided around the pot and pick whole lettuce heads when ready. 

Learn how to grow lettuce here

So, There you go. Plenty of tips and advice on growing vegetables in containers. Whether you grow in a pot on the patio or you’re adding a few pots to your plot.

Grow in whatever way works for you. The point is to just start growing your own food. Watch out, it’s addictive!