Grow bag
100 × 40 cm (39 × 16 in)
Three cordon tomatoes, each up a cane.
| Crop | Plants |
|---|---|
| Tomato | 3 |
Container vegetable garden
Five containers that fit on a small patio or balcony: a grow bag, a trough and three pots. Each one is its own bed in the planner, so you can set its size and see how many plants fit.
Bed size, shape and units
Units
Shape
Plant in
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Start from a layout
The containers
Salad trough
80 × 20 cm (31 × 8 in)
Cut-and-come-again salad and a few radishes. Sow a little every couple of weeks.
| Crop | Plants |
|---|---|
| Salad leaves (salad mix) | 12 |
| Radish | 8 |
Bean pot
50 cm (20 in) across
Runner beans up a wigwam of canes.
| Crop | Plants |
|---|---|
| Runner bean | 9 |
Courgette pot
60 cm (24 in) across
One courgette fills a pot this size.
| Crop | Plants |
|---|---|
| Courgette (zucchini) | 1 |
Herb pot
40 cm (16 in) across
Parsley, chives and thyme by the door, for picking as you cook.
Looking after containers
- Go big. Larger containers hold more water, so they need watering less often.
- Check them daily. Pots dry out fast in summer. Water every day in warm weather, and twice when it's hot.
- Let them drain. Every container needs drainage holes. Stand pots on pot feet so water can run away.
- Feed fruiting crops. Give tomatoes, peppers and courgettes a liquid feed every week once they flower.
Questions
What vegetables grow best in containers?
Tomatoes, chillies, peppers, dwarf French beans, salad leaves, radishes, herbs and strawberries all do well. Sweetcorn, parsnips and Brussels sprouts need more room than a pot gives.
How deep should a container be for vegetables?
At least 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) for salads and herbs, and 30 cm (12 in) or more for tomatoes, beans and courgettes.
Save your container garden in VegLog
VegLog keeps every bed you plan, tells you what to sow each week for your frost dates, and keeps a record of your harvests. Free for your first growing space.
