Container Gardening Basics: Pots, Soil, Plants & Light

Container gardening is rewarding, flexible, and has few rules. Here's what you need to start.

Containers

Size rule: 24-inch diameter suits most plants. Any greenhouse pot works. To convert a non-planter: drill drainage holes near the bottom (or in the bottom if elevated). Drainage is non-negotiable.

Soil

Commercial potting mixes blend peat moss, compost, bark, perlite/vermiculite (aeration + moisture retention). For herbs only, skip perlite/vermiculite. I add 2–3 inches of sand at the bottom for drainage—old-school but effective. Commercial "fillers" are lighter than sand.

Start with Herbs

Herbs thrive in containers and forgive missed watering. Rosemary is my favorite—snip sprigs, they regrow fast. Fresh herbs transform cooking. Start with one, then combine 2–3 in a pot. The savings vs. store-bought dried herbs are huge.

Next: Leaf Lettuce

Another easy, confidence-building crop.

Light Is Critical

Most vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries) and herbs like rosemary and parsley need full sun. Choose your planter location accordingly—this is the #1 factor for success.

Experiment and Enjoy

Pick a vegetable, try it. The journey is about fun and satisfaction—watching plants respond to your care is deeply rewarding.