We've all heard the benefits of growing our own food, but unless you live where you have a lot of dirt, maybe you don't think you can grow a garden. Do you want to have a garden, but just don't see how you can, given your circumstances? Are you curious about container gardening? Potting your plants in containers can be a terrific way to have a garden. Let's take a look.

Why Grow A Garden In Containers?

There are many reasons that container gardening can be a good idea. For those who have limited space, or no garden plot, a garden planted in pots can be the perfect answer. Pots can fit up on a balcony or on a patio. They are very portable – and easy to move if the need arises.

Because they are so portable, garden plants in pots can be grown out of season – some gardeners even bring the containers inside before the frost season is over in order to get an early start on their vegetables. They can begin their vegetables' growing season indoors, as if they are houseplants. Plants that begin as seeds are prime candidates for this extended growing season because of their smaller pot needs.

Also, containers are easier to fill with good garden soil that is less likely to have weeds – a wonderful benefit all by itself!

Which Plants Do Well In Containers?

One of the best garden plants for pots are tomatoes. You can put a single pot on your patio or balcony, or you can line the wall with a dozen pots. The more pots of tomato plants in your garden, the more of a harvest you will have, but even one plant will usually give you several fresh, flavorful tomatoes for a sandwich or salad. Try planting one tomato plant in each five gallon pot., and put a stake in there to tie the plant to as it grows.

Other plants that do well growing in pots are garden plants that start as seeds. Some of these are peppers, eggplant, radishes, parsley, beans, and green onions. Some of these grow low to the ground, like green onions and radishes, others benefit from having a stake to climb, like beans.

Plants that tend to wander can grow very well in a container, as you can stake them to grow upwards instead of outward. Cucumbers and squash grow this way, and can either be staked up or allowed to venture past the pot and into the garden or patio.