Whether you live in a highrise condo / apartment or on acreage there is a distinct advantage to growing edible plants in containers: you can place them as close to the kitchen as needs be.  There you will find them convenient and a constant reminder that your culinary skills do not have to be limited to microwavables.

Fresh food from just outside your kitchen door!  

Here are 5 essential keys to producing great food plants in containers:

  1. use new soil.  If  you grew plants the same container last year, remove the used soil and spread it in your garden.  It has value, but is nutrient poor as far as growing in containers is concerned.  If you don't have a garden give your soil to someone who does.
  2. plant compact varieties.  There are many veggie varieties that have been hybridized for use in small spaces: patio pick cucumbers, sweet one million cherry tomatoes, patio tomatoes, dwarf beans and small carrots.
  3. herbs love containers.  Most herbs, with the exception of basil, are native to the Mediterranean area where it is hot and dry most of the time.  They lend themselves to growing in a window box or patio planter very nicely for this reason.  Basil will grow well in a container but prefers it's own company.
  4. water. As the plants get dry, add water, but do not drown your food plants.  they like a short period of dryness between watering.  Many plants, like tomatoes, will tell you that they need water as the foliage droops when it is thirsty.  Herbs enjoy a longer period of dryness than most veggies.
  5. fertilize.  Do not fertilize your herbs but do fertilize hungry veggies like tomatoes and peppers with 20-20-20 every 10 days to two weeks.