Do you have questions about growing vegetables, herbs, or other edible plants in containers? You’re not the only one. Whether you’re starting with one pot or planning a balcony full of greens, this FAQ tackles the most common questions beginner gardeners ask when growing in containers.

Yes, absolutely. All you need is a container with drainage holes, some decent potting mix, and enough sunlight (ideally 4-6 hours a day). Balconies, patios, steps, even sunny windows and windowsills can work – you don’t need a backyard.

Lettuce, radishes, bush beans, chillies, bok choy, rocket. spring onions, and cherry tomatoes are beginner-friendly and do well in containers. Herbs like basil, chives, and parsley are also great first crops and grow quickly even in small spaces. Root crops like carrots, beetroot, and garlic do well too – just use a deep enough container.

Start with the tough ones like chives, parsley, thyme, mint, oregano, and basil. These are all great beginner herbs for containers. Chives and mint bounce back easily, even if you forget to water now and then.

Parsley and basil like regular water and feeding, but they grow fast and give you heaps of flavor. Oregano and thyme are happy in smaller pots and drier conditions. Just give them sun (4-6 hours is plenty for most), decent drainage, and a snip now and then to keep them bushy.

Bigger is usually better. Larger pots hold more soil, which means more room for roots, better moisture retention, and healthier plants. An 8-12″ (20-30cm) container 20–30 pot is a good starting point for most vegetables, as are large geofabric grow bags. As a guide:

Small herbs: 6–8″ (15-20 cm)
Leafy greens & radishes: 8-10″ (20-25 cm)
Tomatoes & eggplant: 12-16″ (30-40 cm) or bigger
Root veg (like carrots): deeper pots (10-12″ (25-30 cm))

How deep your container needs to be depends on the crop. Leafy greens and herbs are fine with 6-8″ (15–20 cm) pots, but tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes need deeper containers – around 12″ (30 cm) or more.

It depends on what you’re planting and your local climate. In most regions, spring is the main planting time, when the risk of frost has passed and the soil starts to warm up. That’s when you can start tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and most herbs.

But you don’t have to wait for spring. In autumn and winter, you can grow cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, and radishes. Because pots warm up faster than garden beds, you might even get a head start on the season. Just check your local frost dates, pick varieties suited to your current season, and time your planting around the weather.

Yes. Don’t use garden soil – it’s heavy and doesn’t drain well enough in containers. Go for a good-quality potting mix made for containers, and mix in some compost or slow-release fertilizer if needed.

Pots dry out faster than garden beds, especially in hot weather. You might need to water daily during summer. Smaller pots might even need watering twice a day during hot weather. Check the top inch of your soil with your finger. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.

That depends on your climate. In warm areas, yes, you definitely can grow something year-round. In colder regions, you might need to move your containers indoors or grow cold-hardy crops in winter, like kale or garlic.

Yes, you will need to fertilize regularly. Nutrients wash out of containers quicker than in the ground. A light liquid feed every 2-3 weeks will keep your plants happy and producing. You can also mix slow-release fertilizer into the potting mix when planting.

Most vegetables need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Fruiting crops like tomatoes, eggplants, and capsicum prefer more (6-8+ hours). If your spot only gets morning or filtered sun, stick with leafy greens and herbs which aren’t as fussy about sunlight.

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and rocket grow well with just 3-4 hours of sunlight a day. Asian greens (like tatsoi and bok choy), silverbeet, and kale can also handle partial shade. Most herbs struggle without sun, but mint, chives, parsley, and coriander will usually cope in dappled light. Fruiting vegetables (like tomatoes or capsicum) really need full sun, so skip those in shady spots. If your shade is deep and cool, stick with leafy crops and focus on soil quality and regular feeding to get the best results.

Pests happen, even in pots. The good news is that container gardens are easier to check daily and treat. First, check your plants often. If something’s chewing, sucking, or wilting, flip the leaves over and have a close look. Most pests can be picked off by hand or a spray of water.

For others, try neem oil or a homemade soap spray. Keep your containers spaced out so there’s good airflow, and don’t overfeed with nitrogen-heavy fertilizer – it can attract aphids. A few holes in the leaves won’t hurt your plant, but if it’s overrun, sometimes it’s better to pull it out and start fresh. Make sure you start with a clean slate you don’t transfer the insects to your new plant!