5. Make Sure the Container is Large Enough

It is possible to choose a container that is too small for the plant you are trying to grow. Some plants become so root bound that they cannot grow properly. Herbs do very well in window boxes, while tomatoes and eggplant can be grown in 5 gallon buckets.

4. Check the Soil’s Moisture Level Often

One thing about growing plants in containers is that it can be difficult to judge how much you need to water each plant. Checking the moisture level of the soil will alert you to when you need to water each plant. It’s also very easy to overwater plants growing in 5 gallon buckets, unless you drill a drainage hole in the bottom of the bucket.

3. Have Proper Drainage

If you aren’t willing to drill a hole in the bottom of your 5 gallon buckets, then you could add about 3 to 4 inches of rock to the bottom of the bucket. This will help with drainage, but it will also make the bucket significantly heavier. Keep this weight issue in mind if you are going to be the only one around to move the plants, if needed.

2. Add Compost to Old Dirt

Using the same containers over and over again for plants causes the nutrients to be quickly depleted from the soil. Adding organic compost purchased at a garden supply store or even kitchen scraps – minus meat products – will put a lot of the nutrients back in the soil. You don’t have to wait until the plants are finished growing either. They will benefit from the added nutrients.

1. Choose Plants That You Have Proper Lighting for

If you live in an apartment building, then you might not have enough sunlight to grow sun-loving plants. Or, if you live in an area where your container garden is always in the sun, then it might be best to avoid having plants that require partial shade.

Container gardening is loads of fun. I’ve grown many plants in containers and have had lots of success with them. Potatoes are actually one of my favorite types of veggies to grow in a container. Have you tried your hand at container gardening yet? What plants did you choose to grow?

Top Photo Credit: ッ Zach Hoeken ッ