Are you growing vegetables in containers? Are your plants looking tired, old, or dead? Here are some tips to help you out, if you’re new to container gardening or have had less than successful success.

Even in dry climates, container gardening can be a way to prevent sharing the crop with pesky rodents, deer, and woodchips. It can also prevent you from having to water every day by only putting in the amount of water needed for a short period of time each day. Keep the soil damp but not soggy. If you put in too much water, it will dry out too quickly and the nutrients won’t stay where they belong. You may want to purchase a sprinkler system that will give the watering a longer hose so the vegetables get an even better chance of staying nourished.

Sunlight is essential for most vegetables. Try to keep at least four hours of sunlight available for all four seasons. But there are certain times of the day when more sunlight is best. It’s best to plant tomatoes and squash during the morning, afternoon, and nighttime when the sun is at its strongest. The sunshine will help your plants stay healthy and strong as well as brighten up your kitchen.

When you plant your bulbs, they need at least six hours of sunlight per day. Some varieties of beans and zucchini do better in partial shade. But if you have an area that gets more sun than other areas around it, give those plants a good tilth. A raised bed is the least shade-bearing of all garden structure. Lettuces and green beans love a raised bed because they can lie on the top so they get most of the sun they need. But be sure to mulch them in with the greens.

Good soil will hold more water and nutrients, but it also needs proper drainage. Containers should have well drained soil with no loose gravel or sand. This allows the roots to properly drain and get the water and nutrients they need. However, if you have a container garden and the soil is too dry, excess water and nutrients can collect in the lower portions where the plants grow. These extra water and nutrients can lead to root rot and other diseases.

Before you begin planting, make sure you have the correct container size. Make sure you measure your bench or table top to determine the correct container size. If you’re using plastic pots, only measure water and nutrient levels. If you’re using stone or ceramic containers, you must determine the correct pot size based on the volume of water used.

One popular choice for container gardens is using trellis system. Trellis system pots are inexpensive, easy to set up, provide good drainage, and provide good plant coverage. If you choose to use this method, place the trellis in the sun to help them grow green. As the plants begin to mature, the leaves on the trellis will wilt and turn brown. The plants on the bottom will continue to grow, but the leaves on the top will drop as the plants on the bottom begin to mature.

When you’re ready to harvest your seeds, you can simply pull the “pot” from the outdoors. Harvesting can be quick if you carefully prune any dead or dying plants. But, if you want to collect lots of seeds, I recommend pruning the plants at least 2 weeks before you plan to plant.

One concern that many people have when choosing container vegetable seeds is whether or not they will germinate. To determine what grows best in your area, check with a local nursery. They will be able to tell you exactly which varieties will work in your area. Typically, African Violets, Brassica, Begonias, and bulbs work best in warm, sunny areas. Mediterranean and cool-season annuals like Fennel, Parsley, Sage, and Summer savory work well too. Some experts will even tell you that you can buy seeds from a plant nursery and plant the variety in your yard instead of the container.

Another important consideration when choosing the plants you want to start growing vegetables in containers is if you’re going to self-water them. Self-watering plants are better because they’re not subject to drips from the container rim or soil. Many gardeners enjoy growing vegetables in pots because the plants get to experience all the benefits of container gardening without the frustration. Plants in pots will also be less likely to succumb to disease because they aren’t being constantly moved around.

Growing vegetables in containers has many advantages. Not only can you place just about any variety of vegetable in a pot, but you can move the plants as needed. They can be part of a multi-plant planter or planted on their own. Good companions to the native plants you’ll be growing in your yard, along with your regular annuals and perennials, are compact varieties.