Before you begin container gardening, you must choose the right container(s) for your needs. First, decide whether or not you’d like to grow your garden indoors or outdoors. If you’d like to plant your garden indoors, choose a counter-friendly planter like this Bamboo Hydro Planter that doesn’t even require soil. If you’d prefer to plant your container garden outdoors, invest in a rugged container that will endure the elements, like this Galvanized Metal Planter made of weather-and-pest-resistant galvanized steel.

Another container option to consider is a high-quality mesh grow bag that will work both indoors and outdoors.

Whatever you choose, make sure your container is the right size and material to meet your desires and needs.

Now that you’ve selected the container for your garden, it’s time to plan out what you’re going to plant in it.

If you’re going to grow flowers, the general rule of thumb is to bring together three categories of plants: thrillers (your showstoppers), fillers (your ‘old faithfuls’ that will take up space), and spillers (your finishing touch, not unlike icing on a cake).

If you’re going to grow vegetables, start by making a list of the different kinds of vegetables you’d like to grow. Many vegetables thrive in containers, so you’ll have plenty of options—from tomatoes to peppers, eggplants to beans, radishes to carrots. Invest in high-quality heirloom seeds and make note of the planting instructions on the back. Then, organize the seeds by sowing time in a seed organizer, so you’ll be ready to garden as soon as direct-sow season starts.

Now that your container garden is planted, you are ready for the real work of gardening: tending to your plants. It is most important, of course, to make sure your plants are receiving adequate irrigation.

Here, you have two options: You can invest in traditional terracotta hydrators that will essentially ‘self-water’ your garden, or you can manually water your garden by using a watering can or hose.

Another important aspect to tending your container garden is to prune it as necessary. ‘Deadhead’ flowers and other plants as necessary, using ultra-sharp handheld pruners for maximum ease of use and controllability.

You may also notice that some of your plants need support. Invest in soft, high-quality garden ties to train your beans, peas and tomatoes, or simply to give your heavier-headed flowers some much-needed support without damaging their stems. Similarly, jute twine can help to tie young plants to stakes or other structural supports without damaging the plants in the process

Before you begin container gardening, you must choose the right container(s)for your needs. First, decide whether or not you’d like to grow your garden indoors or outdoors. If you’d like to plant your garden indoors, choose a counter-friendly planter like this Bamboo Hydro Planter that doesn’t even require soil. If you’d prefer to plant your container garden outdoors, invest in a rugged container that will endure the elements, like this Galvanized Metal Planter made of weather-and-pest-resistant galvanized steel.

Another container option to consider is a high-quality mesh grow bag that will work both indoors and outdoors.

Whatever you choose, make sure your container is the right size and material to meet your desires and needs.

Now that you’ve selected the container for your garden, it’s time to plan out what you’re going to plant in it.

If you’re going to grow flowers, the general rule of thumb is to bring together three categories of plants: thrillers (your showstoppers), fillers (your ‘old faithfuls’ that will take up space), and spillers (your finishing touch, not unlike icing on a cake).

If you’re going to grow vegetables, start by making a list of the different kinds of vegetables you’d like to grow. Many vegetables thrive in containers, so you’ll have plenty of options—from tomatoes to peppers, eggplantsto beans, radishes to carrots. Invest in high-quality heirloom seeds and make note of the planting instructions on the back. Then, organize the seeds by sowing time in a seed organizer, so you’ll be ready to garden as soon as direct-sow season starts.

Now that your container garden is planted, you are ready for the real work of gardening: tending to your plants. It is most important, of course, to make sure your plants are receiving adequate irrigation.

Here, you have two options: You can invest in traditional terracotta hydrators that will essentially ‘self-water’ your garden, or you can manually water your garden by using a watering can or hose.

Another important aspect to tending your container garden is to prune it as necessary. ‘Deadhead’ flowers and other plants as necessary, using ultra-sharp handheld pruners for maximum ease of use and controllability.

You may also notice that some of your plants need support. Invest in soft, high-quality garden ties to train your beans, peas and tomatoes, or simply to give your heavier-headed flowers some much-needed support without damaging their stems. Similarly, jute twine can help to tie young plants to stakes or other structural supports without damaging the plants in the process