Potted Plants

If you don't have a yard and windowsill gardening doesn't provide enough space, consider potted plants. Pots can be placed on balconies and patios, and many dwarf varieties of fruits and vegetables will grow well in them. Make sure the pots you use have holes for drainage on the bottom. You may need to bring your plants inside during the winter if they aren't cold hearty, so don't get pots that will be too heavy to move once filled. You should also consider starting a compost for your potted plants (see Compost section of Backyard Gardening).

It may be best to avoid clay pots, which can dry out quickly and are susceptible to frost damage. Plastic pots are cheap and effective, but not very sightly. Wooden containers look nice and are insulating but will eventually rot away. Concrete pots are durable and provide good insulation for the roots. You can also find fabric pots that are light weight and provide excellent aeration.

The soil in pots will need to be replaced annually. You should also consider what kind of soil you need based on what you're growing. For example, blueberries like acidic soil. To make your soil more acidic, add peat moss or elemental sulfur.