Today, when the size of houses has shrunk, a major problem that arises is the shortage of garden space. But, there's good news for those who wish to grow vegetables irrespective of the space! The solution is the use of large sized containers. However, containers can be used for growing only particular varieties of vegetables. The varieties chosen should not exceed the size of the container. Usually, this information is available on the packet of seeds. There are certain varieties that cannot grow within containers. Such varieties should be avoided.

Another important point to be considered is the size of the container and its type. The bigger the size of the container the better suited it will be for growing vegetables. The minimum size of the container should be about 5 gallons. However, there are certain varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and others that require containers ranging from eight to ten gallons. The containers used can include large black "nursery" plastic pots, whiskey barrels, bushel baskets and even wood planters. The containers should have a hole at the bottom for the purpose of drainage. Otherwise the roots may begin to rot.

There is a container mix-bagged potting soil that is available especially for growing vegetables in containers. Such plants will need soil that drains well and should have a good proportion of organic matter present in it. Garden soil can be susceptible to diseases, so, its use should be avoided. In case of compost being used, temperature should be high so that the pest organisms can be killed. Fertilizers should be added to give additional nutrients.

Watering ought to be done in a proper way. Plants that grow in containers loose water faster than those that are grown in the ground. To control the water needs of plants in containers, gels and crystals have been designed to hold water. They also help to preserve the moisture in the soil for the vegetables. These are the few steps that are needed to grow vegetables in containers. Hence, don't be disappointed if you don't have enough space because you always have the option of growing vegetables in containers!