Best Containers to Grow Vegetables

The best containers to grow vegetables in are those that are porous. Porous containers suitable for growing vegetables tend to be either: hardwood, clay, plastic, metal, ceramic or some other absorbent substance. These materials are naturally porous and therefore absorbents. They are not that great at drying out, but then again they can’t be that good at keeping the soil damp either. So they really just work best for attracting moisture.

Plastic Containers

Plastic pots are easy to clean, durable, but not as good at soaking up moisture as porous materials. Also plastic loses its absorbent properties over time, so plastic pots are better used for retaining soil moisture rather than retaining water. Because they absorb so little water they tend to have very fast draining roots. They are not that good at holding onto moisture either. I would stay away from plastic pots for home grown plants.

Glass Containers

Glass is pretty good at absorbing moisture, but it tends to be too shiny for good drainage. Because it is opaque, you can’t see through the glass to see what’s going on in the container. But it is clear and that allows you to easily look inside to decide what your plants need. This is one of the best containers to grow vegetable varieties in because you can observe your plants.

Wooden Containers

Wood is porous, which allows moisture to go right down into the soil. And because wood is such a durable material it holds up well to repeated use. Wood is the material of choice for many gardeners for containers to grow vegetables in. It tends to get dirty and grimy after time though, especially if there are a lot of vegetable varieties growing. If you clean it regularly though, it’s fairly easy to keep it looking great.

Clay or Terra Cotta Pots

For container gardening beginners, a good pot is a simple clay pot or a Terra cotta pot. These work well for most plants and they can be bought relatively inexpensively. There are also lots of inexpensive plans available to help people set up their own garden in pots. Of course, for the more serious gardener there are plenty of books with complete grow vegetable instructions. You can also find plenty of free information online. Just do a quick search and you’ll find a lot of information on which are the best containers to grow vegetables in.

Watering the Vegetable Plants

One of the most important things to know if you want to be able to grow healthy plants is watering. Some plants need more water than others, so it’s important to find the right kind of containers to grow your vegetables in. If you’ve never grown anything in pots before, it’s probably a good idea to start off with some sort of starter pot, as this will make it easier to learn how to water your new plants and keep them healthy. Once you know how to water your plants properly, you can move onto bigger pots that can support more weight.

Soil for Growing Vegetables

Finally, when you’re buying containers to grow vegetables in, remember to take your soil with you. Most people assume that they can just pick up any old pot and throw it in the back of their truck. But it’s not always going to be the best soil, and sometimes you may end up ruining your plants by not taking the soil along with you. Be sure to check with the retailer or the manufacturer if they offer soil when you buy containers. This way you’ll be able to get a good amount of soil to plant your seeds in and make sure that they have everything they need to grow.

Deciding the Containers for Vegetables

So, which are the best pots to grow vegetables in? The answer really depends on what type of plant you’re trying to grow, and also where you want them to grow. In general, most people do well with glass containers. Metal and plastic are both good choices for some plants, but some tomato varieties will do better in clay pots. Clay pots also work well for keeping aphids and other pests out.