How to Grow Vegetables in a Pot

Overview

Starting a garden in the yard requires a lot of work. The grass, weeds and rocks must be cleared, and the soil needs to be tilled. A simple alternative to traditional in-ground gardening is growing vegetables in pots. Growing vegetables in a pot requires less up-front work than a traditional garden, and gives the gardener total control over the growing conditions her vegetables grow in.

Step 1

Reconstitute the peat pellets with warm water. Once they are fully engorged, slit the top of the peat pellet's netting. Pull back the netting and plant two to three seeds 1 inch deep in the center of the pellet. Water each pellet with 2 to 3 tbsp. of water every other day.

Step 2

Remove the weakest seedlings from each pellet after the seeds germinate. Leave only one strong seedling per pellet.

Step 3

Gather flower pots to prepare them for the vegetable seedlings. If the pots have been used before, wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water. This will ensure that any existing diseases or parasites will not affect your new vegetable seedlings.

Step 4

Fill each flower pot with potting mix. Use a pot that will accommodate the full-grown vegetable plant. Herbs grow in pots of any size. Carrots need pots that are 2 inches deeper than the full length carrot. Tomato plants need pots that are 20 to 22 inches deep and 16 to 18 inches in diameter. Spinach and lettuce grow well in pots that are 4 to 6 inches deep, and each head needs a diameter of approximately 8 to 10 inches to grow.

Step 5

Remove the netting from the peat pellets when the seedlings reach 2 to 4 inches in height.

Step 6

Create a well in the center of the potting mix in each flower pot. Make each well 2 inches deeper than the root ball is high. Plant each seedling into the potting mix, and refill the soil into the empty spaces around the seedling's stem and roots.

Step 7

Water each of the plants until the soil is very moist. Place the flower pots where they receive at least eight hours of sunlight and good ventilation each day.