You may not have room for a vegetable patch or time for an allotment, but many delicious varieties of salad, vegetable and fruit will thrive in containers and don't take up much space. Follow our guide if you want to grow crops on patios, balconies, windowsills and roof gardens.
What to do
Buy ready grown plants of sweet pepper, chilli pepper, cherry tomato and aubergine, strawberries and herbs or try cut salad mixes grown from seed.
Mix a handful of water-retaining crystals into your compost and fill your pot to the top. Gently tap to settle the compost and firm down with your fingertips. Leave a 2cm (1in) gap between the compost and the top of the pot for watering.
Scoop out compost in the centre to leave a hole slightly bigger than the rootball of your plant.
Gently remove plant from pot and place in hole. Replace compost around the plant and firm, making sure the surface of the plant is level with the top of the compost.
If growing from seed, check the instructions on the packet. Either raise in small pots before planting into larger ones or scatter across the surface of the compost and water in.
For larger fruit bushes such as blueberries, figs, peaches and apricots, select a larger pot and make sure you check the compost requirements on the plant label.
Time needed
10 minutes for each container
What you need
A selection of pots 20-45cm (8-17cm) diameter
Multi-purpose compost
Water-retaining crystals
Vegetable, fruit or herb plants
Watering can
Label and pencil
Watch Joe Swift sow courgette seeds to grow in pots
