Here is an idea that has been around for awhile. Use containers to grow vegetables. Container gardening for vegetables

image from Oldfarmersalmanac.com 

Another cloudy day there was fog this morning, so frost on the windshields.  Cool out but temperature high today will be 49F(9C) is getting more like spring. Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends will also have cloudy weather but their high will be 79F(26C) they talked about it being humid so that would add to the heat.  They had some good rains, but other parts of Australia had lots of rain, floods and lost property with those floods.  Stay safe.
 
Here is a quick idea for you to think about.  Grow vegetables in containers.  I have been doing a small amount of these for the last couple of years and will try to add more.   I think the watering is the hardest, as must be done every day or hot twice a day.  But the convenience of it might be in its favor.  Also, I can do it on the blacktop watering and care is easier for me.   I don’t have time to do a full-size garden, so doing it in containers can make it easier for me. 
 
A flexible, beginner-friendly vegetable garden you can grow entirely in pots written By:  Catherine Boeckmann
This Vegetable Container Garden Plan shows how you can grow a productive, flexible garden almost anywhere using pots and containers. The containers can be grouped together, spaced apart to capture sunlight, or rearranged as the season progresses. Growing vegetables doesn’t require a backyard—or even a patch of ground. This plan is perfect for patios, balconies, and small spaces.
Grow fresh vegetables almost anywhere with this beginner-friendly container vegetable garden layout plan.
The size and depth of each container determine what you can grow. Large, deep pots support fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, while smaller containers are perfect for salad greens, herbs, and quick crops

The Container Plant List
This example plant list shows a flexible mix of crops commonly grown in containers. You can swap plants based on your climate, taste, and available pot sizes.
 Plant Name  Spacings        Quantity       Sow Indoors Sow/Plant Outdoors
Blackberry    Single: 2’ 11”, In-Row: 2’ 11”, 2’ 11” row gap 5          —        April → mid May
Lavender      Single: 1’ 4”, In-Row: 1’ 2”, 1’ 2” row gap       3          Mid March → mid May    May → end of June
Mint   Single: 8”, In-Row: 6”, 10” row gap       3          —        Mid May → mid June
Nasturtium   Single: 1’ 0”, In-Row: 1’ 0”, 1’ 0” row gap       3          Mid April → mid May        Mid May
Oregano       Single: 8”, In-Row: 6”, 10” row gap       3          April → mid May    Mid May → mid June
Pumpkin       Single: 2’ 11”, In-Row: 2’ 11”, 2’ 11” row gap 2          May → mid May     Mid May → end of June
Tomato (Large)       Single: 1’ 8”, In-Row: 1’ 6”, 2’ 0” row gap       2          Mid March → mid May            Mid May → end of June
Tomato (Small)       Single: 1’ 8”, In-Row: 1’ 6”, 2’ 0” row gap       5          Mid March → mid May            Mid May → end of June
What to Grow in a Vegetable Container Garden
One of the strengths of container gardening is flexibility. You’re not locked into a fixed planting list. These crops are especially well-suited to container growing:
Salad Crops
Salad leaves can be grown in just about any pot, and because of this, there is a huge range to choose from. Leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, and other salad greens grow beautifully in containers and can be harvested repeatedly as “cut-and-come-again” crops.
Potatoes
Potatoes can be grown in just about anything, too. Dustbins and sacks are brilliant for them, as long as there are good drainage holes in the bottom. I succession plant into my pots; first the potatoes, then the tomatoes are moved from the greenhouse to the pots, and then in the fall I sow my winter salads.
Fruiting Vegetables
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash can all be grown in large containers, especially when supported with stakes or trellises.
Herbs
Basil, parsley, chives, thyme, and many other herbs grow well in pots and are easy to keep close to the kitchen.
Fruit in Containers
You can even grow fruit trees! Dwarf fruit trees grown on dwarfing rootstocks make it possible to create a mini orchard in containers, even on patios or paved areas.
This plan works because it embraces the strengths of container gardening: flexibility, portability, and control. By matching plants to appropriate container sizes, refreshing soil regularly, and using succession planting, a container garden can be just as productive as an in-ground plot—and sometimes even more so.
Growing vegetables in containers comes with many advantages:
Containers are portable and easy to move.
Containers make it easier to garden around poor or contaminated soil.
Soil can be refreshed, replaced, or reused as needed.
Plants can be moved indoors when frost threatens.
Gardening is possible on patios, balconies, rooftops, urban settings, and paved areas.
The main drawback is that containers dry out more quickly than garden beds, so regular watering is essential—especially in warm weather.
Reusing Containers Through the Seasons
One of the great strengths of container gardening is the reusability of pots. A container that held tomatoes in summer can be replanted with spinach and lettuce in the fall.
As confidence grows, many gardeners begin to experiment beyond traditional pots. Crates, tubs, sacks, and other household items can all be repurposed as planters—as long as they have good drainage holes. This flexibility allows for creative, low-cost gardening and constantly evolving layouts.
Many types of containers with vegetables growing
Container gardening opens the door to growing food in places where traditional gardens simply aren’t possible.
FAQs for Container Vegetable Garden Layout
Q: Do vegetables really grow well in containers?
A: Most do. With adequate sunlight, proper container size, and regular watering, many vegetables grow extremely well in pots.
Q: Do I need special soil for container gardening?
A: Yes. Use a high-quality potting mix designed for containers—garden soil is too heavy and drains poorly in pots.
Q: How often should container vegetables be watered?
A: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. During hot weather, some containers may need watering daily.
Q: Can containers be reused year after year?
A: Absolutely. Refresh the soil each season and clean containers before replanting.
Q: Can I garden year-round in containers?
A: In mild climates or with protection, yes. Containers can also be moved indoors or into greenhouses.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/vegetable-container-garden-plan
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse