Started 7 min read 2026-02-10
Container Gardening 101
Pick the wrong pot and even a champion plant will sulk. Pick right and you can grow a tomato in a paint bucket. Here's everything a container beginner needs.
Size matters
Herbs: 6 inches. Leafy greens: 8 inches. Tomatoes and brinjal: 15 inches. Gourds: 20+ inches. Roots need to spread — choose wide over tall.
Drainage
Every pot needs 4-6 holes. No drainage = root rot in 10 days. Don't 'add gravel at the bottom' — that's a myth that worsens drainage.
Soil mix
Never use garden soil alone in pots — it compacts. Use 30-30-30-10 (soil/cocopeat/compost/neem cake) or buy a quality potting mix.
Watering rhythm
Containers dry faster than ground. Finger-check daily in summer. When water runs out the bottom, you've watered enough.
📌 Next steps: Try the Autonomy Simulator or browse crop guides.