Your guide to container gardening in Virginia

Virginians can learn how to grow vegetables in small spaces with container gardening. Discover tips for choosing the right containers, soil, and plants for successful home gardening in limited areas.

Container gardening is a versatile and accessible way to grow plants in pots, planters, baskets, or other containers instead of directly in the ground. Even though Virginia offers a great climate for many ground-based plants, some may find that container gardening is ideally suited for those with limited space, like apartments and small backyards. 

Whatever the reason someone may choose to go with container gardening, there are some important considerations to keep in mind, like soil quality, water levels, and plant placement. Here’s your guide to planting flowers, vegetables, herbs, and native species in a controlled environment.

What you need for container gardening

• Containers: Plant Virginia Natives, a collaborative effort aimed at increasing native plants in the commonwealth, recommends choosing thick, glazed ceramic or plastic containers to withstand Virginia’s winter freezes and summer heat. Avoid clay pots, as they are more prone to cracking in colder temperatures.
• Soil: Use a high-quality potting mix that retains moisture while providing proper drainage.
• Watering System: While container plants need frequent watering in summer, they also require occasional watering during the winter to prevent roots from drying out, as noted by The Great Big Greenhouse & Meadows Farms Nurseries, a Richmond-based business.
• Fertilizer: Avoid fertilizing in winter, as most plants enter a dormant state. During the growing season, use a balanced fertilizer as needed.
• Placement: Place containers in locations that receive the necessary amount of sunlight for the plants you are growing.

This Christmas cactus has been successfully blooming each year since 2016. (Aila Boyd)

What to plant in Virginia’s container gardens

Virginia’s climate supports a wide range of plants suitable for container gardening. Native plants are particularly beneficial as they are adapted to the region’s conditions and provide essential support for local pollinators. Plant Virginia Natives suggests the following options:

Full sun plants (patios, decks, and balconies)

• Perennials: Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly-weed, Threadleaf Coreopsis, Eastern Swamp Rose Mallow, and Cardinal Flower.
• Grasses: Little Bluestem and Bottlebrush Grass.
• Vines: Coral Honeysuckle and Yellow Passionflower.
• Shrubs: Sweetspire and Pepperbush.

An ant traveling along a coral honeysuckle. (BlueRidgeKitties/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Shade plants (alleys, patios, and balconies with limited sunlight)

• Perennials: Canadian Wild Columbine, Wild Ginger, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Virginia Spring Beauty, Woodland Phlox.
• Ferns: Northern Maidenhair, Wood Fern, and Christmas Fern.
• Grasses and sedges: Pennsylvania Sedge.
• Shrubs: Wild Hydrangea.

A Jack-in-the-pulpit flower. (Judith Bourque/CC BY-SA 2.0)

When to plant

• Spring (March-May): Ideal for starting most flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Plant Virginia Natives recommends planting native perennials like Swamp Milkweed and Butterfly-weed in spring to establish strong roots.
• Summer (June-August): Continue planting heat-tolerant species such as Little Bluestem grass and Coral Honeysuckle. Ensure frequent watering due to high temperatures.
• Fall (September-November): Plant native shrubs and perennials to allow them to establish roots before winter.
• Winter (December-February): While planting is limited, maintaining existing container gardens by protecting roots and providing occasional water is crucial.

Winter care for container gardens

The Great Big Greenhouse & Meadows Farms Nurseries emphasizes that container plants require special attention in winter. Roots are particularly vulnerable to freezing, making container selection and placement critical. The greenhouse and nurseries recommend leaving outdoor container gardens outside, as hardy evergreens such as spruce and juniper require a cool dormancy period. Additionally, he advises against letting plants dry out completely, even during colder months.

This Asiatic Lily dies every winter but comes back during the spring and summer. (Aila Boyd)

Vegetable gardening

According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, container gardening is an excellent way to grow vegetables in small spaces, making it ideal for urban and suburban gardeners. Many vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and herbs, thrive in containers when given proper care. The key to success is selecting the right container size, using a high-quality potting mix, and ensuring adequate drainage. Additionally, regular watering and fertilization help maintain healthy growth, especially during Virginia’s hot summer months.

For those interested in vegetable farming on a larger scale, container gardening can also serve as a useful tool for experimenting with new crops before committing to larger plots. The Virginia Cooperative Extension emphasizes that container-grown vegetables can be a sustainable option for individuals with limited land access or poor soil conditions. Gardeners can also extend the growing season by moving containers indoors during cooler months, allowing for year-round harvests of leafy greens and herbs.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.