Container

• Most containers will work for growing vegetables. The main considerations are the size of the container and drainage. A container 8 to 12 inches in diameter is adequate for most vegetable plants, according to Cornell Cooperative Extension. Drainage holes are necessary in all containers to prevent root rot. Porous containers, like clay and wood, allow moisture to evaporate rapidly, unlike plastic or metal containers, which retain moisture. Containers made from toxic materials should never be used.
  
  

Soil

• A high-quality all-purpose commercial soil is ideal for container growing, according to Cornell Cooperative Extension. Vegetables grow best in a lightweight, porous soil mixture that contains perlite or vermiculite. Soil from gardens is not recommended due to its poor drainage. Additionally, garden soil often contains plant diseases and pests.
  
  

Plants

• Most common vegetable plants grow in containers, including tomatoes, leafy greens, onions, peas, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets and peppers. Vegetable transplants take less time to reach maturity and require fewer gardening steps than planting from seed.
  
  

Planting

• The potting mixture is poured into the container, with several inches to spare at the top of the container. The growing medium is watered before the transplant is planted in order to settle the soil. The transplant is placed in the soil. The potting mix is smoothed out to cover the plant's roots and should be level with the base of the transplant's original potting soil. The container is placed in a sunny location that provides at least six hours of sunlight.
  
  

Care

• Container plants may need occasional weeding. Removing the weeds when the soil is moist allows for easier access to the weed's roots. Container plants require frequent watering, according to Colorado State University Extension Service. Container plants may need watering once or twice daily due to high summer temperatures and extreme evaporation in containers. Frequent watering causes many of the soil's nutrients to be lost. Using water-soluble fertilizer adds back the lost nutrients while the vegetables grow.