Try:
McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers

and
Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers: Using Ed's Amazing POTS System

I've reviewed the POTS book on this forum - just search for it.

Drainage holes should be at the lowest part of the container. Create hoes with a spade or 3-point drill in vitreous and terra cotta containers, and drill or poke a hot piece of metal through plastic. Only one hole is required, so long as it remains unclogged, and there is no drainage advantage to more than one. Fillers at the bottom are optional, but don't use them with the expectation they will improve/increase drainage - they will not. They will serve to raise the level of the saturated soil as the water 'perches' in the soil above the drainage layer.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: Each/all your questions addressed in one thread, here.

Thanks, both of you. I bookmarked the thread. I had seen that title but for some reason never opened it.

I haven't checked out the POTS book yet, but I added McGee & Stuckey's to my Amazon cart. It looks wonderful.

THe link below (1) is one of my favorite links for container growing from Univ. Of Maryland. Has alot of basic information.

Here is another (2) if you want to make your own self-watering container. Great idea using 1 and 1/2 containers.

http://www.josho.com/gardening.htm

Earthbox.com has the original Earthbox (self-watering container) which is a great product.

Just don't put rocks or pot chards in the bottom of container thinking it helps drainage--it does not but many books and articles still give this recommendation. They haven't caught up with latest research.

Here is a link that might be useful: Container culture

Thanks, Farkee. Great resources. I bookmarked the sites and ordered the book. I'm psyched! I hope my enthusiasm carries over to next yearÂalthough I'm thinking about trying blueberries this fall.

I was surprised to see the recommendation that the containers be a dark color. Do you know why? I just bought three in apple green.

I see this in the brochure:

"Dark colors will create higher temperatures that
could injure young tender roots and prevent the full
development of a plantÂs root system."

but I don't see where dark colors are recommended--that being said most of my containers are dark but I am growing during the cooler part of the year. Your apple green color sounds great.

alisande,
I used to have a black thumb, able to kill any kind of plant almost before planting it. Never detered me from gardening though. Did deter the usefulness of doing it. LOL Finally read, on this forum, the difference between having a green thumb or a black thumb -- knowledge! Lots and lots of knowledge! (Doh! Sounds so obvious now. LOL)

When I can't garden, I read books about gardening and take notes, so I'm more likely to remember everything I've learned. During gardening season, I usually come running to this forum, when I come across unexpected problems -- which, despite all the reading, happens often anyway. Oh well!

I've been on this regiment for four years now, and have worked myself all the way up to a yellow thumb -- about 60% of what I plant survive. About 30% of what I sow (usually starting inside 6-8 weeks early) become full fledged plants.

With that, the answer to your question is "Yes!!!" Read books and these forums!

You've already been given the best starter book's name for container gardeners, who want to grow edibles (it includes edible flowers, too, so that "beautiful" works for produce containers, too) -- "McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers." Has cut down my questions greatly, although, I actually did grow pumpkins out of a container. (You'll understand the reference when you read that chapter. LOL)

Also, for specific books about specific kinds of plants and specific kinds of gardening, check out "Timberline Books." (They're a bit expensive on their site, but you can always buy used ones from Amazon or pay nothing and borrow books from you're local library. If the book's worth it, then buy it.)

And, one more recommendation, given that I was so completely naive at first, don't snub books about gardening designed for kids. Not only do they cover the absolute basics, they also tell how to make it fun -- a must for kids in the garden, or me. LOL

Valentinetbear, thank you for that post. When I was a homeschooling mom I used to say the fastest way to learn about something was to teach it to someone elseÂand start by reading a book written for children. :-)

I'm not a great gardener, and most of the time I don't even think of myself as a good gardener. But I've had years of experience. I'm an enthusiastic gardener, and at this point in my life I'm concerned that my enthusiasm will one day be outweighed by the limitations of age.

My late husband and I grew a huge vegetable garden for years. We had a lot of fun trying new varieties. I canned and froze and dried, and fed ourselves and our three children. I'm still growing lots of flowers, but that vegetable garden hasn't been touched in years. I don't feel capable of resurrecting even a piece of it. But I miss growing vegetables and think container gardening could be the answer for me. It seems as though it would be something I could do even when kneeling and bending become difficult. Plus it just looks so neat! I love seeing what some of this forum's gardeners are doing.

Good for you for gardening in the city! I'm in PA, too, but live on 31 acres. No excuses about lack of space, unless you count the spaces taken up by rocks. :-)

Susan
who was trying to dig a hole for a rose today, but a major rock was in the way . . . no such problems with container gardening. :-)