This is way late but I teach a small AG class. My father and law and I plant traditional rows most often but honestly # for # the 9$ for sale thick black rubbermaid totes with holes drilled on the sides 3-5 1/4" holes about 3 inches from the bottom and good soil "manure/mushroom compost, etc would be your best bet. Also run some 1" pvc and a 90 at the base, drill holes in the part that runs along the bottom, and you can water into that so it waters from the bottom up.

The best thing I've tried to deter deer is fishing line. String it between posts or trees where you're not going to be caught up in it, 2 strings, 1 at shoulder height and 1 around knee level to completely block your garden area from them. They don't see it, hit it and run the other way. Better than a fence unless you go to the expense of potting in an 8' one!

Most things will do well in large containers--almost all veggies and most flowers. You might want to shade the pots if you can so the roots don't heat up too much and moisture is maintained. You can do this by mulching or double potting or both.