A large pot with a lot of soil will be heavy no matter what. Find a sturdy UV stabilized resin planter and it will last forever. Get a large matching saucer and water carefully.

You may want fewer larger containers but still have some separation . As you say lettuce, veggies, herbs , you are including some annual plants. These will fade/ die & need to be replaced, re-seeded, lot of soil disturbance , can make a mess and need more moist soil & nitrogen . Perennial herbs like rosemary & many others like different soil & can go for years in same pot. Plus it could be advantageous to be able to shuffle location. It’s very helpful to be able to take the spent veggie pot out & re- do, or adjust for seasonal sun pattern. The long window- box plastic things are often too shallow. Some larger ones have integrated “saucer “ I would not trust inside.
You may partly be looking for more order and symmetry.
So I think keep searching for different types of rectangular trays as suggested, note dimensions, some may have planters associated or again, searching/ checking specs & see what you can fit.

I would look into indoor hydroponic systems. No messy soil or spills from watering. Some setups have lighting that would provide for max growth. Buy a setup or there must be tons of DIY instructions out there.

This system is called stack and grow BTW Zone 7 is almost in that zone where a nice little green house could work outside.

You can use plastic storage boxes. They come in a variety of sizes and depths. Six inches of soil depth is good for lettuce, some herbs, greens, alliums, and some edible flowers like nasturtiums. You can even do small radishes or baby carrots. Look for ones that have lipped lids that can be used under the container for saucers. Or get a second box to serve as the saucer. Drill drainage holes in the box you want to grow in.

You can use other bigger plastic containers that are more attractive than just storage boxes. Look for plastic numbers 1,2,4,5, or 6- 1,2, and 5 are better than 4 and 6 for growing food in.

BTW in Zone 7 especially b you can grow a number of greens outside all winter even with snow. I grow kale, collards, mizuna especially; arugula and chard keep going especially in slightly sheltered microclimate spots.
Parsley comes through light freezes.

Great suggestions, thank you all!

I picked up a couple of these raised containers on sale. Here's my plan:

- put boards under the legs to help distribute weight and avoid buckling my wood plank floors.

- move a standing lamp over these with some grow bulbs.

- transplant hardy lettuce seedlings like mizuna from here to planters on the patio.

- keep these for herbs and seedlings. If it gets too messy or the containers drip, outside to the patio they will go (maybe one day to a hoop house?) and I will learn hydroponic gardening for indoors.

I don't really have any further suggestions but just wanted to say wow, what a wonderful area that is!! So bright and sunny and warm-looking. Good luck with your indoor growing!

:)

Dee

Very jealous of that wonderful sunny space to grow indoors!! lol

Your new raised containers look like they fit the bill and they also go with your blue table maybe between the two of them.

When I put pots in plant stands I always start with a saucer that fits the top that I can put the pot on so I don't have to catch drips with a saucer on the floor. You might have to use a pot that is a little smaller, but you'll be much happier with the function and appearance.

Good luck! Hope you will post more photos when you have it all set up.

There are indoor gardening systems available as kits. No soil required. One is the Aerogarden. Another is Gardyn.

Better now! Will probably only keep these indoors during winter.

That looks really nice!

Good show Trudy! Looks like you are already enjoying your kitchen garden :)

Looks great! Nice job! Makes the winter go by quicker and in a much more interesting way!