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Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible
Harvest tomatoes on a patio, produce a pumpkin in a planter, and grow broccoli on a balcony! Best-selling author Ed Smith shows you everything you need to know to successfully create and care for an edible container garden, from choosing the right plants and selecting appropriate containers through controlling pests without chemicals and harvesting fresh vegetables. You’ll discover that container gardening is an easy and fun way to enjoy summer’s bounty in even the smallest of growing spaces.
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2011
527 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
About the author
Edward C. Smith
19 books8 followersEdward C. Smith tends a garden of over 1,500 square feet filled with raspberries, blueberries, flowers, herbs, and nearly 100 varieties of vegetables, including some heirlooms, in his home state of Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 10, 2020
(updated as I had mistakenly only given 4 stars before- GASP--this is a 5-star gardening book!)
There are a myriad of really great gardening books out there. But for the best go-to, how-to books, Edward C. Smith is God. Lucky for us, he wrote the Bible. Two of them, actually. Building on his Vegetable Gardener's Bible (which is wonderful) is now the Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible. These books are the best reference books out there on gardening (well, I'm sure the *really, really* big ones that cost a billion dollars probably are, simply because they are more extensive, but for the money, these are FANTASTIC). I've been home gardening for about 7 years- first in a community garden, and now in containers, and I have read probably 75 gardening books. These are the only two I own-- and for good reason: they're straight to the fucking point. Got any basic questions about how to grow the most common fruits and vegetables? Edward C. Smith has the answer. With high glossy photos. God Bless you, Edward C. Smith. Or, bless yourself, as the case may be.
There are a myriad of really great gardening books out there. But for the best go-to, how-to books, Edward C. Smith is God. Lucky for us, he wrote the Bible. Two of them, actually. Building on his Vegetable Gardener's Bible (which is wonderful) is now the Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible. These books are the best reference books out there on gardening (well, I'm sure the *really, really* big ones that cost a billion dollars probably are, simply because they are more extensive, but for the money, these are FANTASTIC). I've been home gardening for about 7 years- first in a community garden, and now in containers, and I have read probably 75 gardening books. These are the only two I own-- and for good reason: they're straight to the fucking point. Got any basic questions about how to grow the most common fruits and vegetables? Edward C. Smith has the answer. With high glossy photos. God Bless you, Edward C. Smith. Or, bless yourself, as the case may be.
April 28, 2015
I love my earth garden and don't plan to give it up but this book makes turning much of it into a container garden very tempting.
The writing is clear. The explanations are easily understood.
Included are plans for making your own self watering containers, compost, pot mixes and planting suggestions. The pot sizes are not numerical making them a bit vague. They do have amounts of soil contained in the different sizes but that is not easily pictured. At the end of the book is a wonderful listing of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers with descriptions and advice for growing them in containers or otherwise.
Some of the information is usable for a raised bed. Some of the plant information will be very helpful for growing those plants in the garden proper.
Anyone can grow some edible plant after reading this book. This includes apartment dwellers on upper floors. This is an excellent book for anyone who grows or wants to grow fresh produce.
The writing is clear. The explanations are easily understood.
Included are plans for making your own self watering containers, compost, pot mixes and planting suggestions. The pot sizes are not numerical making them a bit vague. They do have amounts of soil contained in the different sizes but that is not easily pictured. At the end of the book is a wonderful listing of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers with descriptions and advice for growing them in containers or otherwise.
Some of the information is usable for a raised bed. Some of the plant information will be very helpful for growing those plants in the garden proper.
Anyone can grow some edible plant after reading this book. This includes apartment dwellers on upper floors. This is an excellent book for anyone who grows or wants to grow fresh produce.
June 13, 2020
This book is good, if basic. As a long-time vegetable gardener in tiny spaces (currently confined to the 8' by 25' southern exposure of a condo built on heavy, clay-compacted soil), I grow a lot in containers: tomatoes, peppers, salad greens, cucumbers, zucchini, pole beans, herbs, etc.
I'm not sure why I check out this book since I read it before, but I think I put it on hold back in March and it finally came off of hold at our library's digital collection. For inspiration, I imagine.
Regardless, I'm still giving this book only 3-stars, the same reaction I had last time. Mostly because you can get the same material online, but also because his encyclopedic "what to grow" — a staple of all vegetable gardening books — is odd, and the recommended varieties often bizarre, hard-to-find varietals instead of the standards, like Better Boy or Super Sweet 100 tomatoes and California Wonder bell peppers.
I'm not sure why I check out this book since I read it before, but I think I put it on hold back in March and it finally came off of hold at our library's digital collection. For inspiration, I imagine.
Regardless, I'm still giving this book only 3-stars, the same reaction I had last time. Mostly because you can get the same material online, but also because his encyclopedic "what to grow" — a staple of all vegetable gardening books — is odd, and the recommended varieties often bizarre, hard-to-find varietals instead of the standards, like Better Boy or Super Sweet 100 tomatoes and California Wonder bell peppers.
July 20, 2020
Decent reference, although the information is kinda scattered around the book, i found it difficult to get back to it. So that’s the biggest gripe I have with this. Otherwise every advice I followed carried out. Much of the content applies to earth gardens too.
Most useful section was maybe the one about soil, explaining how to make it, the role of compost, water retaining elements etc. And the one about pests, good bugs and how to attract them. I also find the “How to grow plant X” section pretty easy to consult. But a YouTube search will show you more specificity to your growing region and more details.
I didn’t care much about the garden design shit… to be honest I don’t know why gardening books are even mentioning that. Every garden is different!
Most useful section was maybe the one about soil, explaining how to make it, the role of compost, water retaining elements etc. And the one about pests, good bugs and how to attract them. I also find the “How to grow plant X” section pretty easy to consult. But a YouTube search will show you more specificity to your growing region and more details.
I didn’t care much about the garden design shit… to be honest I don’t know why gardening books are even mentioning that. Every garden is different!
June 15, 2020
This is the book I should have read before I decided to plant carrots, swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, arugula, eggplant, summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, oregano, basil, dill, chives, and cilantro this summer. If I had, then maybe I would have done things right. As of now, I'm at war with the neighborhood chipmunks and squirrels who like to bury their nuts in my just-planted pots, and have lost six squash to blossom rot (which I didn't even know existed until I woke up to squishy squash a week ago). I would have bought all self-watering containers, and I would have known that not all that many vegetables can survive sweltering Virginia summers -- in fact, it seems like most vegetables actually prefer cooler temperatures and do better in the shoulder seasons in Virginia. For this season, I've spent a small fortune to learn from my mistakes.
The instructions and guidance in this book are clear and the author makes gardening seem doable and rewarding. There are instructions on growing dozens of vegetables, and although the author lives in Vermont, much of what he writes (how many plants to plant per container, what size container to use, what to stake, what not to stake) is applicable anywhere and exactly the questions I should have had going into this expensive, time-consuming (and yes, rewarding) hobby. My only complaint is that the level of detail in the instructions on growing specific vegetables is uneven: He provides an abundance of detail for some, and rather limited detail for others. Maybe he just doesn't like certain vegetables?
But overall, this truly is pretty much a gardening Bible, I will turn to time and time again as I get more adventurous and efficient at gardening. I recommend this to anyone thinking about a small-space container garden.
The instructions and guidance in this book are clear and the author makes gardening seem doable and rewarding. There are instructions on growing dozens of vegetables, and although the author lives in Vermont, much of what he writes (how many plants to plant per container, what size container to use, what to stake, what not to stake) is applicable anywhere and exactly the questions I should have had going into this expensive, time-consuming (and yes, rewarding) hobby. My only complaint is that the level of detail in the instructions on growing specific vegetables is uneven: He provides an abundance of detail for some, and rather limited detail for others. Maybe he just doesn't like certain vegetables?
But overall, this truly is pretty much a gardening Bible, I will turn to time and time again as I get more adventurous and efficient at gardening. I recommend this to anyone thinking about a small-space container garden.
June 4, 2018
Super helpful book for someone like me who doesn't have space for an earth garden and knows nothing about planting. My general method is to buy and bunch of a plants, water when I remember to, and hope for the best. Every page or two I learned something new. The book is broken up in chapters by stages (selecting the right containers, soil, seeds/plants, planting, care... etc.) and then the last half of the book is an alphabetical list of vegetables and herbs. I would highly recommend for others that are doing container gardens!
February 17, 2023
Full of great information to expand my container garden at my home. I will be using this all summer as a reference for pests, planting, harvesting and more.
April 1, 2024
Excellent resource if you are looking to start a vegetable garden in containers!
September 3, 2019
Excellent book, great ideas.
I had been a gardener--a flat space in-the-ground outside gardener--for many years before my space in my community garden was bulldozed and destroyed. With very limited space and sunny areas, I began putting plants in pots with varying degrees of success. Finding self-esteem pots that I can afford has been challenging; Mr. Smith gives some excellent methods for making them. He also gives ideas that I hadn't thought about. I hadn't considered, for example, planting short-harvest vegetables in circles around those that one either plants later or simply takes longer to grow to size. His lists of different plants and habit\growth tips are quite good. I recommend this book.
I had been a gardener--a flat space in-the-ground outside gardener--for many years before my space in my community garden was bulldozed and destroyed. With very limited space and sunny areas, I began putting plants in pots with varying degrees of success. Finding self-esteem pots that I can afford has been challenging; Mr. Smith gives some excellent methods for making them. He also gives ideas that I hadn't thought about. I hadn't considered, for example, planting short-harvest vegetables in circles around those that one either plants later or simply takes longer to grow to size. His lists of different plants and habit\growth tips are quite good. I recommend this book.
June 9, 2014
Apparently I have Squash Vine Borers in my garden. They are really destructive little jerks...
But I did get some nice zucchini before they did their damage. Had some zucchini bread for breakfast.
But I did get some nice zucchini before they did their damage. Had some zucchini bread for breakfast.
May 17, 2019
I've been reading a lot about vegetable container gardening recently, and this book is by far the best one.
May 27, 2020
I was torn between getting the "container bible" or Smith's original Vegetable Gardener's Bible. I wish I knew how they measure against each other. When it claimed to be a bible, I thought it would be a bit more comprehensive. Even so, this book is a lovely introduction to successful container gardening. Smith outlines the basics and includes an abundance of helpful photographs for the visual learner. Really successful container gardening involves making a huge number of decisions, and it is essential to know the basics when making those decisions. That's where this book really shines. Instead of being comprehensive--and, therefore, overwhelming for the newbie--this book establishes the most important things to consider.
Smith guides readers on the following topics (and more):
--Determining what should go in a potting soil depending on the type of container and watering needs, in an easy and simple manner.
--Mixing your own potting soil (I am disappointed, here, that he relies on peat, because peat is an unsustainable resource and, after awhile, eventually compacts and makes watering difficult where it once helped)
--Determining the size needs of a plant (I wish, here, he had used gallons for container measurement, but it's still helpful)
--Choosing plant varieties that are good for containers.
--Determining which plants can go together in a pot, and which plants need to be alone.
--Taking a plant home to transplant (hint: remember to harden it off when you get home!)
--Growing edible herbs and flowers
--Managing pests (this is definitely not a comprehensive guide, and in fact he omitted the Mexican bean beetle.
In all, this is a really good book to get if you're interested in container gardening, want to get the most out of your time with it, and if you are a beginner gardener in general.
Smith guides readers on the following topics (and more):
--Determining what should go in a potting soil depending on the type of container and watering needs, in an easy and simple manner.
--Mixing your own potting soil (I am disappointed, here, that he relies on peat, because peat is an unsustainable resource and, after awhile, eventually compacts and makes watering difficult where it once helped)
--Determining the size needs of a plant (I wish, here, he had used gallons for container measurement, but it's still helpful)
--Choosing plant varieties that are good for containers.
--Determining which plants can go together in a pot, and which plants need to be alone.
--Taking a plant home to transplant (hint: remember to harden it off when you get home!)
--Growing edible herbs and flowers
--Managing pests (this is definitely not a comprehensive guide, and in fact he omitted the Mexican bean beetle.
In all, this is a really good book to get if you're interested in container gardening, want to get the most out of your time with it, and if you are a beginner gardener in general.
June 26, 2020
This is a perfect book for beginner gardeners who want to grow food plants in containers. It's organized very well and makes it easy to find what you're looking for. There are gorgeous photos throughout. This book is very useful; I just wish I had started reading it earlier and followed instructions on starting seedlings indoors near the end of winter. Instead, I started them in spring and moved them outdoors and bought some plants as well to grow in containers on my deck.
The first half of the book contains information on tools, types of containers, what to grow together, ideas for attractive container gardens with a group of plants, different types of soil, different plant foods and pH modifiers, how to make compost, how to start plants from seed, how to prune, how to use trellises, how to manage pests and diseases, how to harvest, and a number of pages on how to make your own self-watering containers.
The second half of the book has a page or two per each type of food plant, alphabetically, that will grow well in containers. It describes what type of pot and soil are good for each, what type of pests bother it, when to sow, when to harvest, how much water it needs, and a few varieties of each. There's a similar section on herbs and then edible flowers. At the back, there's a hardiness zone map of the US, an average last frost date map, a list of seed suppliers, and an index.
The first half of the book contains information on tools, types of containers, what to grow together, ideas for attractive container gardens with a group of plants, different types of soil, different plant foods and pH modifiers, how to make compost, how to start plants from seed, how to prune, how to use trellises, how to manage pests and diseases, how to harvest, and a number of pages on how to make your own self-watering containers.
The second half of the book has a page or two per each type of food plant, alphabetically, that will grow well in containers. It describes what type of pot and soil are good for each, what type of pests bother it, when to sow, when to harvest, how much water it needs, and a few varieties of each. There's a similar section on herbs and then edible flowers. At the back, there's a hardiness zone map of the US, an average last frost date map, a list of seed suppliers, and an index.
June 2, 2020
Since we moved to our current home, I have not been able to have an earth garden. That's one of the minor drawbacks of living in a townhouse development. So, I have moved my gardening to pots and other containers, both flowers and vegetables. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to grow things in a garden that is not tilled into the earth.
The book is written in a style that is easy to read and understand. Advice and instructions are clear. The book covers selecting and creating containers, where to put them, soil and soil amendments, caring for the plants, and pest and disease control and prevention. There are large sections in the back of the book that list individual vegetables, edible flowers, and herbs, with details on growing, caring for, and harvesting each one. The whole book reads easily and will become a go-to resource as your gardening adventures grow.
If you have always wanted to grow some of your own food, but think that since you only have a porch, patio, or balcony, you are out of luck, this book will change your mind. It is possible to grow a bounty of food in small spaces. You just need someone to show you how, and this book is a great place to start.
The book is written in a style that is easy to read and understand. Advice and instructions are clear. The book covers selecting and creating containers, where to put them, soil and soil amendments, caring for the plants, and pest and disease control and prevention. There are large sections in the back of the book that list individual vegetables, edible flowers, and herbs, with details on growing, caring for, and harvesting each one. The whole book reads easily and will become a go-to resource as your gardening adventures grow.
If you have always wanted to grow some of your own food, but think that since you only have a porch, patio, or balcony, you are out of luck, this book will change your mind. It is possible to grow a bounty of food in small spaces. You just need someone to show you how, and this book is a great place to start.
October 7, 2018
Quick and easy layout in terms of planning, picking, and working with your containers.
I am intrigued by the fact that this, unlike the last container gardening book I read, says nothing about mulch and instead is in love with liquid seaweed fertilizer. Having said that, he isn’t a fan of spice or chilis, so I’m not sure how much I can believe him....
I am intrigued by the fact that this, unlike the last container gardening book I read, says nothing about mulch and instead is in love with liquid seaweed fertilizer. Having said that, he isn’t a fan of spice or chilis, so I’m not sure how much I can believe him....
April 18, 2020
Continues to be absolutely essential. His organic slow release fertilizer was and is, spot on. The vegetable profiles are useful no matter what climate you are in, the the first half of the book offers countless container combos, setups, and instructional how to's. I will continue to re-read this and consult it every year.
June 30, 2020
The biggest question I had and the reason I got this book was to figure out what could you grow in containers. The book gives you a comprehensive look at everything from chives to corn. It talks about soul, crops, pest, and harvesting. It really covers a wide range of things and gives you enough information to fill in the gaps. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to grow in a small space.
July 15, 2023
A very helpful and informative book for gardeners! Especially if you’re trying to grow some fresh food in a small space. He’s got the right amount of nerdiness to teach you valuable information about soil and watering and fertilizing- but doesn’t drown you in stuff you don’t need to know. Definitely recommend if you’re hoping to grow your own food
May 14, 2018
This book was a gift from a seasoned gardener after becoming aware of my ability to kill any plant within reach. This book was easy to understand, filled with pictures and made container gardening attainable... even for me! From beginners to experienced gardeners this is a fantastic resource.
January 23, 2019
So helpful! I'll be re-reading certain chapters to take notes before returning this book to the library, so I can plan my garden for this year. But when I have an income again, I'll be buying a reference copy for myself!
July 16, 2019
A really good book that dives in depth into the subject of container gardening. Although I did find it a little long winded at parts and it goes into enough detail using terms that make it not ideal for a beginner gardener
June 14, 2018
The most helpful gardening book I've found to date!
February 20, 2019
I haven't read through this but I do use it as a reference.
April 30, 2019
Helpful, explanatory.
February 1, 2020
Excellent information and beautiful pictures.
May 6, 2020
A comprehensive guide to container gardening. A useful resource especially for urban gardeners or those with limited space.
September 29, 2020
What an amazing book! Super helpful and chock-full of great tips
June 20, 2021
learnt a lot from this book.
May 11, 2022
I was looking for a book that explained how to plant things in a clear, concise way and this delivered! Ed is a saint! 😭 Looking forward to my first edible garden!
June 25, 2023
Good, clear advice, I especially like the instructions on making your own self-watering containers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews