If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly possible to grow your own food in containers, this garden update is for you. My garden may be small, but it is mighty! From zucchinis and potatoes to sweet potatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and even sugar baby watermelons, I’m growing it all right here in containers on my back porch. And let me tell you, it’s been a journey full of surprises, learning curves, and lots of excitement.

Today, I want to walk you through what’s happening in my container garden right now—what’s thriving, what’s struggling, and what I’m learning along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, I hope this garden update gives you the motivation and knowledge you need to dig into your own growing journey.

Zucchinis in Pots? Yes, It Can Be Done!

Let’s start with one of my favorite surprises: zucchinis. I never thought it was possible to grow zucchinis in containers, but here we are. I have one beautiful zucchini plant growing in an 18-gallon container, and it’s already producing! I noticed some powdery mildew forming on the leaves (a common issue in humid environments), but I’m addressing it with a simple homemade remedy: a spray made from milk and water. The milk contains microbes that help fight off the mildew naturally.

Besides the mildew, the plant is doing well. I’ve already seen a few baby zucchinis form, and although I had to remove one that was yellowing, I’m hopeful the others will thrive. In the same container, I’ve planted a few bush beans to maximize space and nutrition sharing. Interplanting helps build resilience and conserve soil moisture.

Growing Potatoes in Containers

Next up: potatoes. I planted both regular potatoes and sweet potatoes in large grow bags, and they have completely taken over their corners of the garden. Their leaves are lush and overflowing, which I take as a great sign. I’ve been feeding them weekly with banana peel water and a bit of liquid kelp. This combo is rich in potassium and micronutrients, which are ideal for root development.

My regular potatoes are growing in two large grow bags, and I can’t wait until the foliage dies back so I can harvest and see what’s underneath. The sweet potatoes were started from tiny slips—five in one 30-gallon grow bag—and they’ve spilled over the sides, which is always exciting to see. Yellowing leaves on the sweet potatoes were a reminder to adjust watering and make sure they were getting enough nutrients.

A Quick Peek at My Flower Bed

While my main focus is food, I couldn’t resist adding a small flower bed. I believe they’re zinnias (though I’ll admit, I forgot which seeds I sowed). These flowers are a bright burst of color and help attract pollinators, which is always a win in the garden.

Speaking of flowers, I also have marigolds throughout the garden—four large ones that I started using the winter sowing method. If you’re growing marigolds from seed, especially the tall varieties, you’ll want to start them early because they take a while to bloom. These beauties can grow 3-5 feet tall and are worth the wait.

Cucumbers, Carrots, and Clever Container Tricks

Initially, I had cucumbers growing in a certain container, but after they finished their cycle, I replanted the space with carrot seeds. To encourage quick germination, I used a neat trick: I kept the soil moist and placed a wet cardboard sheet on top. This sealed in the moisture and helped the seeds sprout faster. Once the sprouts emerged, I removed the cardboard and set up a DIY shade barrier since carrots prefer cooler temperatures.

This container gets full sun during the day, so between noon and 5 PM, I keep the shade cloth up. It may not be the prettiest setup, but it works, and that’s what matters when growing food in limited space.

Peppers, Bush Beans, and Vertical Dreams

My jalapeño peppers are producing nicely. Some are already turning red, while others are still green, giving me a good mix for various recipes. And the bush beans? They’re everywhere in my garden. I’ve planted them in multiple containers because one plant alone doesn’t yield a large harvest. You need several to make it worth your while.

A recent storm flattened many of my bean plants, but I was able to rescue them with bamboo sticks for support. A reminder that gardening isn’t just planting and watering—sometimes it’s storm recovery too!

Growing Watermelon in Containers (Vertically!)

Believe it or not, I’m growing sugar baby watermelons in containers. I have two plants in a 45-gallon container and another in a separate grow bag. I even hand-pollinated one of the flowers with a small paintbrush because the male flowers on watermelon plants are tiny. I’m hopeful that fruit sets soon!

Right now, I’m working on reinforcing the trellis system for the watermelon vines. It’s a bit flimsy, and I definitely want to grow them vertically to save space. If you’re trying this at home, make sure your trellis can support the weight of growing melons.

Lettuce Out, Bush Beans In

I had lettuce in one container that I recently harvested, so I replaced it with—you guessed it—more bush beans. They’re just too easy and reliable not to grow. I planted several in the same container, and even though a small rainstorm bent them out of shape, a few bamboo sticks later and they’re back upright.

A Surprise from Oregano and My Bell Peppers

My Cuban oregano plant is doing incredibly well. It started as a cutting from my stepfather’s garden. After rooting in water, I transferred it to soil, and it’s now thriving in its container. It’s one of those plants that really surprises you.

As for my sweet bell peppers, they had a rough start but are now bouncing back. I started these from seed indoors, and one plant that looked like it wouldn’t make it is now producing a pepper! Fertilizing every couple of weeks has helped encourage growth, even in the hot sun.

Cucumber Replanting and Okra Updates

I’ve planted pickling cucumbers in a few containers, replacing older plants that finished their cycle. I’m hoping for a nice second wave of cucumbers.

As for okra, I have a few plants going, although they seem a bit stunted at the moment. Still, I’m hopeful that they’ll perk up soon. They’re paired with bush beans and marigolds to keep pests at bay and boost pollination.

Tomatoes, Spinach, and Real Garden Talk

My poor tomatoes! They’ve been scorched by the sun and are nearing the end of their life. I did get a few harvests, though, and I have new Roma seedlings that I started indoors. I plan to transplant those into the same containers to keep the cycle going.

My Malabar spinach is thriving. I planted three in one container and they’re climbing beautifully. This is a heat-loving, vining spinach that does exceptionally well in containers. It’s a must-try for anyone gardening through the summer.

Lessons From This Garden Update

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this garden update, it’s that gardening is a journey of experimentation. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t. But that’s the beauty of it.

Zucchinis can absolutely grow in containers. Use at least 15-18 gallons grow bags per plant.
Potatoes and sweet potatoes thrive in grow bags. Feed them potassium-rich fertilizer.
Watermelon? Yep, you can grow them in containers with vertical trellising.
You can revive struggling plants with patience, care, and the right nutrients.
Shade cloths, cardboard tricks, and bamboo sticks are your best friends.

Tools and Products That Helped Me This Season

Here are some of the tools and supplies I used throughout my garden that helped keep everything thriving:

18-gallon container (got from walmart) for zucchini.
30-gallon container (from walmart) for potatoes and sweet potatoes
Liquid kelp fertilizer for micronutrients
Banana peel water (homemade)
Bamboo sticks for propping up storm-damaged plants
Paintbrush for hand-pollinating melons
Shade cloth to protect carrots from intense sun

These simple tools made a big difference. I’ll be linking them below for anyone who’d like to try them out.

Grab My Free Container Garden Kickstart Kit

Still unsure about where to begin? I get it. I was there too. That’s why I created a free container garden kickstart kit (signup below) just for beginners growing in small spaces.

This kit includes:

A container size cheat sheet for different crops
Beginner-friendly plant list
Fertilizer basics and watering tips
Printable planting checklist

If you’re ready to get started or want a clearer path to success, grab the free kit on my website. You don’t need a big yard. Just a pot, some dirt, and a willingness to grow.

Gardening in containers has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I never imagined I’d grow zucchinis, potatoes, and watermelons in containers, but here I am. And if I can do it, you can too.

Thanks for joining me on this garden update. Stay tuned for more progress and remember—it all starts with one seed. Happy growing!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of the links.*

Grow Food Anywhere – Grab Your Free Kickstart Kit!