Container Gardening for Midwest Beginners: Start Small, Grow Something

Linda Przybylski has been gardening in Kane County for 30 years, and for the past decade she has focused almost exclusively on containers. "I'm not anti-ground gardening," she said. "But containers let you garden anywhere, control your soil completely, and move things around. For beginners, that's a huge advantage."

Przybylski, a certified master gardener through the University of Illinois Extension, teaches container gardening workshops each spring through the Kane County Forest Preserve. Her beginner classes sell out within days of opening.

Her first rule: drainage is everything. "More container plants die from overwatering than underwatering. Every pot needs drainage holes and a saucer. That's non-negotiable."

For Midwest beginners, she recommends starting with three categories: herbs (basil, parsley, chives are nearly foolproof), cherry tomatoes ('Sungold' and 'Sweet 100' varieties perform well in containers), and one pollinator flower such as zinnias or marigolds. "Those three things together will teach you everything you need to know about container growing."

Soil matters more in containers than in the ground, since roots can't expand to find nutrients. Przybylski recommends a high-quality potting mix — not garden soil, which compacts — amended with compost and a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time.

The Fox Valley's last frost date is typically around May 1, which means outdoor container planting is safe now through early October. For those just starting this season, she says: "Get three pots. Plant basil. You'll be hooked by July."