Let’s face it—not all of us have space to plant a full-sized garden. Fortunately, the growing season—and a few good containers—can still turn a small patio into something productive. As an over-exuberant container gardener, I once learned this the hard way. I actually lost my homeowner’s insurance because I had too many containers on my patio. The agent declined coverage due to “too much plant material on the exterior.” Personally, I maintain that you can never have too many plants.

Still, I reluctantly pared things down to my favorite pots—terra cotta, blue, and green—and grouped them by color in different areas of the patio. Arranging containers by height and color creates a strong visual impact, even in a small space.

For edibles, I selected plants like patio tomatoes, cilantro, mint, chives, and dill. These herbs and vegetables add plenty of flavor without requiring much space. In fact, most vegetables that grow in a garden will grow just fine in a suitable container. Click HERE for a publication on Container Gardening.

Of course, I also wanted a bright pop of color. Flowering annuals mixed with existing perennials helped create that effect, though perennials in containers sometimes behave like annuals. They can become root-bound, get too much or too little water, or suffer when containers heat up or cool down too quickly.

Colorful choices like zinnias (Zahara Double Cherry), pentas, and heat-tolerant vinca do well in East Texas. Paired with needlepoint ivy or English ivy, they create a lush, inviting look.

Choose containers wisely—avoid dark ceramic or metal pots that absorb heat. Start with a few containers and add more each year. Soon enough, your enthusiasm may become difficult to contain.

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Todd Martin
Smith County Master Gardener