Hello all, I have been growing simple vegetables in containers for a few years now. I've been trying to find out if I'm using too small containters of if I'm doing okay.
I normally just plant everything I grow in 16" containers. Lately I've been seeing people planting everything from tomato to bush bean and even baby carrots in 12" pots.
One neighbor down the street had 4 bush bean plants growing in one 12" pot. It's his first year growing and I don't have enough experience to know better, but is this okay to plant so many plants in the same pot?
JLaw
A 12" container should hold about 3 gallons of potting mix, or a bit more. The Extension Service chart in [url=https://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/container.html]this article[/url] indicates that a 2-gallon container can hold 2 to 3 bush bean plants. I think 4 plants should do okay in the 12" container. Personally, though, I would probably use a 4-gallon container for 4 bush bean plants, just to hedge my bets a bit. 
A full-sized tomato plant will grow fine in a 5-gallon bucket, but I use containers that are about 20" in diameter. Tomatoes have large root systems, and a little extra space won't hurt them. Tomato plants are also very thirsty, so a little extra soil around the roots can allow for slightly less frequent watering.
The Extension Service offers [url=https://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1647.html]this article[/url] that has a chart showing the amount of soil different sized containers will hold.
HTH! And a warm welcome to you! I hope you enjoy the forum!
A full-sized tomato plant will grow fine in a 5-gallon bucket, but I use containers that are about 20" in diameter. Tomatoes have large root systems, and a little extra space won't hurt them. Tomato plants are also very thirsty, so a little extra soil around the roots can allow for slightly less frequent watering.
The Extension Service offers [url=https://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1647.html]this article[/url] that has a chart showing the amount of soil different sized containers will hold.
HTH! And a warm welcome to you! I hope you enjoy the forum!
