Desert Gardening 101
  • Home
  • About
  • Classes
  • Consultations
  • Speaking
  • Book
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Pinterest
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Youtube

Vegetable and Flower Containers

Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, Containers, Flowering Annuals, Vegetable Gardening
Growing_Vegetables_in_Containers
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.*

Last winter, I was enjoying a rare moment of peace….no kids or husband in the house, the garden didn’t need any attention and no articles to write. So, I decided to see what was on television.  As I was channel surfing, I saw a gardening show and of course, I stopped and watched.

What I saw was the host and featured garden expert, showing how to grow vegetables and flowers together in containers. Since I love both vegetables and flowers, I was intrigued.  So I bought the book written by the featured garden expert and got started.

I found nice plastic containers on sale along with some tiny trellises, as well as planting mix (NOT potting soil, which gets too soggy for container plants).
Planting mix is specially formulated for containers – it has a light texture and holds just the right amount of moisture for plants.

Then, I started planting.  I came up with the vegetable and flower combinations on my own and I must admit that I was happy how they turned out…

 growing flowers in containers

The first container has purple violas, spinach, bell pepper plant and nasturtiums. I started all of these from transplants, except for the nasturtiums, which came from seed that I planted.

I periodically snip the spinach for salads and I have harvested a single bell pepper so far.  However, there are flowers on my pepper plant, so more peppers are on the way.

 growing flowers in containers

This container was planted with red and green leaf lettuce, pink dianthus and cucumbers.

I snip the lettuce for salad and the dianthus has been blooming nonstop. The only problem that I have had with this container are the cucumbers.

Cucumbers do best when started from seed, not transplants.  I have grown a lot of cucumbers over the years.  So, I placed two small trellises in the back of the container and planted cucumber seeds at their base. I picked a variety of cucumbers that were small and would do well in a container.

Unfortunately, they never came up.

I tried planting them in my regular vegetable garden and they never came up.

I tried starting them indoors and they didn’t sprout.

*I had purchased the seeds online from a very reputable seed company, but the entire package of seeds was defective.

So I planted my go-to cucumber seeds and they are starting to grow beautifully.

 growing flowers in containers

My last vegetable/flower container has romaine lettuce, sugar snap peas and Icelandic poppies.

The lettuce has done very well, BUT my little dog discovered that he likes lettuce, and he would take some little bites from the sides of the lettuce.  I simply put some plastic patio chairs around the pot and he kept away.  Later, I took the chairs away and he left the lettuce alone.

The poppies haven’t bloomed yet, but I can see their buds, so it won’t be long now.

I have been picking off sugar snap peas every time I am in the garden and eating them on the spot.

So, does the idea of growing vegetables and flowers together appeal to you?

The book I read was “Easy Container Combos: Vegetables and Flowers” by Pamela Crawford. (I haven’t been asked to promote her book – I bought it myself and really enjoyed it so much).

I can’t wait to try some different combos this summer once the lettuce fades away.  I promise I will share 🙂

**One thing I love so much about gardening is trying new things. This one was a home run for me.  

Growing Annuals: An Unusual Flower Container

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Growing_Vegetables_in_Containers-1.jpg 522 640 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2012-04-14 18:32:002021-02-07 10:07:53Vegetable and Flower Containers
You might also like
vegetable_garden_raised_bed_flood_irrigated_lot A Broken Leg and a Vegetable Garden
red poppies Poppies in the Vegetable Garden
Newly Planted Vegetable My Newly Planted Vegetable Gardens
Marigolds and Dianthus Unique Containers: Day 5 – Flowers on the Move
vegetables in a grocery bag Favorite DIY Posts – Day 6: Growing Vegetables in a Grocery Bag
New-Vegetable-Garden-Southwest My First Edible Garden 4 Years Later
5 replies
  1. Jane
    Jane says:
    April 14, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    I'm trying exactly the same experiment this year, flowers, herbs & vegetables sharing the same pots. Hope mine turn out as great as your. 🙂

  2. A Daughter of the King
    A Daughter of the King says:
    April 14, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Flowers and veggies make beautiful companions!

  3. Terra
    Terra says:
    April 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    Your containers look both pretty and useful with the combinations. Many veggies are pretty, like rainbow chard, and your nasturtiums contrast nicely with their blue pot.

  4. Noell
    Noell says:
    March 2, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    I would not have thought you could fit all of that in those pots because I’m always hearing/reading that you need to space your plantings out more. These all seem pretty packed in (and they look lovely). I wish I understood why I read instruction to space them out for beds, while they seem to be flourishing while packed together in your pots.

  5. arizonaplantlady@gmail.com
    arizonaplantlady@gmail.com says:
    March 2, 2020 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Noell,

    You’d be amazed at what you can fit into a container. One popular book called, The Square Foot Garden, gets into the detail of how many vegetable plants grow in a square foot. When planting annuals, you’ll often find them squeezed in tightly together, doing fine. This is usually because they aren’t permanent plantings but annuals.

Comments are closed.

Get My Free Guide to Gardening in the Desert

You’ll receive helpful tips from me in your inbox. I write these with you in mind to help you succeed in the desert garden. I will never share your information with anyone else, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Policy

Connect With Me!

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

noelle-johnson-az-plant-ladyNoelle Johnson: AZ PLANT LADY®

Author, Horticulturist, Landscape Consultant & Lover of Blue Pots

Check out my popular online classes!

Have a Question? Search Past Posts

Want More Tips? Connect with me in my Facebook Group!

 

Shrub Pruning Booklet: Say “No” to ball, square & cupcake-shaped shrubs!

Spiral-bound pruning guide booklet for shrubs

Product of the Month: Leather Gardening Gloves

 

Spring is the busiest time of year for pruning plants. Are your hands ready? A good pair of leather gloves is really important. My Bamllum gloves have a good grip and offer great protection.

 

Amazon Disclosure

AZ Plant Lady, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.

Privacy & Policy, Disclaimer & Disclosure

 

“…and the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35:1

© 2008-2025
Noelle Johnson
All Rights Reserved.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Popular Classes and Membership Club

desert gardening 101 class logo

Shop for My Recommended Garden Products:

Sign-Up For My Free Guide to Gardening in the Desert!

I promise not to sell or share your email with anyone ever!

*Please note that I cannot answer individual gardening questions.

Privacy Policy

Order My Newest Book!

The Water-Smart Garden Book

My Award-Winning Book!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
© Copyright 2025 - azplantlady.com       Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Pinterest
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Youtube
Link to: A ‘Big’ Vegetable Harvest Link to: A ‘Big’ Vegetable Harvest A ‘Big’ Vegetable Harvestcauliflower Link to: ‘Secret’ Tips for Roses Link to: ‘Secret’ Tips for Roses ‘Secret’ Tips for Roses Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT