Start a Container Garden for Under $30 This Weekend
You don't need land or a big backyard. A few containers on a porch, balcony, or windowsill can grow enough food to make a real difference in your grocery bill.
By BttB Admin · May 15, 2026🛒What You'll Need
- ✓3-5 containers (buckets, old pots, or 5-gallon buckets — free or cheap)
- ✓Potting mix or garden soil ($5-10)
- ✓Seeds or seedlings: tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, herbs ($5-10)
- ✓Watering can or hose
Step-by-Step
Start the guide to check off steps as you go.
Choose your containers
Any container 6-12 inches deep works. 5-gallon buckets from hardware stores cost ~$4 each. Old pots, crates lined with plastic bags, even large cans all work. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom — poke them with a nail if not.
Pick what to grow
Start with what your family eats. Easiest crops for beginners: lettuce and salad greens (ready in 30 days), herbs like basil and cilantro (saves $3-4/bunch at the store), cherry tomatoes (one plant feeds a family all summer), green onions (re-grow from store-bought roots — free!).
Fill containers and plant
Fill containers with potting mix to 1 inch below the rim. Follow seed packet depth instructions (usually plant seeds 2x as deep as the seed is wide). Water immediately after planting.
Find the right spot
Most vegetables need 6+ hours of direct sunlight. South-facing windows, balconies, and porches usually work well. If you have limited sun, focus on leafy greens — they do fine with just 3-4 hours.
Water consistently
Container plants dry out faster than ground plants. Check the soil daily — stick your finger 1 inch in. If it's dry, water it. Most containers need watering every 1-2 days in warm weather. Water at the base, not the leaves.
💡 Tips & Notes
Start small and succeed before expanding. Two or three containers you actually water and care for will produce more than ten you forget about. Herbs alone will save you $20-30/month at the grocery store. Save seeds from your best plants to replant next season — completely free.