Q.

Can you please tell me how deep a pot needs to be to grow zucchini, brassicas, carrots, and spinach. I want to try gardening in pots this summer.

Louise Amitrano

A.

Choose a container that is at least 25-30cm in diameter and 20-30cm deep, with drainage holes in the bottom. A smaller pot will dry out too quickly and not hold enough water and nutrients, especially if you are growing brassicas.
Garden centres and hardware stores have a range of affordable vegetable planters, they also have a pot recycling scheme where you can sometimes find suitable pots.
Vegetables can be grown in 9 litre buckets, as well as flexi tubs with holes drilled in the bottom, the blue council type glass recycling bins are a good size for growing vegetables in.
Try to avoid over-planting so plants don't become overcrowded and compete for nutrients and water.
The aim is to keep plants actively growing so they don't get stressed due to lack of water as they will bolt and go to seed, so consistent watering in the growing season is the key to success.
Use a quality free draining potting mix such as Tui Vegetable mix which has a natural bark and pumice base, contains sheep pellets, blood and bone, dolomite lime as well as a controlled release fertiliser and starter fertiliser for upfront feeding to prevent transplant shock.
In the growing season apply Tui Superfood Vegetable and Herb liquid fertiliser weekly to keep plants healthy and actively growing, to ensure a bumper crop.