You don’t need a garden, a greenhouse, a special kit or a big space to start growing your own herbs, flowers, or vegetables. In fact, you can do that with just a container, some compost, and a bit of sunshine.

Anything from old crates to buckets to tubs can make perfectly good planters, and turning one into a home for veg or flowers can take as little as half an hour. Want to know how to get started? Well, we have some handy tips for you.

What you’ll need

First, pick a container; whether it is a crate, tub, or old bucket, all work well, but you can use just about any container from a teacup to a bath. You’ll also need the following:

• A pin, nail, or drill for making drainage holes
• Small stones or bits of broken crockery
• Potting compost
• Plants or seeds

Getting started

The first step is to make sure the planter has adequate drainage. Make a few holes in the base of your container so excess water has somewhere to go. Otherwise, the roots can quickly become waterlogged and start to rot. Next, place a layer of small stones or broken crockery over the holes to help prevent the compost from washing straight through.

Once that’s sorted, fill the container with compost right up to the top, then firm it down gently with your hands. Be sure to then give the compost a good watering before you plant anything. A damp bed settles the compost and gives seeds or young plants the best possible start.

Next comes the fun part. Plant your seeds or young plants with a bit of space between them, so they’ve got room to grow without crowding each other out. All you need to do then is to stand your planter somewhere sunny, and you’re growing things!

Looking after it

Containers are liable to dry out faster than the surrounding open ground, so water little and often rather than waiting for plants to look thirsty. Check the compost every few days by pressing a finger into it: if it feels dry an inch or two down, it’s time to water. Keep an eye on the drainage holes too, in case they clog up over time.

That’s all there is to it. A simple planter is a brilliant way to start growing wherever you are or whatever space you have – a windowsill, a yard, or a spare corner of the garden – and it’s just as satisfying whether you’re eight years old or eighty.