Garden Planning! - Container Sizes

Ahhhh, it was so nice again today.  I don't trust that it will stay this way forever as March and April are the snowiest months for Colorado.  80 degree day coming up, I am not fooled!

I am back in planning mode as veggie planting is just around the corner.  I have figured out my dream list of veggies for the year which will determine the size of container I need.  I am getting more adventurous this year!  The dream list is:

-Kale
-Spring Greens
-Spinach
-Peas
-Cucumber
-Beans (probably bush)
-Tomato
-Peppers (Jalapeño and Poblano)
-Okra
-Carrots
-Radish
-Potato
-Strawberries

So what size of containers go with each of these?  It depends on the plant and how much room the root needs.  I have to constantly remind myself right plant, right pot, right place.  There is also a general rule the plant will only grow as big as your pot, which means the bigger the pot the better.  Not only will you produce more, but the plant will be able to withstand temperature changes more.  For example, last year I planted my lettuce in a general sized window box and it did great because it is short rooted.  But, my tomato and jalapeños could have used a larger containers because they have longer root systems.

Here are a few inspiration shots and the size of pots in the pictures:

Okra:  Pamela Crawford.  According to her book, this is a 16" container and it produces a lot of okra's.  I am going to use this as a shade plant for my roof as it loves heat and it gets really big!

Carrots: from Edible Herbs and Flowers.  These carrots were in 2' containers.  The variety of carrots I used last year didn't need as large of a pot.  Back to plant the right plant in the right size pot by knowing how big the root will get.  The same goes with radishes.

Strawberries:  You Grow Girl.  I going to take the adventure with this and hope it works in my zone and little microclimate!  They are shallow rooted so they should grow in pretty much any container

Potato Towers:  I am looking forward to creating these and putting them on the roof!  Sunset magazine didn't give the size, but I found another site that states to make it 18" in diameter.

Tomato:  Pamela Crawford.  I have to include these as they are the go to vegetables for container gardening.  They root to 18" or larger depending on the variety, therefore I am planning on a 20" x 20" container this year.

As the season progresses I will be documenting the container sizes I am using to plant my dream veggie list.  I am planning on hitting up my favorite nursery late next week to get supplies to start my cool season veggies!  So excited!