To start container gardening, find a sunny spot like a porch or patio with at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight daily. Some greens, like lettuce and spinach, can tolerate partial shade. 

Ensure that all plants chosen match the sunlight requirements of the chosen location for planting. Sunlight requirements are typically 6-10 hours for vegetables. If the area is shaded, select plants that can thrive in such conditions to ensure successful growth.

Use containers at least 8 inches deep for all plant varieties other than herbs or lettuce. Larger containers will be required for some plants. 

For more information, see the "Sowing and Reaping Guide" resource.

You can make your own compost using biodegradable items like fruit scraps, vegetables, and leaves. 

Any organic waste from your kitchen can be used for this. Instead of throwing away things like spoiled fruits and vegetables like bananas, tomatoes, onions, avocados, and potato peels, you can add them to your compost pile. 

For more information, see the "Creating a Compost Bin" resource.

Companion planting is about planting different types of plants together to help each other grow better. Some plants release natural chemicals, and planting them next to each other can support one another's growth. 

Planting different types of plants together has been proven to make plants healthier, increase the amount you can harvest, naturally control pests, and bring essential pollinators to your garden. 

See the companion planing guide in resources section for more information.

Dealing with pests or insects is always a possibility with gardening. Some of the common garden pests are slugs, snails, aphids, ants, and cutworms. Insecticides and pesticides are available for purchase, but home remedies are also an option. 

Homemade insecticidal soap: 

Mix 5 tablespoons of regular dishwashing liquid soap with 1 gallon of water. 

For a strong solution, you may add more soap, steep 6 cloves of garlic, or 1 small chopped onion in hot water overnight. 

Spray this solution on plants to eliminate insects like aphids, mites, leafhoppers, spiders, white flies, mealy bugs, and eggs/larvae. 

This does not cause harm to beneficial critters. 

For more information, see the "Dealing with Pests and Insects" resource.

Timing is crucial; methods vary for "wet" and "dry" seeds. For wet-seeded plants (e.g., tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers): Gather ripe fruit, soak seeds, stir daily until viable seeds sink, rinse, and dry. For dry-seeded plants (e.g., peas and beans): Wait until pods are dry and brown, remove, dry indoors, then shell. For flowers and herbs: Collect seeds when flowers finish blooming and heads turn brown. 

Storage: 

• Keep seeds dry and cool in sealed glass containers or packets.

• Refrigerate seeds at 32°F to 41°F.

• Use a drying agent like silica gel or powdered milk to prevent humidity.

• Label seeds with name, variety, and collection date; use within a year for best results.

For more information, see the "Harvesting Seeds" resource.