Plus, the best varieties of each to plant in the South.

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Container gardening is a smart way to add growing space without having to create new garden beds.

Bonus: Containers help keep your veggies out of the reach of hungry garden visitors, such as rabbits.

Lettuce growing in pot

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They do especially well in self-watering containers to deliver a steady level of moisture.

They love hot weather, so dont plant them in containers until all danger of frost has passed.

But new varieties have been bred specifically for containers.

Quickfire Pepper in pot

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Because cukes need warm soil to germinate and grow, plant seeds in the garden after the last frost.

A small trellis in your container will help keep the fruit off the soil to prevent disease.

In the fall, plant a few months before the first expected frost.

Cucumber plant growing in pot

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Keep the soil slightly moist.

Basil loves hot weather, so plant a few different varieties to enjoy throughout the summer.

They love the heat and grow best when temperatures are between 70 to 85 degrees.

Lettuce growing in pots on a deck

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Youll find varieties that are dark purple, white, pink, green, or rose-colored.

Eggplants prefer consistent moisture, so they also do well in self-watering containers.

Or choose a compact variety that is specifically bred for containers.

Basil growing in pot

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Eggplant plant in pot

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Tomato plant in a plant pot.

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