Grow Fruits and Vegetables Anywhere

For soil, bagged container mixes work well. Don't use mixes labeled for starting seeds or growing specific kinds of plants—unless you're growing blueberries, when the high acidity of a rhododendron-camellia mix is perfect.

Look for special container vegetable-garden plants offered by some companies (try Renee's Garden); these are often especially attractive, productive, and compact varieties.

Shown: A window-box herb garden allows for easy snipping.