Plants for pots

Bigger pots are easier: they hold more water and don't swing between soggy and bone-dry. Use potting mix, not garden soil, and make sure every pot has drainage holes. Pots dry out quickly in summer, even in the cool west-side climate, so plan on watering every day or two in July and August.

Put sun-lovers like tomatoes, peppers and basil in your sunniest spot, ideally against a south or west wall that holds heat. Greens and parsley are fine with a few hours of sun. In winter, raise pots on feet so they drain, and group perennial pots against the house in hard freezes.