Veggie Land: Growing Bell Peppers, Tomatoes & Jalapeños in Pots

Green Bell Peppers are getting big

Editor's Note (2026): This post was written during one of my first serious container vegetable gardens. Looking back, I was surprised how productive tomatoes and peppers could be in pots with regular watering and plenty of Texas sunshine.

Why We Love Container Gardening

• Perfect for beginners.
• Easier weed control.
• Better drainage.
• Move plants when weather changes.
• Great for patios and small yards.
• Easier to protect from rabbits and other wildlife.

Vegetables That Grow Well in Containers

• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Jalapeños
• Malabar spinach
• New Zealand spinach
• Green onions
• Lettuce
• Bush beans
• Herbs
• Eggplant

Watering During Texas Summers

• Containers dry out quickly.
• Morning watering is usually best.
• Mulch helps conserve moisture.
• Deep watering encourages stronger roots.

Oh my goodness, I have two pots of bell peppers and they are getting HUGE! They are already "store" size, but are still growing. I'm amazed these plants can hold their heads up.

Large Tomatoes on the vine

We need rain! We've been having to water the plants every day consistently. But so far, everything is thriving. As you can see the tomatoes are ripening.

Those are cherry tomatoes in the back. Pamela and I have been eating from the vine since May, so we are definitely getting an early start. I'll probably start some fresh tomato plants (from seedlings) this week.

Tomorrow, I'm dragging out the push mower and going to do some yard work then swim before I run my store errands. Today we had a heat index of 101. So far so good in keeping our AC off during the day. We swim twice a day and run our fans. When evening hits (about dinner time) we turn on the AC. This has been saving us on our bill - especially since we run the pool filter about 6-8 hours a day.

Serrano Hot Peppers

The hot peppers are still growing...

Jalapeno Peppers are getting bigger

Jalapeno...

I'm anxious to head to the farm and check out the watermelons. This past weekend I purchased some cantaloups on sale for $1.50 apiece. They tasted funny, so I had to toss them out. In fact, one slice stung my mouth (can anyone figure out why?) No discoloration or anything. 

I'm thinking of digging a watermelon patch on the side of my house... but I'm thinking of all the hard work involved. It's a jungle on that side of the house!

How's everyone else's garden going? Any suggestions for other vegetables (that likes pots?)

One reason I enjoy container gardening is that almost anyone can grow at least a few vegetables—even without a large yard. A handful of pots on a patio or balcony can provide fresh produce while building valuable gardening experience.

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Greener in Greenhouse: Starting a Year-Round Garden in Texas