Map light and access
Observe the intended area during the main growing season and record when direct sunlight reaches each part. Walls, railings and neighbouring buildings can produce sharp differences over a short distance. Use the sunniest positions for crops that need them and reserve lower-light places for plants that tolerate those conditions.
Keep doors, paths, drains and emergency access clear. Leave room to water, inspect foliage and harvest without moving heavy pots. Where a balcony, roof or raised structure is involved, confirm load and safety limits with an appropriate responsible source before adding containers, wet compost and stored water.
Match the container to the mature crop
Choose volume and depth for the mature root system, not for the seedling at planting time. Larger containers usually change temperature and moisture more slowly than small pots, but they are heavy once filled. Use the Grow Planner to compare crops that can suit container growing and the space available per plant.
Check that every container has effective drainage and a stable base. Avoid allowing pots to sit in stagnant water unless the growing method specifically requires it. Place tall or top-heavy plants where suitable supports can be secured without creating a trip or fall hazard.
Plan plant numbers and spacing
Write the final number of plants for each pot and mark their mature spread. Crowding may give a quick display but increases competition for light, water and nutrients and can make inspection difficult. If a packet suggests close sowing for baby-leaf harvests, treat that as a different plan from growing full-sized plants.
Mixed containers work best when their occupants have compatible moisture, light, root-space and feeding needs. A fast catch crop can use temporary space around a slower plant if it has a clear harvest date before serious competition begins.
Create watering zones
Group containers by how quickly they dry rather than scattering similar crops throughout the space. Pot material, volume, foliage, sun and wind all affect demand. Make the driest group easy to reach and check. If using an automatic system, test delivery to the end of every line and keep a manual backup.
Plan where excess water will drain and avoid causing slippery surfaces or problems for neighbours. A mulch may reduce surface evaporation, but moisture still needs to be checked below it. Add each container group to the garden watering plan.
Account for compost and feeding
Use a growing medium suited to the crop and container method. Record whether it is new, refreshed or reused and what amendments were added. Containers have a finite supply of nutrients, but feeding should follow the needs of the crop and the product used rather than a single routine for every pot.
Decide what will happen to the growing medium when a crop finishes. Healthy material may have another suitable use; material associated with a serious plant-health problem may need different handling. Avoid promising the same pot to a follow-on crop until this decision is made.
Draw seasonal versions
Create early-, main- and late-season plans showing which containers become free and which need protection. Reserve storage space for empty pots and supports. Record actual varieties, planting dates and results in the garden journal so next year's container choices reflect real performance.