Herbs, tomatoes, blueberries, nasturtiums and many other edibles can flourish in window boxes, pots, hanging baskets and recycled containers.

The only limitation is our imagination and willingness to experiment. Remember: Every good gardener has killed many plants along the learning curve.

Some basics to get started:

Assess light conditions. Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers need 6 to 8 hours of direct sun; Asian greens, loose-leaf lettuces, mints, basil, parsley and other herbs flourish in part shade and as little as 3 hours of sun.

Vary the pots to suit the plants: leafy greens, herbs and cherry tomatoes or hot peppers can grow in smaller 1- to 3-gallon containers; a full-size tomato or eggplant does better in a 4- to 5-gallon container.