@lioness One of my neighbors has two of above ground planters on her patio and I may try one next summer. She ordered these online and I was dubious at first. Looks like the way to go. Rather like hydroponincs except with dirt and not water alone.

@lioness Raised gardening is what my husband and I have done. Many of the home improvement stores have a “kit” for raised beds. We also use beautiful lightweight extra large pots. Instead of filling them solely with soil, packing peanuts — those styrofoam shapes that protect items during shipping — or water bottles in the bottom of the pot before soil and plants are added. I grow some tasty cherry tomatoes on my patio this way. Having fibromyalgia and chronic spine pain I find sitting on a low step stool while working with my plants helps.