Container gardening can be as simple as putting a potted plant on your porch. But even the simplest garden can become a big mess or a legal nightmare without proper planning. Here are a few things to consider when setting up your containers:

• Have good catch basins or other ways of dealing with drainage so water run-off won't annoy your neighbors, or cause stains or damage to your building.

• Use existing structures for shade and support. Make sure your balcony, windowsill, or roof can handle what you're going to do on it.

• For hanging supports, find a solid beam to put plant hooks into - remember, your plants will get heavier as they grow.

• Put rollers under big pots before filling them with plants and soil, so you can move them if you need to.

• Give yourself room to get between pots to clean. Make sure you can sweep and even mop around your plants. Inevitably, water will run off and leaves will fall.

• Make sure you can get close enough to your plants to water and take care of them.