On Billups Creek in Mathews two years ago, due to a tomato virus infecting his vegetable garden, Alex Hudgins could no longer plant tomatoes, eggplant and peppers in their usual locations.

Undeterred, Alex turned to container gardening, while retaining his standard garden for other fruits and vegetables. It was a wise decision. According to his wife Bonnie, “It’s the best kind of garden, especially for retired people. The products come in faster and you just step outside and pick your crop. No stooping or bending.”

The 10- and 15-gallon used for this special method of gardening look similar to large shopping bags with two handles but are known as reusable grow bags. So successful was this method in the first year that other vegetables were added the second year.

Today, growing and producing just 20 yards from his fenced garden which contains squash, watermelons, cantaloupes, basil, black-eyed peas, and string beans, are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, Swiss chard, po...