You can have fruits, vegetables, and herbs year round. No, you don't have to walk it like a dog, or send it to college, but you do need to provide five basic elements for a healthy, long life. The growing medium should be light and fluffy, absorb water, and drain well. Don't use garden soil. It's too heavy and may contain disease organisms.
Heavy soil compacts in containers and slows water and oxygen from reaching the root zone.
Perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss are used in mixes to add porosity for faster drainage and more oxygen around plant roots. Also don't add crushed rock to the bottom of the pot. That actually makes drainage worse, not better. If you are investing in expensive plants, then buy the best potting soil available. The container should fit the plant and allow room for at least a year of growth.