If you are an experienced gardener, then you probably already have done some container gardening. Over the past couple of years, this method has become increasingly popular for a couple of reasons- 1) better accessibility, which is a consideration for gardeners with mobility challenges; and 2) the fact that you don’t need any land but can adapt it to various urban environments from balconies to patios, terraces, rooftops and more.
Additionally, container gardening is a growing method that can deliver a great crop yield even if you don’t have a patch of ground for your garden. Of course, not every plant is well suited for container gardening.
This article is intended to help you understand the key concepts behind container gardening, as well as figure out the vegetables that you may want to grow using this method. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get growing!
The Advantages of Container Gardening
There are a number of reasons to consider container gardening. First and foremost, it is incredibly versatile and will allow you to grow vegetables almost anywhere you want, whether that is on a balcony, window sill, deck, rooftop, or indoors using LEDs as an artificial light source.
Additionally, you can experiment with growing certain vegetables/plants that aren’t native to your region or might not thrive in your type of garden soil. Another plus you might not have considered is that you can grow a wide range of plants with different soil, nutrient, light and other requirements making use of different containers. Your Meyer lemon tree and your tomato plants can grow next to each other. Tough to do that with a garden in the ground.
One of the most important benefits of container gardening is the accessibility. You don’t need to have any kind of previous experience in order to enjoy this gardening method. Children and people with limited mobility can successfully grow plants in containers.
You will also be happy to know that you won’t have to invest much effort in weeding or buying garden tools. Because the surface area is much smaller it isn’t that attractive for weeds. Additionally, you will be saving money, as you won’t need to invest in a tool shed full of gardening tools, given the fact that this type of growing requires less maintenance.
Fertilizing and controlling pesky pests, as well as coping with plant diseases, is much easier than when plants are grown in a regular garden. Last but certainly not least, you have complete control of organizing your garden containers in decorative pots and using your creativity to create lots of visual appeal.
Vegetables to Grow in Containers
Growing in containers reduces many risks that are common for classic in-ground gardening. Certain vegetables thrive in container conditions so let’s take a look at a few of them for you to consider in getting your container garden started.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the quintessential garden produce. If you have some gardening experience, then you already know that growing and harvesting a summer tomato is incredibly satisfying and doesn’t require a lot of effort.
The same is true for growing a container tomato plant.
Some varieties of tomatoes will do better in containers. Cherry and other miniature tomatoes are ideal. But it is also possible to grow large varieties. Either way, the larger a container you plant your plant in, the better. In addition to the plant, you’ll also need to allow for a wire tomato cage or and stakes to support the vine and fruits as the plant matures.
When planting tomatoes in a container, you will want to set them deep into the soil. Also, make sure that the container has good drainage. Tomatoes are thirsty and a self-watering pot system is a great idea to help keep them well hydrated during hot summer days. The more sun exposure the better for optimal tomato growth.
One final and unique option for tomato growing is to grow them “upside down”. This method works well if you have a balcony with a ceiling. Check out ready-made upside down tomato planters and give them some consideration if you have the right space for it..
Peas
The second vegetable that we would like to suggest when it comes to container gardening is peas. Peas are a cool weather crop. The advantage of this is that you can start them early in the year and can get two harvests by planting them in early spring and then again in early autumn.
Peas are ideal for cultivating in pots. They are fast growing, low maintenance and great for beginners. They don’t need a lot of fertilizer; a good potting soil should suffice. But they do need plenty of sun and as mentioned, they prefer cool weather. They will quit producing in hot weather.
Most peas grow as vines, so you will need a trellis or something else for them to climb on. Use a larger pot at least 12 inches deep (a 5 gallon bucket works great) and good drainage. They need plenty of water as well. In a larger pot you can have 4-6 plants growing at a time.
Potatoes
They may not be the first thing that you think of when iti comes to container vegetables, but another fantastic option is potatoes. They don’t require much. First, you need a large pot or planting bag, ideally something at least 15 inches deep and equal diameter. Then you need good, loamy soil. Make sure then pot has good drainage and full sun exposure and you are pretty much set.
Planting & growing potatoes is easy. First, you will need some “seed” potatoes. You can get them from seed catalogs or garden centers. Grocery store potatoes are less likely to work as they may hav been treated to inhibit sprouting.
When you are ready to plant, prep your potatoes. You can plant them whole or cut them into pieces with at least 2 eyes on each piece.
Next fill your pot or potato planting bag with 4-6 inches of soil. Place your seed potatoes in the soil – about 4 to a large pot. Then cover them with another 1-2 inches of soil. You don’t want to fill the pot entirely. As the potato plants grow, – once the get a six or more inches in height – you want to start adding and “hilling” more soil around the stems of the plants. Do this until your soil is at the top of the pot. More potatoes will grow from where you’ve covered the stems.
As mentioned, your potatoes need a lot of sun- 8 hours is ideal. And they are thirsty, so make sure you water them regularly. Don’t let the soil dry out. This is important if you growing space gets hot. You may want to set up drip irrigation.
Once the potato plants flower you can start harvesting. Potato growing bags come with velcro flaps that make this a lot easer. But you will need to gently (using just your hands is best) dig into the soil to unearth potatoes.
Potatoes really are easy and pot grown, they are much less susceptible to pests and fungus attacks. And the earthy, fresh flavor of potatoes is totally worth the effort.
Salad Greens/Lettuce
Last but certainly not least among the best container grown vegetables are salad greens. Greens are not only nutritious and easy to grow, they are also fast growing.
You can plant greens early in the Spring and late into the Fall and start harvesting many varieties after just a few weeks. Once you harvest you can plant again. Depending on your location you can have several crops in a growing season. Greens are also great for indoor growing.
You also have a wide variety to choose from. With lettuce alone there are dozens of varieties. Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, cress, arugula and more are options available to you. .
And you don’t need a lot in terms of big pots or containers. Simple pots are all you need. If you are looking for a vegetable that can be grown efficiently in a container, greens are one of your best options. Not only because they are easy to grow, but also because growing your own is both satisfying and tastes much better!
Summary
These are just a few of the best vegetables for container gardening that you can choose from. Container gardening is an efficient method for growing a range of vegetables, including as potatoes, squash, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and hot/sweet peppers. It requires less effort than regular in-in-ground gardening, and in most cases, you will get faster and tastier final results. Good luck and enjoy planting your delicious veggies!