Although there is no such thing as perfect vegetable planting, container vegetable gardening comes close by decreasing weather and rodent difficulties. Another advantage of container gardening is that it does not require a large area or an in-ground garden patch.
Nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and fast-growing crops like peas and lettuce are the easiest vegetables to produce in containers. Check out these ten vegetables that you can grow even if you don't have a garden plot but have a sunny patio, porch, or balcony.
Tips
Moisture and nutrients will last longer in a considerable amount of soil. To limit your margin of error, you might want to start with a larger container than you think you'll need.
Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum)
Tomatoes in containers are simple to grow and highly rewarding. The majority of tomatoes thrive in large containers and will require staking or a tomato cage. This support prevents the vines from bending and breaking due to the heavy fruit.
When purchasing tomato seedlings, seek short, stocky plants that have not yet blossomed. Keep in mind that the larger the tomato type, the larger the pot. A small cherry tomato will not require as much space and soil as a giant beefsteak tomato.
Tomatoes dislike being exposed to the cold, so don't plant them too early. Before you plant seedlings, make sure you harden them off or gradually adapt them to outdoor life. Tomatoes are grown more quickly than most other plants. Dogs and cats should be kept away from this plant. If pets eat the leaves, they will be poisoned.
- USDA Growing Zones: This plant can be grown as an annual in any zone.
- Exposure to the sun: full sun
- Soil requirements: deep, wet, and well-drained
Peas with beans (Pisum sativum)
Peas can be raised in the early spring and again in the fall when the weather cools down. English peas, snow peas, and sugar snap peas are the three types of peas. Because they feed the soil with nitrogen, they are ideal for succession planting. Most peas, depending on the variety, will require some assistance.
Early April is the best time to plant them. Pull them out once the weather warms up and they've finished producing, and replace them with something else in that container. Nitrogen is an essential ingredient for enriching the soil in preparation for the next crop of plants. Peas are a great food to plant with your kids because they grow swiftly and readily.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 2–11
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Soil requirements: well-drained, enriched, or loamy soil
Sweet potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
Freshly picked potatoes have a completely different flavor from store-bought potatoes. To usher in the freshness of spring, they have higher water content and a harsh, earthy flavor.
Growing potatoes in containers requires substantial soil and water, but it is well worth the time and work. Containers also provide additional protection against fungus or blight (Phtophthora infestans), more easily spread among in-ground plants.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 through 10B
- Exposure to the sun: full sun
- Soil Requirements: Loamy soil with good drainage
Squash (Curcurbita)
Squash is simple to produce veggie, and squash blossoms are lovely, delicate edibles. Most squashes need a lot of room and a big container to grow in. Lots of light, adequate soil, and frequent watering and feeding are all ideal growing conditions.
If you're planning to grow a winter squash-like butternut squash in a container, be sure it's not one of the huge varieties, which may weigh up to 20 pounds and collapse containers. Honeybear is an award-winning smaller acorn squash type, and you can even grow little pumpkins.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3–10
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Soil requirements: rich soil with good drainage
Salad Greens and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
It's simple to grow lettuce and other salad greens in containers. Container gardening allows you to control weeds and pests than in-ground planting more easily. Although newer types are developed to endure summer heat, most lettuces and salad greens are spring crops. As the growing season progresses, you can also lengthen your harvest by shifting your container to a cooler, shadier location.
Lettuce does not require nearly as much sunlight as other veggies. Johnny's Elegance Greens Mix and Hudson Valley Seed Library's Mesclun Mix are two excellent salad greens and mesclun mixes for container gardens that taste wonderful and look beautiful in decorative pots.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4–9
- Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
- Soil Requirements: Moist, Fertile Soil
Peppers, both hot and sweet (Capsicum annuum)
Both hot and sweet peppers, especially orange and purple sweet peppers in pots, can be stunning. They do well in grow boxes, but they can also be grown in any large container with plenty of light, proper drainage, and regular watering. Peppers do not thrive in dry or too damp soil. One of the most significant advantages of growing peppers in pots is bringing your plants inside if your area is subjected to continuous storms for several days. Peppers are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and colors. Hot peppers come in a variety of heat levels, from moderate to scorching to barely edible.
o USDA Growing Zones: Annuals are grown in all zones.
o Exposure to the sun: full sun
o Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are fast-growing, container-grown vegetables. Large plastic or ceramic pots that assist keep soil moisture are ideal for these water-loving plants. Cucumbers in containers are a terrific method to provide them with the heat they crave (hotter ambient temperatures raise soil temperature quicker in pots than in-ground).
Cucumbers come in two varieties: bush and vining. You can also plant a kind that is more typically used for pickling or one that is more commonly eaten. Both types are delicious in salads, but cucumber slices do not make good pickles. In a container, either of these plants can thrive. Bush cucumbers are shorter and produce fewer cucumbers. A trellis or tomato cage is required for vining cucumbers.
- Zones 4 through 12 of the USDA Plant Hardiness Scale
- Exposure to the sun: full sun to partial shade
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, wet, fertilizer-rich soil
Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes grow swiftly; most take only a month to grow from seed to harvest. They also don't require much space, as they can grow in 4 to 6 inch deep containers. In hot weather, these plants will bolt, but you can easily regulate this by putting them into the shade or providing water to cool them down. Because there are so many varieties, you can choose your seeds depending on their beauty and flavor; some are lovely. The tops or radish greens, as well as the pods, are edible.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun and light shade
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 10
- Soil Requirements: Moist soil with good drainage
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)
The spicy leaves of arugula are delicious, while the edible blooms are a delightful treat. They're also rather lovely. Arugula does not require a large container; an 8-inch-deep, 6-inch-diameter pot will suffice. Another advantage of growing arugula in a container is the ability to move it around. Arugula requires about 6 hours in direct sunlight but prefers shade in the afternoon. It's ideal for giving this plant full morning sun and partial sun in the afternoon
- Sun Exposure: Full sun and some shade
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Moist soil with good drainage
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Eggplant is a wonderful vegetable that can also be used as a decoration. Avoid using some kinds of eggplant in your container garden because they can quickly proliferate and become dense.
Look for compact cultivars such as 'Fairytale' and 'Hansel,' which are attractive and delicious. This plant's roots and bushy growth require large containers to maintain them. Also, if you're buying ceramic pots, go for glazed pots, which hold water better.
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 12
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, evenly wet soil
