Growing vegetables at home isn’t rocket science, and you don’t even need much space! Here are some of the best vegetables to grow in pots.
It does take some work but the end result of yummy edibles makes it worth your effort.
I’ve spoken to several friends and families who expressed their wishes of having an edible garden.
What stood in the way however was the lack of space in their backyard or in their high-rise apartments.
Well, here’s the solution that can profit us all. Container vegetable gardening!
Just about anyone can grow and harvest vegetables in containers! The best part is, you don’t need a lot of space.
However, not every plant can be properly grown in a pot, since some require more ground space.
Therefore, any budding gardener needs to know their options for the best vegetables to grow in pots.
The pots can be placed on your windowsills, balconies, patio, porch and even the roof of your home.
The vegetables will be sure to flourish anywhere, as long as they are exposed to a good amount of sunlight.
Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots:
Here are some of the best vegetables to grow in pots and containers this season.
Please do ensure that the pots you purchase are large enough for spreading roots. Most vegetables need a pot with a depth between 6 to 12 inches to grow healthy.
1. Tomatoes
Growing tomatoes is super easy.
They grow well in large pots and need the support of a stake or cage. This will help the larger fruits from breaking the vines.
While purchasing pots think about the size of the tomatoes you’ll grow. Cherry tomatoes are very small and don’t take up much room. Better Boy tomatoes have more weight and would require a larger container.
With full exposure to the sun and soil with good drainage, you’re in for a good harvest. Keep in mind that they have no love for the cold whatsoever.
2. Potatoes
Potatoes grown in containers are a lot less hassling than those nurtured in-ground.
The container limits the risk of gathering fungus and blight in contrast to potatoes grown in garden beds. You’ll need to ensure the plant gets sufficient water and nutrient-rich soil.
The base of the container should have plenty of holes for good drainage and place it at a location at home that gets the most sunlight.
Soon, you’ll be able to harvest potatoes fresher than those in any grocery store.
3. Sweet Peppers
Sweet peppers are super productive! They’re not only crisp and tasty in meals, but also very beautiful due to the variety of colors.
For the best results, use pots or containers that are a minimum of 12 inches in depth.
They need consistent watering but well-drained soil is key to keeping the roots from rotting. Containers create the ease of moving them out for 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
4. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is such an underrated vegetable. The variety of colors is absolutely beautiful and it is one of the best veggies for container gardening.
They have very shallow roots and do not need an extra-large container to grow healthy.
With full to partial shade in a pot with an 8 inches depth, you’ll reap the most luscious greens in no time.
5. Beets
Low on space in your apartment? Then this vegetable is un-beet-able.
Your only concern should be getting a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and placing the plant where it gets around 6 hours of sunlight each day.
The soil pH is best kept at a level of 6.0 to 7.5. So, to increase the acidity of the soil simply add some wood ash to the base of the plant.
6. Eggplant
If you’re a true lover of eggplants then there is no need to fuss. They can even be used as ornaments and prepared in a variety of dishes.
Even though they tend to grow quite bushy and have a moderate root system, they can be grown in pots.
To secure a good reaping use glaze pots to hold more water and use a stake to support the heavy produce as they grow.
7. Peas
Peas really enjoy the cool season of fall and spring. It’s a great choice to improve the quality of soil by enriching it with nitrogen.
They’re also climbers so brace them with some form of support like a trellis. This however depends on the type that you will be planting.
Use loamy soil that has good drainage with a pot that is between 6 to 8 inches in depth.
Keep them in full sunlight and water generously. In a very short time, you’ll be able to pick peas for storage. Easy-peasy!
8. Zucchini
Firstly, zucchini is another vegetable that needs to be held up by a trellis.
This is a very large plant so you might want to consider buying a container that is at least 24 inches in diameter and 12 inches in depth.
Zucchinis require a lot of nurturing, so add lots of compost to your soil before planting the seeds.
Also, do add plenty of water as they grow well in moist dirt. However, never overwater them.
Keep the container in areas where there is full sunshine like your porch or balcony.
9. Okra
Okra is a tall plant and they produce lovely flowers too. It’s highly productive and with a big container will grow very well.
Minor things to keep it healthy include planting them in well-drained soil and adding just enough water but not too much to drench the roots.
After all, you don’t want the roots to decay. Keep them in bright sunlight and they’ll be good.
10. Kale
Kale is an absolutely perfect veggie to grow in containers. It’s versatile and packed with nutrients as well as vitamins.
They grow quite fast and can be used in many ways. So, go ahead and grab a pot that’s approximately 8 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter to grow your very own.
When it’s time to harvest them, there’ll be enough to feed your entire family.
11. Broccoli
Even though broccoli isn’t commonly grown in containers they do very well just the same.
Ensure that you plant them in a large container during early spring to get the best outcome.
Like many vegetables, broccoli needs plenty of water to grow healthy but just the right amount to keep the roots intact.
After you’ve harvested the main head, side shoots will appear and from those, you’ll be able to reap all summer.
12. Lettuce
This one is an all-time favorite! This leafy green performs best in cool shaded areas, unlike others that enjoy the full glow of the sun.
The container will allow you to deal with weeds and pests much easier than in-ground planting.
Plant your seeds in well-drained loamy soil and you’ll be able to harvest throughout the growing season.
If you’re growing leaf lettuce, rather than head lettuce, they can grow quite closely in a container that’s at least six inches deep.
It has a very shallow root system but is ideal for growing in small spaces.
13. Radishes
Radishes prefer full to partial sunlight. They do not flourish well in periods of extreme heat. Watering regularly and moving your pot to a place with shade is best.
Though many gardeners underrate them they do grow quite fast, in approximately 4 weeks or 30 days.
This is a root food so keep the soil very soft to harvest a great turnout. If you have a small pot, fill it with well-drained soil and spread the seeds apart.
Depending on the type of radish they’ll turn out to be round, small or bright red based on the conditions they are grown in. The healthier, the better!
14. Cucumbers
Fresh, delicious and so healthy! Cucumbers can be grown in containers and they are heavy feeders that enjoy a lot of water.
To keep the soil nice and moist consider adding compost to your soil. A 5-gallon pot works very well so roots have enough space to spread.
There are two types of cucumbers, bush and vining. Cucumbers that have vines need a stake that should be placed firmly in the pot for support to grow upwards. Bush cucumbers on the other hand are much shorted and have less yields.
15. Spinach
Not only does growing spinach in a pot create space, but it’ll look great in your home too.
Your window sill is an excellent area to place this leafy vegetable to gather the partial shade that it needs.
Use a pot that is wide and 8 inches in depth to allow it to spread as far as it can.
Within 45 days you’ll be ready to gather what you need to make a healthy and hearty meal.
Conclusion on some of the best vegetables to grow in pots:
Feel free to choose any of your favorite vegetables above to start container vegetable gardening.
It’s easy, won’t take up much of your time, and you’ll have the benefit of reaping fresh veggies.
Continue to check for regular updates on all things gardening! I’m always promoting healthier living through healthier eating!