If you are someone who enjoys growing and preserving your own food but you’re also someone who just doesn’t have the outdoor garden space that you need, here is a collection of veggies for you to grow in a container
You can grow these on the deck or porch or wherever you have room because they’re all in some sort of container. Plus, these foods grow very well in containers so there are no worries of getting smaller than average tomatoes. If you want a huge beefsteak tomato in a container, that’s just what you’ll get.
So whether you have a huge gardening space or not, if you want to grow your own foods, you can and we’ve got the perfect foods for you to grow in those containers. Take a look, pick out your favorites, and DIY your way to more homegrown food on the table all year long.
Here's 10 easy veggies to grow in containers:
1) Artichokes:
Artichoke hearts are an acquired taste and a somewhat expensive one at that. Instead of paying out high dollars for those in the store, just grab a planter and grow your own. Artichokes grow very well in containers and aren’t really something that you have to mess with often. They are relatively low maintenance and because they take a bit longer to germinate, you can plant them in the fall and have them ready to eat by spring. Give them just a little water and sunlight regularly and they should really thrive.
2) Asparagus:
Asparagus is a really hardy plant and one that doesn’t require a lot of attention or care. Just make sure that your container is large enough to accommodate the plant as it grows, which will be up as opposed to root plants. You can use a shallow planter but make sure that the diameter is relatively large. These do very well indoors so if you don’t have any room outside, you can still grow it and just sit the planters out on the balcony for a little sunlight every day.
3) Beets:
Beets can be grown easily in containers. Whether you love cooked beets or you prefer to pickle them, you can grow them indoors during most seasons and have an endless supply right at your fingertips. You don’t have to germinate in one container and then transfer into another. In fact, beets prefer to grow undisturbed so choose an adequately sized container before you plant. Sow the seeds thinly but still be prepared to need to weed them out after a couple of weeks. Beets grow fairly well in any condition so you should have no problem getting enough for a great harvest.
4) Cherry Tomatoes:
Cherry Tomatoes are easy to grow in a container. Prepare soil with a light fertilizer and airy soil (you want the water to easily seep through). Water daily and make sure they get lots of sun. You’ll see the harvest is ready in two to two-and-a-half months. They are high in Vitamins A and C so snack on these!
5) Green Beans:
If you have a three-tier green stalk or a shorter pot you’re using, that would work well for these because they will be growing high. You will need to use a traditional tomato cage, but you’ll use it upside down and tie the pokey ends together at the top. Only put two seeds where you want the plant to grow an inch below the soil. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer sparingly. Once the beans begin to sprout, pick them every 3-5 days. They are ready to eat before strings appear, or you can wait until they’re mature.
6) Mini-Carrots (Baby):
Yes, they can actually be grown tiny! These are ideal for planting in a container. Ever see beautiful little carrots with their greens still attached on a classy plate of prime rib and mashed potatoes? These are it. They are ready to harvest in approximately 90 days in winter and are known to be very easy. They need only six hours of sun daily and do appreciate shade.
7) Onions:
Onions, especially green onions, have been known to grow very well in containers, provided you get them adequate space. Choose a planter that is at least five inches deep, which allows the onion to grow to full bulb size. Just plant the onion sets in potting soil in your chosen container and you should be able to get several in a container, allowing an inch or so between for growth. Green onion tops are great for adding flavor to salads and soups and the bulbs can be left until they reach a pretty good size.
8) Peppers:
Sweet peppers really thrive in containers so if you love adding red, yellow, or green peppers to your favorite foods, you can grow them easily even without a garden space. Choosing the right size container is important here. You want the peppers to have room to grow and not be squashed. Smaller peppers will require at least a 2 gallon container while larger varieties will need a 5 or 10 gallon pot. You will want to allow the peppers at least 8 hours of sunlight each day when possible so choose a spot that gets plenty of direct sunlight. You can bring them in at night if you want, just take them back out each morning for full sunlight
9) Radishes:
Radishes add great flavor to salads and other dishes and can be grown easily in containers. Short, red radishes can be grown in just about any container that you have on hand. Longer, white radishes thrive very well in paint buckets or similar containers. Radishes are actually a recommended vegetable for first time gardeners because they grow so well. You are sure to get a great harvest from your radish containers. Just make sure that you water them every few days and sit them beside a window or out on the patio for a bit of sunlight a couple of hours each day.
10) Sugar Snap Peas:
Sugar snap peas are delicious in stir fry or just by themselves. You can grow these pretty easily in planters so even if you don’t have room for a traditional garden, you can still enjoy fresh sugar snap peas from time to time without spending a fortune on them when they aren’t in season. You do want to provide some sort of climbing ability so a trellis or porch rail may be necessary when the plants begin to grow fairly well. They also thrive much better outdoors than inside so grow them on your balcony or patio during the spring/summer growing season for best results.
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