Container gardening is a great way to start gardening or add more space to an existing garden. It’s also a great way to make your garden portable, so you can move it around as needed. With container gardening, you can grow many vegetables, fruits, and herbs in small spaces.
I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the best vegetables for container gardening. Over the years, I’ve grown many crops in containers and narrowed down my top picks for the 15 best vegetables that grow well in containers.
These include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, and spinach. Herbs such as basil and oregano are also great options for container gardens. These vegetables require minimal care and attention but will seasonally produce delicious produce. Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
Here are the 10 Best Veggies to Grow in Pots
1. Peppers
Growing peppers in containers is a great way to ensure that your plants get the necessary drainage. Containers also warm up more quickly in the spring, which is important for peppers as they prefer warm soil.
An olla can be used to provide water directly to the roots of the pepper plant, and at least a medium size container (5 gallons or larger) should be chosen for best results.
In cold climates, bringing containers inside during winter can help protect your pepper plants from frost damage. This will allow you to enjoy fresh peppers all year round. It’s important to do some research before planting peppers in containers, as certain requirements must be met for successful growth.
Reading this post is a great place to start learning about how to grow peppers in containers. With proper care and attention, you’ll have delicious homegrown peppers in no time.
2. Citrus Trees
Growing citrus trees in containers is a great way to add variety to your garden without taking up too much space. Containers also keep the roots of the trees out of your garden beds, which can be beneficial if you have other plants that need more room.
In cooler climates, container-grown citrus can be brought indoors during cold weather, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruit all year round.
When choosing a container for your citrus tree, ensure it is large enough to hold at least 20 gallons of soil. This will give the tree plenty of room to grow and develop strong roots.
You should also ensure the container has good drainage and use a potting mix specifically for citrus trees. Be sure to read up on caring for your particular citrus tree before planting it in its new home. You can enjoy delicious homegrown fruit from your backyard with proper care and attention.
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a classic choice for container gardening and can be grown in many different types of pots, from hanging baskets to large planters. Containers allow you to move your tomatoes around as needed, which makes it easy to find the best spot for them to get enough sun and warmth.
It’s important to choose a pot that is deep enough for the roots of the tomato plant to spread out and has good drainage. If your pot is too shallow, the plant’s roots cannot access enough nutrients and water for proper growth.
When it comes to choosing a variety of tomatoes for container gardening, there are many options available. Cherry tomatoes do well in pots, as they are smaller and require less space than larger varieties.
Be sure to read up on the specifics of caring for your particular variety of tomatoes before planting it in its new home. You can enjoy delicious homegrown tomatoes all summer long with proper care and attention.
4. Summer Squash
Summer squash is a great vegetable to grow in your garden or a container. It can take up a lot of room, so it’s important to leave plenty of space around the container for the plant to grow large. The best containers for summer squash are at least 5 gallons in size and should be placed in a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
When planting summer squash, use well-draining soil and water regularly. Fertilize every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer and mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture. Harvesting summer squash is easy; pick them when they reach their desired size.
Be sure not to let them get too big, as they will become tough and bitter-tasting. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh summer squash all season long.
5. Garlic
Garlic is one of the best potable vegetables and offers many health benefits. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, and garlic has powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
When growing garlic in pots, choosing a pot at least 10 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter is important. The pot should also have good drainage and be filled with well-draining soil. Plant the garlic cloves 2 inches deep and 4 inches apart, then water regularly and fertilize every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.
Harvesting garlic is easy; pull the entire plant from the soil when the leaves start to yellow. You can enjoy delicious homegrown garlic all season long with proper care and attention.
6. Carrots
Carrots are a great vegetable to grow in pots and containers, as they don’t take up a lot of room and require minimal effort. The best containers for carrots are at least 10 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter, with good drainage. Fill the pot with well-draining soil, then plant the carrot seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Water the carrots regularly and fertilize them every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer. Harvesting carrots is easy; pull them out of the soil when they reach their desired size. You can enjoy fresh, homegrown carrots all season long with proper care.
7. Okra
Okra is an excellent vegetable for pots due to its compact size and high yields. Okra is a warm-season crop commonly found in Southern cuisine, but it can also be grown in many other climates. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil, so ensure your pot has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom.
When planting okra, space the seeds 2 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep. Water regularly and fertilize every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.
Harvesting okra is easy; pick them when they reach their desired size, usually about 3 to 4 inches long. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh okra all season long.
8. Peas
Peas are a great vegetable to grow in pots, as they don’t take up a lot of room and require minimal effort to care for. The best containers for peas are at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter, with good drainage. Fill the pot with well-draining soil, then plant the pea seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Water the peas regularly and fertilize them every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer. Harvesting peas is easy; pick the pods when they reach their desired size, usually about 2 to 3 inches long. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh homegrown peas all season long.
9. Lettuce
Lettuce is a great vegetable to grow in pots and containers, as it doesn’t take up a lot of room and requires minimal effort. The best containers for lettuce are at least 6 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter, with good drainage.
Fill the pot with well-draining soil, then plant the lettuce seeds 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Water the lettuce regularly and fertilize them every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer. Harvesting lettuce is easy; simply cut the leaves when they reach their desired size, usually about 4 to 6 inches long. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh homegrown lettuce all season long.
10. Strawberries
Growing strawberries in containers is a great way to keep them off the ground and away from pests. Day-neutral and ever-bearing strawberries do best in containers, so choosing the right type for your garden is important.
When selecting a container, ensure it is at least 8 inches deep and holds at least 3 gallons of soil. Additionally, spinach is an excellent companion crop for strawberries as it helps to protect plants from disease and provides additional nutrients.
To ensure successful strawberry growth in containers, regularly provide sunlight and water and fertilize every few weeks. It’s also important to prune the plants regularly to promote healthy growth.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What is the quickest-growing vegetable?
The quickest-growing vegetable that you can grow in a pot is radishes. Radishes are incredibly easy to grow and will be ready to harvest in as little as 3 weeks from sowing the seeds. You only need a pot with good drainage, some potting soil, and your radish seeds. Plant the seeds about an inch apart, water them well, and keep them in a sunny spot.
2. What is the best container for growing vegetables?
The best container for growing vegetables depends on the vegetable you’re growing. Generally, pots at least 6-12 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter are ideal for most vegetables. Additionally, ensure your containers have good drainage and use potting soil specifically designed for vegetables.
3. What vegetables can I grow in partial shade?
Many vegetables will thrive in partial shade, including lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, kale, and Swiss chard. These vegetables prefer cooler temperatures and will do best when planted in containers shaded from direct sunlight for part of the day. Ensure your container has good drainage, and use potting soil specifically designed for vegetables.
4. What vegetables can I grow in full sun?
Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive, so vegetables grown in full sun include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, cucumbers, okra, and beans. Ensure your containers have good drainage and use potting soil specifically designed for vegetables.
5. How often should I water my container vegetables?
The frequency of watering your container vegetables depends on the type of vegetable and the climate you live in. Generally, most vegetables need to be watered at least once a week and more often if it is very hot or windy. Check the soil before watering; if it is still moist, wait a day or two before adding more water.
Conclusion
Growing vegetables in containers is a great way to enjoy fresh produce without wasting valuable garden space. Strawberries and spinach are two of the best vegetables to grow in pots, but there are many other options, such as radishes, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and squash. Ensure your containers have good drainage, and use potting soil designed for vegetables.