Plus our favorite foolproof plants.
Fact: you don’t need a big space or an actual garden patch to grow your own fruits and vegetables. Many think a sprawling backyard is required to grow herbs, veggies, and produce, but all you really need are a few large pots and some decent sun exposure to get your container garden growing. So whether you’re building raised garden beds or simply looking to fill a few vessels on your back deck, consider this your ultimate guide to container gardening for beginners. Plant Root Ball
There are so many varieties of vegetables that thrive in containers. And when it comes to your garden’s design, the options are endless. This can look like anything from pots on your patio to window boxes outside your kitchen window. Even if your outdoor space is slim to none, there’s still something you can grow in a container garden.
Featured image from our interview with Janessa Leoné by Teal Thomsen.
Some of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers are nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as well as fast-growing crops like peas and lettuce. Of course, there is no such thing as foolproof vegetable gardening, but container vegetable gardening comes close by reducing the threats posed by bad weather, pests, and hungry critters.
Growing vegetables in containers is an easy way to enjoy fresh food without the hassles of pulling weeds or tilling the soil. All you need is a pot, good soil, and sun! Ahead, in this guide to container gardening for beginners, we’re breaking down eight fruit and vegetable varieties you should start with. You’ll truly be amazed at what you can grow in a small space!
First on the list: kitchen herbs. Kitchen herbs are the easiest edible plants to grow and deserve a spot on any container garden list. For the rookie gardener, planting fresh herbs is a great way to begin testing out your green thumb, and unlike succulents or shrubs, succeeding with these plants is extra gratifying, as they work wonders in elevating your cooking game as well.
Try thyme, chives, mint, sage, parsley, oregano, and rosemary outdoors, and basil and coriander on the kitchen windowsill. Check out this post for more info on planting herbs and amazing recipes to make with each one!
Growing tomatoes in containers are easy and incredibly satisfying. You can grow tomatoes in pots, grow bags, and even hanging baskets, but most tomatoes also are happiest in big containers and will need staking or a tomato cage (this extra support keeps the heavy fruit from bending and breaking the vines.)
Zucchini (also called summer squash) is a great vegetable for small-space gardeners. It’s nearly guaranteed to grow, it produces tons of veggies all summer long, and comes in lots of fun shapes and colors. Grow compact varieties like Gold Rush yellow zucchini, Spacemiser green zucchini, or Sunburst scallopini zucchini.
Did you know that freshly picked potatoes taste entirely different than the potatoes you would buy in a grocery store? They have higher water content and a bitter, earthy flavor that pairs so well with other fresh ingredients. Many people think potato plants need lots of room to grow, but what they actually need is deep soil. They will grow just fine in long containers like barrels or plastic dustbins. Even though growing potatoes require a lot of soil and water, it is well worth the effort to take your tasty spring and summer recipes to the next level.
Crispy, peppery radishes are great in salads and a good crop for beginner vegetable gardeners. They are trouble-free and grow ridiculously quickly—most go from seed to harvest in just about a month. They also do not need much space—they can grow in containers that are four to six inches deep, so they’re perfect for someone who lives in an apartment. There are many varieties, which means you can select your seeds based on appearance and flavor. I think radishes are so gorgeous—a fresh and instant decor boost to your kitchen! The tops of radish greens are also edible, as are the pods.
Growing lettuce and other salad greens in containers is fast and perfect for tiny spaces. You can even make your own vertical lettuce garden which looks so beautiful out on a patio. If you’re a big salad eater, you will love growing your own fresh lettuce and whipping up delicious recipes all summer. There are some great salad greens and mesclun mixes you can buy for container gardens that taste delicious and look good in decorative pots.
Peppers can be spectacularly beautiful, especially orange and purple sweet peppers in containers. Perfect for adding a sweet or fiery kick to a multitude of dishes, both hot and sweet peppers thrive in grow boxes, but can be grown in any large container with plenty of sun, good drainage, and consistent watering. Dry soil or overly wet soil is disastrous for peppers. And, the warmer the conditions are, the spicier the chilies!
Cucumbers are a fast-growing vegetable commonly grown in containers. These water-loving plants do best in large plastic or ceramic pots that help the soil retain moisture. Growing cucumbers in containers is a great way to give them the heat they love and need to thrive. There are two main types of cucumbers: bush and vining. Either can grow in a container. Bush cucumbers tend to be shorter with smaller yields. The six to eight-inch long fruits have smooth, tender skin and sweet, crisp flesh. Vining cucumbers will require a trellis or tomato cage.
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