Mary Moss-Sprague, master gardener and author of Stand
Up and Garden (Countryman Press, 2012), grows all her
vegetables in containers after a disease ran rampant through her garden soil
and decimated her tomato plants — a non-problem with containers because they
don’t share soil.
Tips for container gardening
Containers: Any
container will do, as long as it’s deep enough for the plant (check the seed
packet). Just drill ½-inch drainage holes in the bottom.
Moss-Sprague suggests snagging 5-gallon food buckets from
your grocery store or deli, or asking your neighborhood garden center for 5- to
7-gallon grower’s pots — both are free. Before using, wash out the container
with a gallon of water mixed with a cup of chlorine bleach to kill off any
lingering bacteria.
Soil: All-purpose soil is pretty goof-proof. But don’t use
topsoil — it won’t work because it doesn’t have the required nutrients.
Plants: Read
instructions on the seedling or seed packet first. The same rules for sun,
watering, space, and hardiness zones apply
to container vegetables.
Top 10 container
vegetables
1. Tomatoes: All kinds do well in pots. Try grape and cherry
varieties for easy growing — their small size makes them easy to handle. Put up
a trellis because they love to climb.
Pros: Growing them in
containers makes them a snap to water because it’s easier to get under their
leaves; cherry tomatoes produce quickly.
Cons: Don’t seed directly in
container — young tomato plants need specific growing conditions to get
started, which can be tricky; buy seedlings instead.
2. Peppers: Bell and chili peppers are good container contenders.
Peppers can be picky when starting out, so plant seedlings instead of seeds.
Pros: Red mini bell peppers
are quick producers — about 2 months until they’re ready to eat.
Cons: You’ll need some patience
— regular peppers take up to 3 months to mature.
3. Lettuce: Any kind of lettuce will grow in pots. You can seed directly
in the pot.
Pros: Huge selection to
choose from, and you can plant different varieties in the same container — a
beautiful look.
Cons: They need full sun —
you might have to move your containers around to ensure good exposure.
4. Spinach: All different varieties really thrive in containers. Scatter
the seeds and thin them out as they grow.
Pros: You can trim off the
leaves when you want them and they’ll just keep growing more.
Cons: Good drainage is really
important for spinach; it prefers sunny days and cool nights.
5. Radishes: French Breakfast, White Icicle, and Short Cherry Bell are
three varieties to try. Plant 1 to 2 inches between, and thin as they grow.
Pros: Super quick! About 25
days and they’re ready to crunch.
Cons: They don’t like heat —
if you live in a hot zone, look for varieties that are heat-resistant, or grow
in the spring and fall.
6. Green onions: Very pretty and very easy to grow.
Pros: They don’t take much
room and are easy to manage — they like sun, but be sure to wait until the
danger of frost has passed before planting.
Cons: They take a couple of
months until they’re ready.
7. Carrots: Any type of carrot will work in containers — when they’re
ready to harvest, soak the container with water first to making pulling easier.
Pros: There are many types to
choose from; “kaleidoscope” mixes come with a variety of flavors and beautiful
colors.
Cons: Some will take up to
80 days until they’re ready; if you’re an impatient gardener, look for
quick-maturing types, such as Touchon and Little Finger.
8. Swiss chard: Seed directly in your container and trim leaves as needed —
they’ll continue to produce. Chard is tastiest when it’s young.
Pros: Very durable plant
that tolerates warmth.
Cons: Getting your kids to
eat it (unusual flavors).
9. Cucumbers: Another good plant for impatient gardeners, cukes add crunch
to summer salads and sandwiches.
Pros: Quick to germinate and
quick to grow.
Cons: They need sturdy
support posts or a trellis so the plants have somewhere to climb. Or try
smaller, less-heavy bush cucumbers.
10. Green beans: So easy to grow, you can put your kids in charge.
Pros: Quick growers and you’ll
have a bumper crop if you pick regularly — they’ll just keep growing more.
Cons: Climbing beans — called
pole beans — grow 5 to 6 feet, so stick to bush beans, which hit 1-2 feet on
sturdy, self-supporting stems.
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