The Best Vegetables to Grow in a Container Garden

There’s nothing like the taste of fresh vegetables, especially if they come directly from your own garden. But not everyone is fortunate enough to have the space or equipment for a vegetable garden. Or do they? There are many vegetables that grow well in containers, making any space, no matter how small, the perfect spot to raise your own fresh and healthy vegetables.

What Vegetables Grow Well in Containers?

No matter what vegetables your taste buds are craving, you’re sure to find some that will grow well in a container. Generally speaking, going with a dwarf variety of any of these vegetables is going to get you more yield for the space but it isn’t necessary.

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are probably the posterchild for potted vegetables (technically a fruit). They really do well in just about any size of container. There’s also a myriad of varieties to choose from, from tiny cherry tomatoes to the extra-large Beef Master. Tomatoes have the added benefit of being easily started from seeds early on in the spring inside your home and then being moved outdoors as the weather warms up. Just be sure to place your tomato containers in the full sun and give them plenty of water for the best outcome.

2. Peppers

Another well-known container vegetable is peppers. Whether you’re looking for a sweet pepper or a hot one that will knock your socks off, you can easily grow nearly any variety in very little space. Like tomatoes, peppers need lots of sun and prefer the heat but don’t need a lot of other upkeep. These are another great option to start with seeds indoors and then move outside in the warmer weather.

3. Onions

Onions are a very versatile vegetable and a pantry staple for many family cooks. They are also part of the trifecta of main ingredients for homemade salsa. If any of this interests you, consider planting some onions as part of your container garden. Green onions especially grow well in shallow containers and can give you lots of flavor in very little space.

4. Leafy Greens

For quick and delicious results, leafy greens are a container gardener’s dream. Anything from lettuce, to kale, to spinach to arugula grows well in containers. All of these leafy greens are fairly shallow vegetables, making them perfect for vertical planters as well for even more space-saving capabilities. Another huge benefit of growing leafy greens in a container garden is, depending on your climate, you can get multiple harvests per year!

5. Beets

To add a splash of color to your container garden, consider adding beets. These vegetables require a slightly deeper pot than other container vegetables, but will produce a high yield in a fairly short amount of time. Look to place them in full sun for the best results.

6. Herbs

Nothing tops off fresh vegetables like fresh herbs. Fortunately, many herbs including basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, cilantro, and thyme grow extremely well in containers or even indoors. They also require fairly small, shallow containers, so they will fit perfectly among your other vegetables.

How to Start a Container Garden

Getting into container gardening requires minimal investment and time. You can go as big or as small as you like, and the great thing about gardening in containers is you can easily change the design.

Start by deciding what you want to grow. Tomatoes, beets, and peppers are going to take a deeper pot, around 12-14”, while lettuce and onions require only 6-8”.

Select your containers. Peppers and tomatoes can be planted as a single plant per pot while lettuce and onions can have several plants per container. Make sure the containers have good drainage. You may need to add some holes to the bottom if not.

Choose your soil mixture. Regular outdoor garden soil isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need nutrient rich potting soil or a mixture to get the best results. Regular fertilization may be needed as well. Do a little research to determine what your selected vegetables prefer.

Place your plants, or seeds, in your containers and put them in a sunny, warm spot outside. This can be anything from a balcony to a small backyard. Most vegetables are going to need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Water is needed while allowing the soil to dry in between.

Container gardening is a great alternative for those of us that don’t have the space or resources for a large outdoor garden. Just because you don’t have the space doesn’t mean you can’t have all of the fresh vegetables you want.