Some vegetables only grow well in containers, while other vegetables struggle in soil-based gardening. Selecting the right vegetables for container gardening will make sure you have success throughout your container gardening experience and will produce an abundant harvest in all seasons. Here are the top vegetables for container gardening, which includes top soil, containers, and the best companion crops for successful container gardeners. This article also contains information on the best companion plant for container gardening.
Beets Make an outstanding companion plant for container gardening because of their versatility. Easy to maintain, these green plants will thrive even in the depths of winter. In addition to being year-round gardeners, they’re also great for container gardening in the hot months. Grow them either in a garden center’s natural spring soil or compost. Keep them growing with a special fertilizer designed for container gardening.
Bells of garlic are very hardy and very drought resistant. Their robust size makes it easy to harvest from your container garden. These red peppers also do well in shady areas and look great popping up all over your salad tables. Plant them in partial sun, harvesting in late summer or early fall. Choose a variety of fresh bell peppers to enjoy their rich flavor throughout the year.
Cucumbers is another favorite for container gardens. Tolerable to less than ideal soil conditions, they’re easy to grow and don’t require much attention. They’re most successful in mildew-free, acidic soil and should be fertilized once a month in the spring with a light dust-based compost fertilizer. Be sure to use a compostable fertilizer; it will retain its nutrients better than a commercial product.
Rosemary, considered the “purer” variety of mint, is an excellent choice for container gardens. It has magnificent leaves that attract bees and butterflies and is highly aromatic. Rosemary prefers acidic soils that have good drainage and will do well in potting mix made with perlite. This combination makes for a very successful garden. Mow the grass often so the Rosemary bush doesn’t become overly tall. When mowing, be sure to be mindful of the drainage, as you don’t want to drown the plant.
Olives are a perennial choice with a short shelf life, so they’re perfect for container gardens in the shade. Plant with a depth of between three to six inches, depending on the size of the container. The sunny spot in which to plant olives should be between seven and ten inches deep. Plant rosesmary, oregano and garlic in the area, add some thyme and parsley for a nice aroma, and you’ll have the best tasting tomatoes in town!
There’s nothing more delicious than fresh Italian bread baking in a spring salad. Tomatoes work well in small round pots filled halfway with potting soil and topped off with a sprinkling of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Water well during the day and keep the top moist until nighttime, when you can drain the pots and move them to their permanent location. In addition to tomatoes, basil, onions, mushrooms, cucumbers, green beans, peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and lettuce are great in small pots.
As the weather turns cold in late winter, peas and other pole beans can become the perfect vegetable to add to your flower and flowerbeds. Pole beans will grow to a mature length of twelve inches. They are slow growing but produce heavy harvests in a short space of time. Mulch the pole beans, adding compost at the base to bring even greater health to the little guys. They make an excellent choice for container gardens; easy to grow, enjoyable to eat, and a great addition to your community garden.