What Vegetables Can You Grow in Containers?

Fresh tomatoes and peppers are easy to grow in containers.

Container gardening is an ideal solution for those who wish to grow fresh vegetables but who do not have the space to do so. Apartment dwellers or those with little or no yard often grow fresh produce in whichever type of container they have handy. Certain types of vegetables are better suited to container growing than others, however, so research specific vegetables and their growing needs before adding them to your container garden.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables are the type that have leaves on the surface, but the actual vegetable grows underground (the root of the plant). Types of root vegetables suitable for container gardening include radishes, carrots, onions, beets, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Red radishes may be grown in a small bowl with holes drilled or punched into the bottom. Carrots, onions and beets grow well in large plastic tubs (with added drainage holes). Potatoes and sweet potatoes require plenty of growing space, but grow very well in large plastic sacks such as the ones used to hold concrete mix.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are nutritious and useful in a variety of dishes from salads to pastas to soups. These types of plants include chard, arugula, all types of lettuce, spinach, kale, collard greens and other salad greens. Leafy green plants have shallow roots, so width is more important than depth in containers for these plants. Choose large "salad"-type bowls with drainage holes added, window box type planters, wire baskets lined with felt or peat moss and filled with potting mix, or even simple kitchen colanders.

Vine Veggies

Vine vegetables require plenty of space to spread out, and some require the use of stakes to help support the maturing plant. Vine vegetables include tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant and even small pumpkins. Pumpkin, zucchini and cucumbers require plenty of space when in traditional or container gardens, so make sure you have the extra space and are prepared to the plants to "take over." Use heavy, deep types of containers such as ceramic or clay containers for these types of plants, as they tend to get heavier as they mature and lighter containers may tip over with the plants. Small varieties of tomatoes, such as cherry tomatoes, also grow nicely in hanging baskets.

Head Plants

These types of plants grow as "heads," such as cabbage, head lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. Grow these types of plants in shallow, flat containers with plenty of room. Good drainage is imperative to the health of these plants, so add lots of drainage holes to the bottom of any container used.

Bush Plants

All varieties of beans and peppers as well as peas grow well in containers. These plants get bushy as they grow, so containers should be deep and heavy enough to support the plants. Stakes or trellises added to the containers help the plants stay upright and supported as they grow. Small varieties of peppers, such as chile peppers, grow nicely in small tins (such as the type that hold olive oil).

References

• No Dig Vegetable Garden: Container Vegetable Gardens
• "Organic Crops in Pots"; Deborah Schnebelli-Morrell; 2009