Plants for Garden Containers

Almost any vegetable, herb, plant or flower can be grown in a container.

The concept of container gardening isn't a new one. Container gardening has always been practical for city dwellers where balconies might be the only strip of outdoors possessed, homes with spacious patios, or areas where weather can change drastically very quickly. Containers used in container gardening can range from wood barrels to plastic buckets and a variety of herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruits can be grown.

Container Gardening Basics

Some regions of the country possess very poor soil not fit for growing vegetables or flowers. Gardening in a container avoids these issues with inadequate soil. Almost any type of bucket, barrel, pan or pot can be used to plant a wide variety of plants. Gardening in containers rather than on the ground makes gardening a viable option for older and physically challenged individuals because there's no need to kneel on the ground. Because containers are movable, you can control how much exposure to sunlight occurs making the planting of almost any type of flower or vegetable an option. It is important to match the size of the full grown plant to the size of the container to allow for adequate root growth so the plant doesn't become pot, also called, root-bound.

Herbs

Container gardening can be accomplished on as little space as a windowsill. Herbs are an example of an excellent variety of plants that thrive in containers. The AgriLife Extension of Texas A&M University suggests that containers about 6 to 10 inches deep are adequate for growing all herbs, such as parsley, thyme and chives. Read the seed packaging carefully to note the amount of sunlight and shade required for healthy growth and move the container as needed. Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes in the bottom. For example, plant parsley in an old margarine tub, add a 1-inch deep layer of gravel and poke a few holes in the bottom and set the container onto a shallow bowl.

Vegetables

Tomatoes, peppers, green onions, beets, lettuce and other leafy vegetables, radishes and eggplant are all options for garden containers. The AgriLife Extension of Texas A&M University recommends 5-gallon containers, such as buckets, for larger pepper and tomato plants. Metal cages can be installed around the top of the container to support the plant vines. Root vegetables can be safely planted in shallow containers, such as cake pans. The West Virginia University Extension Service suggests using containers that allow for a soil depth of about 8 inches. Other vegetables that do well in garden containers are squash, chard, cucumbers and pole beans.

Fruits

The fruits you can grow in container gardens are limited by the full grown size of the bush, vine or tree. Dwarf trees, such as dwarf apple or lemon trees do well in larger containers such as half barrels. Wood tubs or large plastic pots purchased at home improvement and garden centers work well. Some fruits that tolerate container growth well are raspberries, black and blue berries and strawberries.

Flowers

The West Virginia University Extension Service maintains that most flowers can be grown in containers. Annual and perennial flowers both adapt well to container gardening methods as long as the soil is enriched with the proper minerals, water absorption is closely regulated and the flowers receive adequate sunlight. Flower seedling transplants can also be planted in containers. Annuals such as pansies, geranium, verbena and zinnias fare well in containers. Perennials such as chrysanthemums, daisies and yarrow, also will grow well in containers.

References

• AgriLife Extension Texas A&M University; Vegetable Gardening in Containers; Joseph G. Masabni
• West Virginia University Extension Service; Container Gardening; John W. Jett; November 3, 2010

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension; Successful Container Gardens; 2011