Just because you do not have a lot of space in your yard, there is no reason that you should miss out on the wonders of learning how to grow your own vegetables. Some people have absolutely zero space for a vegetable patch, but they still manage to eat their own fresh veggies – by growing vegetables in pots. If you think you have a bit of a green thumb, and you dream of the day when you can harvest your own little crop of vegetables to eat, this guide to growing vegetables in pots is what you need.
Growing vegetables in pots is a great idea if you do not have good soil, or even if you just don’t want to do anything too permanent to your garden. That makes these container gardens an ideal project for people who are renting their homes, as your landlord probably won’t mind you growing vegetables in pots.
Why Grow Your Own Vegetables?
There are plenty of reasons that people choose to grow their own food, instead of completely relying on the supermarkets. This is more than just a hobby to pass the time, and there are real-world uses to growing vegetables in pots.
- You can spend less on groceries, because you will be growing at least some of your own
- Growing your own veggies in pots helps the environment, because they don’t need to be transported, or sprayed with harmful chemicals
- It is a fun, fulfilling, and healthy way to get outside and enjoy a little nature.
- They taste better! If you have never experienced the joy of biting into a fresh, tasty, home grown vegetable, you don’t know what you are missing
- It gives a wonderful sense of satisfaction to know that you actually grew the food you’re putting on your family’s plates, from nothing but seeds and soil
- You don’t need to worry about contaminated food from supermarkets, or wonder exactly where your vegetables have come from in the world
- You will not waste as much food. If you think nothing of throwing away your food now, try doing so with something that you watched grow over a matter of months
What You Will Need
Luckily, there is not a lot needed to begin growing vegetables in pots, and you can begin almost immediately. You will need a few key items, though:
- Basic gardening tools, such as a trowel and hand fork
- Some yard gloves
- Good scissors, or even proper sheers (if you plan to grow anything larger)
- Some quality potting mix (don’t use plain soil from the ground)
- Pots or other appropriate containers
- Your choice of seeds
Choose the Plants to Grow
If you’re wondering what types of plants you should choose for growing vegetables in pots, here are some popular selections. Just keep in mind that some plants might not grow well in your specific region, while others will absolutely thrive. It pays to do a little research about weather and soil types, before you make any purchases.
Spring Onions
Spring Onions
These wonderfully crunchy vegetables are a great choice, and they can be used in a range of food dishes, either hot or cold.
Salad Leaves
Salad Leaves
Nothing can quite complement a meal like a good salad. Instead of paying for your leafy greens, why not grow them yourself? They are an essential part of any easy to grow vegetable pot garden.
Peas
Peas
If you are planting in a cooler climate, peas are a great choice. You will need to give them something to support those systems, however, like netting or chicken wire.
Broad Beans
Broad Beans
While looking at greens, it is hard to forget the humble broad bean. They are easy to sprout, and will surely make you forget about the dull taste of supermarket beans.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
These wonderful, versatile vegetables are so easy to grow, that you can make it a fun activity for children. If you want a smaller type of tomato to grow in a pot, try some of the cherry variety.
Potatoes
Potatoes
These are a great vegetable for a beginner, and they can be grown in pots or potato bags. You should only partially cover your container with your compost. When you can see that your seeds have sprouted into green shoots, and are above the soil line, it’s time to cover those with a little extra compost. This process can be repeated until your pot or bag is filled. After this, you just need to water them regularly, and wait for between 10 and 20 weeks to see your own home grown potatoes
Where to Put Your Potted Garden
You should already have an idea where you would like to place your garden. Now that you know exactly what you are going to plant, and how much room you will need for your pots, it is going to be easier to make a solid plan. Think about how much sunlight your pot vegetables are going to get, and how exposed they will be to the elements. Will they be stuck out in the rain a lot? Is the sun going to be able to reach them enough, or perhaps too much? When growing vegetables in pots, you will need to do some research about what you are planting. Seed packets generally contain information about what type of climate the plants thrive in, but you can also ask someone at your nursery.
People often choose to put their plants on a patio or porch, making growing vegetables in pots pretty simple. If you have some big pots, you can put them out in your garden, as you might position a regular plant. Remember that you can choose pots that will look nice in your yard, and you should take advantage of that added level of height, texture, and color.
Time to Start Your Own Garden
Once you have done your planning, and gathered what you’ll need – you can start to adventure of planting and growing vegetables in pots, and you will be eating your own fresh veggies in no time.
