Dreaming of fresh veggies but short on space? Don't worry! All you need is a sunny balcony or patio and a few pots to get growing. Trust me, nothing beats the taste of your own harvest! Let's explore five easy vegetables ideal for container gardening.
1. Tomatoes
You can grow both bush and cordon tomatoes in pots! Just remember, cordon tomatoes need canes to climb. Plant them outside after the last frost in multi-purpose compost. Keep the soil nice and moist, but not soggy, to avoid splitting the tomatoes. Once you see flowers, feed them tomato feed every two weeks. Pick them when they're a lovely, ripe colour.
2. Lettuce
For a continuous supply of fresh lettuce, 'cut and come again' varieties are ideal for container growing. Sow seeds in pots or windowboxes, even on a sunny windowsill. Water regularly and feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Harvest the outer leaves as needed, yielding 3-4 harvests per plant. When leaves become tough or bitter, remove the plant and add it to your compost. To ensure a steady supply, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks throughout the summer.
3. French beans
Want French beans in pots? You've got options! You can grow the climbing kind with supports, or go for dwarf varieties like 'Borlotto' or 'Purple Teepee' – they only get to about 50cm tall. Plant them after the frosts are gone, give them regular water and food, and pick the beans when they're young and tender. Picking often means more beans for you!
4. Radishes
Radishes are a breeze to grow in pots! Sow short-rooted varieties from March to mid-August in multipurpose compost. Find a spot with some shade and water them regularly. You'll have delicious radishes in as little as 4 weeks! Keep sowing every few weeks for a summer-long supply.
5. Courgettes
Courgettes thrive in containers, allowing for easy control of feeding and watering. Select dwarf varieties, such as 'All Green Bush' or 'Midnight', and plant in a large container. Position in a sunny location and water consistently. Once flowers appear, feed fortnightly with a high-potash fertilizer like tomato feed. Harvest courgettes when young to encourage further production.
Kickstart your container garden at our garden centre in St Ablans, Hertfordshire! We've got everything you need: fantastic pots, quality compost, and a huge selection of seeds and seedlings. Visit us today and get growing!
