Growing Container Vegetables

Whether you need a plan for rooftop gardening or you live in an area with limited space for ground gardening, these veggie container ideas will give you inspiration for the spring and summer growing seasons. If you, like us, have been planning on growing container vegetables, this is a good place to start.

We have a large backyard but unfortunately, part of it doesn’t drain well and it stays quite soggy after a storm. So, not a great area for planting vegetables. The rest of the yard is the area where we have our lawn furniture and where the kids play, so again, not a great spot for a vegetable garden. Container vegetables are perfect for us!

Growing Container Vegetables

Not only is container gardening a good idea because of space limitations, but it is also a super convenient way to grow veggies with kids. The area they need to work in is limited and contained, making it much easier for them to maintain.

For me, with some physical mobility issues, the containers help raise the plants up higher off the ground making it easier for me to work with them too. They have many advantages and there are so many plants you can grow in them successfully.

Here are 3 Easy To Grow Container Vegetables

We are planning to do some vegetable gardening with the kids this summer so we went looking for some really easy-to-grow options. Here are the top three we found.

Radishes

One of the easiest and fastest-growing vegetables is the humble radish. You can quickly grow these spicy and peppery little gems from seed and within a month will be able to pluck them from the container to enjoy in a savory salad or just as a snack.

You’ll have a wide variety of seeds from which to choose, so try thinking outside the box (or container) and try something new – maybe something that your local grocers don’t carry. Taste what you’re missing!

Radishes can be planted and grown in 4″ – 6″ deep containers. Make sure and have them in partial to full sun, although moving them to shaded areas during hot weather is a must. They’ll need good drainage and moist soil, so watering them regularly is essential.

They will thrive in USDA growing zones 2 to 10. Find your USDA growing zone here.

Here are the Canadian plant hardiness zones too.

Try these easy recipes for your homegrown radishes:

Slow Cooker Korean Beef with Radish Slaw by Creative Cynchronicity

Roasted Radish and Feta Salad by Simply Recipes

Cabbage Radish Apple Cole Slaw by Blackberry Babe

Tomatoes

A sunny back porch is a perfect place for a medium to large container that can hold a tomato cage for these juicy red orbs that are a favorite for gardeners. Technically a fruit, tomatoes come in a wide range of varieties from small cherry-sized to large palm-sized. The tastes are just as varied – from sweet to tart and acidic.

Since tomatoes require deep and rich soil, make sure your container is large enough to hold the variety that you choose. Each plant should have its own container. Five-gallon buckets are a good choice. Make sure they have good drainage, too.

Once tomatoes start growing with plenty of sun and water, their vines will shoot up quickly. Be sure you have stakes or cages ready to help contain them so that the vines stay intact once the tomatoes start to appear and grow. Tomatoes are grown in all zones as an annual.

Enjoy your fresh tomatoes right off the vine. They’re perfect with just a dash of salt and pepper or try these savory recipes.

Greek Steak Salad by Mixin Mamas (has both tomatoes and cucumber in it)

Caprese Garlic Bean Salad by Mixin Mamas

Tomato Pie With Cheddar Herb Crust by How Sweet Eats

Easy Marinated Tomatoes by Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a spring and summer favorite known for their distinctive and crunchy taste as well as being instantly refreshing. Luckily they’re easy to grow and do well for container gardeners.

Cucumbers will need a larger container because their vines tend to grow either low as a bush or high and spread out. You will need a trellis or cage to help contain the vines. Cucumbers love water, so keeping their soil moist is a priority. They also love heat, so they will thrive in warmer climates.

Choose between varieties that are specific for canning and those that are for eating. Both will need full to partial shade and will work well in USDA zones 4 to 12.

Here are a few ways to enjoy your bounty of cucumbers:

Sweet Chili Chicken Pizza with Cucumber Radish Slaw by Creative Cynchronicity

Quick Pickled Cucumbers by Garlic And Zest

Creamy Cucumber Salad by Wholesome Yum

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