By cafb • May 10, 2019
We’re in the heart of spring, and summer is on the way! Last month, we taught you how to create your very own urban container garden. Container gardening is an easy way to grow vegetables, especially when you lack yard space! Maybe you have a small garden or patio, or a balcony, or a windowsill. You can still explore the magical world of gardening in containers.
So you know how to make a containergarden, but what can you grow in it?
The Best Vegetables for Containers
Chard, lettuce, cherry and bushtomatoes, peppers, eggplants, summer squash, Asian greens, and bush beans areall excellent options for a container garden, depending on the size of yourcontainer. And don’t forget herbs—basil, chives, thyme and more.
Here are the minimum soil depths for healthy vegetable and herb growth:
- 4-5″: chives, lettuce, radishes, other salad greens, basil, cilantro
- 6-7″: bush beans, garlic, kohlrabi, onions, Asian greens, mint, thyme
- 8-9″: chard, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, leeks, spinach, parsley, rosemary
- 10-12″: beets, broccoli, okra, summer squash, dill, lemongrass, tomatoes, peppers
Make a Themed Garden!
Have some fun with your urban garden!Why not theme your container? How about a “salad” garden with colorfullettuces, dwarf tomatoes, chives and parsley? What about a “pizza” garden withbasil, tomatoes and onions? You could even try country-based “themes” like anItalian garden.
Companion Plants
Keep in mind that plants have certainneeds when it comes to water and fertilizer. Many plants, however, are similarto others in terms of that they need. Try to plant vegetables and herbs thathave similar growing needs and avoid mismatches. Rosemary, for example, needshot and relatively dry conditions, while cucumbers are quite water-thirsty.
GoodCompanion Plants:
- Beans, squash
- Eggplant, beans
- Tomatoes, basil, onions
- Lettuce, herbs
- Spinach, chard, onions
- Radishes, cucumbers
Combinationsto Avoid:
- Beans and peas with onions and garlic
- Tomatoes with peppers or eggplant
Learn More!
If you’re interested in learning more about gardening, our Urban Garden holds demonstrations throughout the year. You can also spend time volunteering in our garden. By learning about the growing process, about food nutrition and about food waste, you can become an advocate for sustainable growing and help us take hunger off the map in the Capital Area!
