With flashes of what Mother Earth can possibly release to the world, gardening has become an important option to make homes more sustainable. But what if you don’t have a yard? That’s why we have container gardening.
But what are the best vegetables for container gardening? Read on to find out…
What are the Best Vegetables For Container Gardening?
Potatoes, tomatoes (ok technically a fruit I know), squash and lettuce are some of the best vegetables for container gardening. They are all tasty, healthy, versatile and easy to grow. Get planting!
What is Container Gardening?
As the name implies, it is gardening within a container.
Some people live in apartments and condominiums that don’t have a yard for gardening. This is why there are containers for plants.
Look:
There are different kinds of containers for gardening: barrel, basket, box, tin and tub. The most popular of course is the pot.
The pot is usually made of clay or terracotta. But other materials are also used: cast concrete, plastic, fiberglass, wood and metals. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Why Should People Do Container Gardening?
The coronavirus pandemic is nothing we have experienced before.
Sure, we have heard of outbreaks from history books, but experiencing it is different. Sure, there have been outbreaks experienced by some countries in the past, but it has never been as widespread as the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19).
We’ve all been there!
You know what I mean? Whether we had the virus or not, we felt the impact!
Many of us had to stay at home. Suddenly, people were panicking and buying essentials in a rush.
Remember that?
There was a time when it was so hard to find tissue paper in supermarkets. Flour and yeast were also among the essentials that were sold out.
People have started to create their own bread at home.
That brings us to this:
You can grow your own food at home!
This way, you could survive through to the next pandemic–hopefully it doesn’t happen.
Anyway
Pandemic or not, having your own food will only be advantageous for you.
You don’t have a yard to create a garden, you say?
No problem!
This is what container gardening is for. You can even put the plants indoors, just as long as it can still enjoy sunlight.
Plus
There are advantages to doing container gardening:
- It’s easy for gardening newbies.
- It won’t give you back problems as you don’t need to spend a long time bending to weed or cut the plants.
- It’s a controlled environment so it’s easy to manage and maintain.
- Easy to save seeds.
- You can choose different containers to fit your house theme or to decorate your home.
- Animals are less likely to eat or destroy your plants.
Now, what should you plant in your containers?
VEGETABLES!
Almost any vegetable can grow in containers. Vegetables are also healthy and they make food more delicious.
So what vegetables should we grow in our container garden?
Best Vegetables for Container Gardening
Flowers are great but you can’t actually eat or cook them–some may be edible but it’s mostly for fine-dining recipes and not everyday food.
So really, vegetables are better! Here are the best vegetables for container gardening:
Potatoes
French fries, mashed potatoes, hasselback potatoes and so many more. These are just some of the delicious food you can make out of potatoes.
They are also great ingredients for various dishes like salad, stew, and casserole, among others. Potato is one versatile vegetable.
But there’s more to it!
Most people, when they think of potatoes, they think of french fries and potato chips–some really unhealthy snacks.
However, you should know that potatoes are actually healthy. Just don’t cook it in oil!
Yep! You know what else?
It is even healthier when eaten with its skin, which is rich in fiber. It is also rich in protein.
Since it is starchy, people mostly have potatoes as a side dish. This way, you already have your own protein at home.
Watch out
One potato is packed with 160 calories.
Aside from looking at it as a fattening food, you should see it as a food that keeps you full for a long time. This way, you wouldn’t be inclined to eat many times in one day.
One large potato is already a whole meal. You can just bake it, peppered with seasonings and top with various things like cheese or chopped bacon.
Know this:
Potatoes are actually preferable than pasta in terms of the ability to reduce appetite.
Other nutrients that you can get from a potato are vitamin C, B6, iron and potassium.
Remember
Potatoes will need a lot of soil and water. You should probably use a bigger container for them; the popular pots just won’t do.
It is actually advantageous to use containers because it can protect the potatoes from fungus.
Tomatoes
Okay, tomatoes are fruits! However, they are really used as vegetables.
That’s why tomatoes are included in this list of vegetables for container gardening.
Here’s the good news: tomatoes are really easy to grow.
Any containers will do as long as they are not too small. You need to think about the size of the tomatoes.
Caution:
The plant would need some sort-of caging or fence. You can just put sticks around the plant.
This is because the tomato fruits are quite heavy, which would cause the plant to bend.
Now let’s talk about the benefits
There are so many things you can do with tomatoes.
You can eat them as is, like other fruits, or you can make juice out of them. Tomatoes are also great salad components.
Don’t forget:
You can also make tomato sauce for your pasta and pizza.
They are also great for bruschettas, BLT sandwiches, and various soups.
There are just so many ways to enjoy tomatoes.
Plus
The most popular dietary benefit of the tomato is lycopene, which is said to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
It is also rich in vitamin C and K, folate and potassium.
Squash
Like the tomato, squash is also an easy vegetable to grow. Since the vegetable is quite large, you would also need a large container for this.
Based on the container you have, choose the kind of squash that you can raise. If you are planning on growing the pumpkin for halloween, container gardening is not right for it.
However
There are smaller pumpkins for container gardening. Or you can choose the honeybear.
Squash needs a lot of soil and regular watering.
Good news
Just like the potato, squash is really filling.
And just like the potato, you can make a satisfying food just with the squash itself. You can grill the squash and eat it just like that. You can season it to your liking.
And just like the tomatoes
Squash is actually a good ingredient for other food items: bread, pie and soup.
On to the benefits:
Squash is a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C. It is also rich in fiber, folate, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and riboflavin.
You know what else?
Squash blossoms are really pretty.
This way, you grow squash not just for the food but also for its beauty that could elevate the look of your home.
Lettuce
We can’t have a list without salad greens. The lettuce is among the most popular salad greens.
Lettuce is not really high-maintenance. You can even use the smaller containers for this. It also doesn’t need too much sun.
Of course, lettuce is an important ingredient in salads. It is also essential in sandwiches and is even in the name of one: BLT sandwich.
In a lot of Asian countries, lettuce is also an important ingredient in some soup dishes. It is also a great wrap for some meat dishes.
Let’s take a look at the benefits
Lettuce is low in calories, which is why this is a great component for your diet food. It also has a little bit of protein in it as well as fiber.
It also has the following: vitamins A, B6, C and K, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, and thiamine.
You know what else lettuce is good for?
Hydration. Lettuce has high water content. That’s why it is actually great at keeping hunger at bay.
It is also rich in antioxidants.
Thyme
Why is thyme one of the best when it is not filling at all?
Food is not just about the filling ingredients, it is also about the smell and the taste. Thyme is certainly an herb that smells really great.
Check this out:
We mentioned pasta earlier. Thyme can really elevate that taste of your pasta.
Of course, there are dozens of dishes that thyme could actually help enhance. Here are some of them: sauce, soup, bread, rice and various dishes of various cuisines.
As far as benefits
Thyme has antioxidants and anti-fungal properties. It can also help alleviate allergies.
When you are working, thyme could really help you out because it boosts the immune system as well as provide stress relief.
It is also good for your heart and blood circulation.
Okay, here’s another detail:
Thyme can add a fresh organic scent in your space. If you have your container garden in your terrace, you can breathe a scented fresh air.
Summary
After what we are going through with the coronavirus pandemic, it just highlights the importance of growing your own food. It’s about time that you think about having your own garden.
Not enough space? Don’t worry, that’s what container gardening is for. You know what is best in your garden? Vegetables! They are healthy and if you know what to choose, some vegetables are already filling meals.
So what are the best vegetables for container gardening? Potatoes, tomatoes, squash, lettuce and thyme–they would make a great lineup. They are healthy and not too difficult to grow.
You Might Also Like
We have shared to you the best vegetables for container gardening, but do you even know how to do it? Don’t fret, we have a guide for you: The Ultimate Guide to Container Gardening.
Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to find out what are the best containers for container gardening.
Did you notice that some containers are vertically inclined and contain multiple spaces for different plants? If you’re curious, you should really read about the Garden Tower Project.
Useful Resources
- Everything You Need to Know About Container Gardening – Good Housekeeping
- Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners – The Spruce
- 125 Container Gardening Ideas – Southern Living
