Growing your groceries is becoming more and more critical to many of us. If you don’t have access to a plot of soil to reap a variety of vegetables, consider investing in potting containers to grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Edible container gardens are also ideal for those who want to dedicate their landscape to florals but still want to grow their own produce.
You can mix and match what you put in your container garden; just make sure you have the ability to give each plant the care, sunlight, and moisture it needs.
How can you grow an edible container garden?
There are many options for growing an edible container garden. Depending on the plant, you should consider how large their root system can get and choose a container that can adequately hold the plant. You likely won’t want to have to repot it multiple times in a season, so do your research to make sure it won’t quickly outgrow its home. Container gardens will also need regular fertilizing during their peak growing seasons.
Whatever you choose to put into your edible container, make sure you select a location that gets the appropriate amount of light for the plants you put inside it. You should also ensure the container is protected from the elements as much as possible. Give your edible plants the right conditions to thrive! Finally, get creative with where you grow your edible garden. You can use almost anything for your container. Make a mental blueprint regarding the size, shape, color, and arrangement of your containers.
Here are some plants that thrive in containers:
Strawberries
These juicy summer gems are excellent container or hanging basket plants. They do best in well-draining soil and with lots of sunshine, up to 8 hours per day. Strawberries are a delectable snack straight off the plant, or, if you have a few plants, you can make incredible jam and preserves. Once fruits begin to form, you’ll need to watch out for birds. Cover and secure with netting.
Tomatoes
Beefsteak, Roma, green, cherry, or San Marzano—whatever breed of tomato you crave, most will thrive in a container. Because they are sensitive plants, having them in a container is hugely beneficial for the plant. A container can help you relocate them easily to avoid harsh sunlight or torrential rains. Tomatoes need plenty of water, so try selecting a potting mix with loam in it, which will help it retain moisture. Add pops of color to your tomato container with small, bright followers like marigolds or zinnias.
Herbs
Having your own herb garden at your fingertips is a wonderful way to add pops of flavor and color to your dishes, making your own teas, or even making your own health and beauty products. Plant delicious and beautiful herbs like mint, basil, oregano, lavender, lemongrass, or thyme. Think about what flavors you love in food and experiment. Most herbs don’t thrive in sitting water, so ensure both the soil and the pot have ample drainage.
Lettuce and Salad Greens
Salad greens are excellent for container planting because they have a shallow root system. You can plant a mix of butter lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, and more. When it comes time to harvest your next lunch, you can cut all the leaves off at once or just cut off a bit at a time as needed. You can plant them along with scallions to add some zing to your next recipe!
Carrots
While you may not think so, carrots can thrive well in tall containers. Some root vegetables can do just fine in containers as long as there is ample room for them. Use a soil blend with some sand in it, and make sure you thin out the growth to avoid crowding and under-formed veggies. Carrots are an excellent addition to your container garden because they are such a versatile plant.
Plant Combinations and Companion Planting
You can mix and match what you put in your container garden; just make sure you have the ability to give each plant the care, sunlight, and moisture it needs. Some ideas for combinations are:
Italian Pot:
Basil, oregano, tomatoes.
Pickling Pot:
Cucumbers, peppers, dill, fennel.
Winter/Cold Weather Pot:
Potatoes, carrots, beets, winter greens.
Salad Pot:
Lettuce, kale, herbs.
Container gardens are charming alternatives to traditional gardens and can provide you with a one-stop-shop for all your fresh ingredients. Contact or visit us if you need help with edible container garden ideas in Fort Lauderdale—we’d love to assist you!