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Vegetables for Container Gardens - Heirloom Flavor or Hybrid Yield?Vegetables for container gardens are readily available. Almost any vegetable that will grow in the backyard can be grown in a container. Some require more space or time investment when grown in a container, but there are many vegetable varieites that will perform well within the confines of a container. I've created a listing of the most popular and readily available vegetables for containers. In this listing your will see both AAS and H listed in bold. Below is an explanation for each designation:AAS = All American Selectons WinnnerThis is an annual nation wide trial of new varieties of flowers and vegetables. They have been tested by a network of independent judges who determined their garden performance was superior.H= Heirloom SeedsThe definition of an heirloom plant is that it has to have at least a 50-year history of not being cross-pollinated. Being open-pollinated, which means the offspring will be identical to the parent, is one of the most important attributes of heirloom cultivars. Many varieties are more than a century old. Because heirloom plants are open-pollinated, seeds can be saved from year to year knowing that the offspring will be identical to the parent plant. In these days of high seed prices, this is definitely an advantage gardeners appreciate. Gardeners like the growth and production of hybrids. They also like their resistance to disease. Commercial growers like the way hybrids hold up in shipping. However, flavor does not enter into the equation when it comes to hybrids. Flavor is by far the primary reason most people grow heirloom plants. Many agree that "Brandywine," originated by the Amish in Ohio in 1885, is the best-tasting tomato ever. If you've longed for the taste in vegetables you remember and thought was lost, consider planting some heirloom varieties of vegetables for container gardens. Below is a listing of the most popular vegetables for container gardens. This is by no means intended as a comprehensive list. New vegetable varieties are being developed at a rapid pace. If you want to try the latest and greatest hybrids, be sure to check with your garden center and peruse your latest seed catalogs. Some of you prefer the tried and true varieties. I've tried to include some of both types of varieties in this listing in order to cover all bases. If a vegetable title is a link (ex. tomato), there is a separate section giving more information on how to plant and grow that particular vegetable.Beets
Light Requirements: Sun/Partial shade Spacing: 2-3" apart in rows Container: 24 X 36 X 8" box or half gallon containers minimum size Varieties: Detroit Dark Red (H), Red Ace, Bulls Blood (H) Comments: Thin plants when 6-8" tall. Thinings make good greens for salads. Broad Beans-Lima
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: Sow seeds 3" apart, 1" deep Container: 2 gal container minimum size Varieties: Fordhook 242 (AAS) - The standard for lima beans for more than 60 years Comments: Limas like more heat than regular bush beans and will bear poorly in cool weather. Broad Beans-Fava
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: Sow seeds 3" apart, 1" deep Container: 2 gal container minimum size Varieties: Windsor-A classic English variety Comments: Prefers cool mild conditions and are suitable for early spring and fall planting. Bush Beans
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: Sow seeds 3" apart, 1" deep Container: 2 gal container minimum size Varieties: Fortex (H), Jade, Blue Lake Comments: Harvest regularly to encourage pod setting Filet Beans (Haricot Vertes)
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: Sow seeds 3" apart, 1" deep Container: 2 gal container minimum size Varieties: Maxibel, Tavera Comments: Filet beans are intended to be picked when they are very slim 1/8"-1/4" in diameter. Their gourmet appeareance makes them very appealing to gourmet chefs. Pick every 3 days to maintain continuous production of slim beans. Not recommended for freezing or canning Carrots
Light Requirements: Full sun/Tolerates partial shade Spacing: 1 1/2 -3" in a row. Thin early to avoid tangled roots. Container: 24 X 36 X 10" box or minimum 1 qt containers Varieties: Little Finger (H), Baby Spike, Thumbelina, Nantes Half Long (H), Royal Chantenay Comments: Carrots are slow growing so weeding is very important for optimum crop performance. Loose soil is required. Choose short -rooted varieties for container gardening such as Nantes Half Long or Royal Chantenay. Cucumbers
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 12-16" apart Container: 48" box or a 5 gal container with trellis Varieties: Diva (AAS), Rocky(baby cukes)-- Picklebush, Patio Pik, and Salty are bush types and produce on vines only 18-24" long Comments: Requires hot weather. Provide support for climbing vines Eggplant
Light Requirements: Full Sun Spacing: One plant to a containers Container: 4-5 gallon containers Varieties: Mission Bell (early), Black Beauty (H), Fairy Tale (AAS) Comments: In containers, the varieties with small fruit carried high on the plant are more interesting. Eggplants are very ornamental and look well when planted alongside flowers in larger planters Garlic
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 4-6" apart 1 1/2-2" deep Container: 1/2 gallon container 8" deep Varieties: Most varieties Comments: Garlic is planted in the fall. It is very winter hardy but should be mulched to prevent heaving. Harvest in the summer when the bottom 2-3 leaves have yellowed. Green Onions (Scallions)
Light Requirements: Full Sun/Partial shade Spacing: 2" apart in a 48" box -- 3-5 plants per 1 gallon container Container: Any container 6-8" deep Varieties: Evergreen Bunching, Crystal Wax, Guardsman (earlist bunching onion) Comments: Seed can be sown in early spring for summer use or in July or August for fall use. Kale
Light Requirements: Full sun/Partial shade Spacing: 8"-12" apart Container: 12 x 48" box or 5 gallon container Varieties: Dwarf Blue Curled Vates, Red Russin (H) Comments: Grows best in cool days of fall. Harvest leaves as soon as they are large enough. Cut whole plant if desired. Lettuce
Light Requirements: Full sun/Partial shadeSpacing: Leaf lettuce-4-6" Head lettuce-10" Container: Head lettuce needs room-48" box Leaf lettuce-any container will do Varieties: Summer Bibb, Buttercrunch, Oakleaf, Slobolt Comments: Sow leaf lettuce at 2 week intervals to keep harvesting. High temperatures cause lettuce to bolt(flower). Varieties listed above are slow to bolt. With healthy eating being in the spotlight today, the varieties of lettuce are being expanded in seed catalogs at a rapid pace. Check garden centers and seed catalogs for new mixes and varieties that are being introduced every spring. Peppers-Hot
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 14-18" apart in a row -- 1 plant per 2-4 gallon container Container: 48" box -- 2-4 gallon container Varieties: Ancho(H), Hungarian Hot Wax, Krimzon Lee, Hot Lemon (H) Comments: Great ornamental vegetable. Will fit in well when planted with flowers. Available in all shapes and colors Peppers-Sweet
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 14-18" apart in a row -- 1 plant per 4-5 gallon container Container: 48" box -- 2-4 gallon container Varieties: Ace(Green-exceptionally early,cold tolerant), Gourmet(Yellow), Tangerine Dream(red-orange 18"bush), Sweet Banana(Yellow - H), Lipstick(Red) Comments: Great ornamental vegetable. Will fit in well when planted with flowers. Come in all shapes and colors Radishes
Light Requirements:Full Sun/Partial shade Spacing: Sow seeds 3/4-1" apart - 1/2" deep Container: Gallon containers 8" deep or long boxes 24-48" Varieties: Cherry Belle, White Icicle, Watermelon (H) Comments: Water often to keep radishes mild, tender, and attractive. Radishes remain in prime condition only a few days. Be digilent when harvesting to avoid pithy, tough, spicy radishes Spinach
Light Requirements: Full sun/Partial shade Spacing: 8-10" apart in rows, 2 plants per gallon, Container: 48" box, gallon container Varieties: Emu and Tyee(both very slow bolting) All varieties grow well in containers Comments: Spinach germinates best in cool weather. Plant early in spring. May also be sown in September for an early crop in the spring, Be sure to mulch heavily to protect the fall planting. Summer Squash
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 1 plant per container Container: 5 gallon container Varieties: Fordhook(Zuchinni Bush Plant), Saffron(Summer Squash Bush Plant) Comments: Look for bush type varieties for your containers if you don't have room for your plants to roam Swiss Chard
Light Requirements: Full sun/Partial shade Spacing: 4-5" apart Container: Any container 6-8" deep Varieties: Bright Lights (AAS), Neon Lights(Rainbow Colors Mix) Comments: Only one planting is needed. Outer leaves may be harvested as soon as they are big enough. Perfect "cut and come again" plant. Tomatoes
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 1 plant per container Container: 15 gallon Varieties: Pixie, Patio, Tiny Tim, Saladette, Tumblin" Tom (Great for hanging baskets) Comments: Tomatoes are the most popular vegetables grown in containers. There are hundreds of varieties available. Check your local garden centers and seed catalogs for up to date information on the latest offerings of new varieties. Tomatoes-Cherry and Grape
Light Requirements: Full sun Spacing: 1 plant per container Container: 1 gallon Varieties: Smarty (Grape tomato plant that needs no support), Cherry Roma (Plum-Cherry tomato) Comments: Grape and Plum tomatoes are the fastest growing section for new tomato varieties. New varieties are being developed every year. One of America's Best Loved Tomatoes, Big Daddy, is available at Burpee's Seeds Check out the Customer Favorites Tomatoes, now available at Burpee.com! Turnips
Light Requirements: Full sun/Partial shade Spacing: 1 plant per container Container: 1 gallon Varieties: Tokyo Cross (AAS), Oasis Comments: Containers can be 1-5 gallons. A 1 gallon plant holds 1 plant, 2 plants for a 2 gallon, 3 plants for a 3 gallon, etc. Return to Growing Vegetables in Containers from Vegetables for Container Gardens Return to Home Page-Container Gardening Guide from Vegetables for Container Gardens Return to Top
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