Choosing Vegetables

Vegetables that grow best in containers share certain characteristics. They will grow in confined spaces, usually have determinate growth habits, need a minimum of added support, and produce a large enough crop yield to make your efforts worthwhile.

Some vegetables, such as asparagus and corn, have such large root systems that trying to grow them in containers if you can locate pots large enough is very difficult. A low crop yield per plant, again asparagus and corn are good examples, is another deterrent to container culture.

Listed here are the vegetables, and specialized varieties of more difficult vegetables, that are recommended as best adapted to life in containers. Most have compact growth habits and relatively high crop yields. Some have been specifically hybridized for container growth.

Other varieties of recommended vegetables can also be adapted to containers, but because of their size or growth habits will require more work and attention. With the popularity of growing vegetables in containers on the upswing, seed hybridizers should continue to find new, more adaptable vegetable varieties.

Artichoke. "Green Globe" is a consistent producer. Use very large containers.

Beans. Use bush forms in containers for best results. Pole varieties need supports (poles in tepee shape or trellises will work); plants may also be top-heavy. Snap beans to try are "Green Crop", "Tender Crop", "Bush Romano", "Bush Blue Lake", "Royalty" (purple pod). Lima bean varieties include "Henderson Bush" and "Jackson Wonder Bush".

Beets. These root crops will need at least 10 to 12 inches of soil depth and about a 3- to 4-inch space between each plant. Two good varieties are "Little Egypt" and "Early Red Ball".

Brussels sprouts. This cool weather crop needs a large container, but produces a heavy yield per plant. Two compact varieties are "Jade Cross" and "Long Island Improved".

Cabbage. Regular varieties aren't recommended for containers. You can try dwarf varieties such as "Dwarf Morden" and "Earliana". Chinese cabbage is a good container crop; plant "Michihli" or "Burpee Hybrid".

Carrots. Be sure to use containers with enough depth (at least 12 inches up to 20) for root formation and a very light mix for good growth. Any variety will grow in containers. Some of the shorter varieties are fine: try "Danvers Half Long", "Little Finger", "Short & Sweet", and "Tiny Sweet".

Chard. Any variety will grow in a large container, at least 2 feet deep. Use a potting mix with enough support for a large root system.

Collards. If you harvest the outer leaves consistently, you can have a continuous supply of greens. "Yates" is a compact variety.

Corn. Because of its size, low crop yield per plant, and need for cross pollination, corn isn't a good container vegetable. If you still want to try it, plant dwarf or midget varieties. Plant at least three stalks per container. Some varieties to consider are "Golden Midget", "Golden Cross Bantam'', "Midget Hybrid", and "Fireside Popcorn".

Cucumber. Cucumbers need a large container, and some can adapt to a trellis support. The varieties that form small vines or are bushlike are best: "Little Minnie", "Tiny Dill", "Spartan Dawn", and "Cherokee 7". "Patio Pik" and "Pot Luck" were developed for containers and can be used in hanging baskets.

Eggplant. Eggplant needs a large container to grow well. Since warm soil is required for good growth, plant seedlings. Any variety will grow in containers; smaller varieties are "Morden Midget" and "Slim Jim."

Herbs. All of the herbs can be grown in containers.

Endive. Plant any variety in early spring; reseed containers again in August for a fall crop.

Kale. Plant any variety in a large container. Harvest outer leaves to extend the crop.

Kohlrabi. This vegetable's unusual appearance makes it a conversation piece in a container. Any variety is fast-growing.

Lettuce. Because lettuce is a cool weather crop, being able to move it to a shaded or protected spot is a plus. Try growing leaf lettuce in containers; harvest the outer leaves for a continuous harvest. Any variety can be container-grown.

Melons. Because of the plant size and low yield, growing melons in containers is impractical. You can try some of the midget varieties in large containers. A midget cantaloupe is "Minnesota Midget". "Yellow Lollipop", "Red Lollipop", and "Little Midget" are small-size watermelons.

Mustard Greens. Extend the harvest by picking outer leaves. Mustard greens are a good container crop.

Okra. Plant this Southern favorite in a large container. Plants have a high crop yield. Try "Dwarf Green Long Pod", "Clemson Spineless", and "Red River".

Onions. While most onions can be grown in containers, the larger types make unattractive displays. Chives and green bunching onions (scallions) are good pot plants.

Peas. Peas grown in containers demand a lot of attention, need large containers, and produce a small yield for your time and effort. If you want the challenge, you can try "Little Marvel", "Green Arrow", "Dwarf Gray Sugar", and "Mighty Midget" Rhubarb. In larger containers, any variety will do well and make an attractive display. Move pots to a garage or sheltered area during a freeze.

Radishes. All varieties make excellent container plants. You can use them as borders in large containers.

Spinach. Another cool season crop, spinach can be grown in boxes or large containers. New Zealand spinach (not a true spinach) grows well in pots and recovers rapidly from cutting.

Squash. Not a good container crop because of its size, but you can attempt it if you use very large pots and plant bush varieties. One new hybrid, "Scallopini", forms a compact bush plant.

Tomatoes. Many varieties have been hybridized especially for containers. Use medium to large containers since most tomatoes need some support. Use stakes or a wire cage as a support; be sure the wire squares are large enough to allow for harvesting.

Some tomato varieties to try are "Tiny Tim", "Small Fry", "Patio Hybrid", "Sugar Lump", "Tumbling Tom" (recommended for hanging baskets), "Stakeless", "Burpee's Pixie", "Salad Top", "Sweet 100", and "Toy Boy".

Harvesting

Since container gardening is a small-scale operation, most crops will be harvested for a specific meal. This allows you to pick them just before meal preparation begins so they will be at their freshest.

Pick leafy crops carefully, such as chard, lettuce, or collards. Remove only the outer leaves to keep the plant producing. Root crops, such as radishes or carrots, should be pulled out without disturbing their neighbors. Crops that have fruit ripening continuously, like tomatoes and beans, should be picked so as not to ruin or destroy future fruit.

Try not to pick more of a crop than you can use. If you harvest too much, keep your vegetables in the crisper section of a refrigerator. It is unlikely that a container crop would produce enough to make canning or freezing worthwhile.