Container Vegetable Gardening: Grow a Bountiful Harvest in Pots

A few large pots in a sunny corner of a deck or patio can yield a steady stream of vegetables from spring through fall. From carrots to zucchini, a surprisingly wide variety thrives in containers (though large, space-consuming crops like corn, melons, and pumpkins are best grown in the ground).

Basics

Large containers (18 inches or more in diameter) made of thick-walled terra-cotta or plastic work best—they allow ample root growth, retain moisture, and insulate against temperature extremes. Fill with good potting soil amended with a complete organic or controlled-release fertilizer. Apply fish emulsion or liquid fertilizer (such as 20-20-20) every two weeks all season. Install supports (stakes, trellises, tomato cages) at planting time. Place pots where they'll get at least six hours of sun daily. Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out.

For more tips, see The Bountiful Container, by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey (Workman Publishing, 2002; $17).

The Menu

• Beans. Bush-type 'Blue Lake' green bean; try scarlet runner bean on a trellis or tripod.
• Cucumbers. Let lemon cukes trail over the rim or grow up a trellis.
• Eggplants. Japanese types work well; 'Asian Bride', 'Farmers' Long', and 'Little Fingers' are excellent.
• Herbs. Plant seedlings of basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme. Keep spreaders like lemon balm and mint in separate containers.
• Leaf crops. Looseleaf lettuce varieties like 'Oak Leaf' or 'Red Sails', or any mesclun. 'Bright Lights' Swiss chard is hard to beat.
• Peas. Bush-type 'Oregon Sugar Pod II' reaches only 2½ to 3 feet and bears sweet, crisp pods.

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