No Room for a Garden? Here Are the Best Fruits & Vegetables to Grow In Pots
Gardening your own fruits and vegetables isn’t just a great opportunity for you to start eating healthier and live more sustainably, but it can also help you alleviate some stress. In fact, it’s actually believed that it may be an even more effective stress reducer than other leisure activities. According to a study in the Netherlands (as reported by CNN), two groups of students were asked to either read or garden for thirty minutes after completing a stressful task. The group that gardened reported being in a better mood than the group that read, and they also exhibited lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
If you have been wanting to garden but either live an apartment or just don’t have the space to start one in your yard, we’re pleased to tell you that there are plenty of vegetables and fruits that grow best in pots, so it is possible for you to have a functional garden no matter where you live. You can start growing your own produce on your rooftop, patio, balcony, porch, whatever little outdoor space you have available with good sun exposure.
Read below to learn about some of the best fruits and vegetables you can grow in pots—even if you don’t have a garden plot.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are both one of the best-loved “vegetables” (although technically a fruit) and an ideal potted plant to grow at home. In fact, they tend to be one of the most productive potted crops you can grow, providing around 10 pounds to harvest per plant in a season. Tomatoes require a lot of sunlight, so place them somewhere like a roof terrace or a sunny windowsill
2. Radishes
Radishes grow very quickly (going from seed to harvest in just a month) and also do not need much space. You can either grow them inside or outside, however, these plants do not thrive in excessive heat, so you’ll have to adjust this by moving the plant into the shade or adding water to cool them down
3. Onions
Onions, particularly green onions, grow very well in pots. Not to mention that they are a staple in most meals, so having a few onions nearby will certainly come in handy
4. Cucumbers
Commonly grown in containers, cucumbers are another fast-growing vegetable you can add to your urban garden. These plants love water, heat, and grow best in large plastic or ceramic pots that help the soil retain moisture
5. Lettuce and other salad greens
Container growing gives you the flexibility to control weeds and pests more easily than in-ground planting, so growing lettuce and other salad greens in pots is fast. Lettuce also does not necessitate as much sun as most vegetables so you can place your lettuce pots just about anywhere
6. Potatoes
If you’ve ever tasted a freshly picked potato, you’ll know that it tastes completely different than the potatoes you purchase from a grocery store. Because they have higher water content, they offer a bitter, earthy flavor. Growing potatoes in containers require a lot of soil and water but does offer an extra level of protection against fungus or blight, which spreads easier among in-ground plants
7. Strawberries
Strawberries are inarguably one of the best fruits to grow in pots. They are easy to grow, don’t require large pots or space, and you can grow on your small urban balcony
8. Pomegranates
Pomegranate isn’t just one of the world’s healthiest fruits, it’s also possibly the easiest to grow in a pot because it has a shallow root system when compared to other large fruit trees. Pomegranate plants can be grown from cuttings or seeds in spring or summer when the temperature remains in the range of 68 F (20 C). However, it is recommended that you purchase a plant that is 2-3-years old from a nursery or online so you don’t have to wait too long for fruit.
9. Pineapple
Even if you don’t live in a tropical area, you can enjoy pineapple any time during the year by easily growing it yourself. Cut off the crown of a fresh pineapple, leaving a bit of fruit at the top, and soak it in water for a day or so to allow it to soak up moisture, and then plant in a gallon-sized pot or container. Pineapples should be grown in a warm, sunny spot so it’s a great choice of fruit for balconies and decks
10. Gooseberries
Gooseberries are extremely productive, which means you’ll get plenty of fruit in small space. They grow best in a sunny, sheltered spot, and will even bear some fruits in the shade if you forget to adjust its location throughout the day.
Grow Your Own Vegetables and Fruits
Growing your produce can undoubtedly help you eat healthier, feel less stressed, and reduce your food footprint, and luckily, as you just learned, there are numerous fruits and vegetables that can successfully grow in a pot in pretty much any outdoor space you have. So whether you live in an apartment or in a home with limited outdoor space, you can still reap the benefits of gardening!
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