Container Gardening - Vegetables that are Home-Grown and Easy to Harvest

There’s an adage that says “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. That said, home-cooked meals are a must to win him over. And getting the right taste usually means getting the right ingredients. Hence, this is where your container garden plants and vegetables will come in.

Think about it – the convenience of harvesting a bounty right in the comforts of home. Plus, you would be sure that it’s free from pesticides and unwanted pests, so it’s completely healthy. Also, you only buy either the seedling or the seeds for the fist time you plant them – your next harvest is free, no need to pay for anything. How’s that for worry free cooking?

Of course, it’s understandable that there is a question hanging in the balance: what vegetables do I grow first?

Technically, any plant that can be grown in your backyard can also be cultivated in a container. Here is a list of some vegetables (and their varieties) which can easily be planted into containers:

  • Eggplants – Florida Market, Black Beauty or Long Tom varieties. Germination is from 8 to 12 days. Will require direct sunlight for optimum growth. Countdown to harvest: 90 to 120 days.

  • Peppers – Hot Red Cherry Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Canape and Keystone Resistant Giant varieties. Germination is from 10 to 14 days. Requires direct sunlight. Countdown to harvest: 90 to 120 days.

  • Tomatoes – (this is the most common container gardening vegetable) Pixies, Tiny Tim, Spring Giant, Patio, Saladette, Cherry Tomatoes, Tumbling Tom, Toy Boy and Small Fry varieties. Germination is from 7 to 10 days. Requires direct sunlight. Countdown to harvest: 90 to 130 days.

  • Squash – Dixie, (Green) Zucco, Diplomat, Senator, Gold Neck varieties. Germination is from 5 to 7 days. Requires direct sunlight. Countdown to harvest: 50 to 70 days.

  • Green Beans – (some beans – specifically pole beans – varieties may require more space because of vining) Topcrop, Pole Blue Lake, Greencrop, Contender varieties. Germination is from 5 to 8 days. Requires direct sunlight. Countdown to harvest: 45 to 65 days.

  • Leaf Lettuce – Buttercrunch, Romaine, Salad Bowl varieties. Germination is from 6 to 8 days. Partial shade required. Countdown to harvest: 45 to 60 days.

  • Radishes – Scarlet Globe, Cherry Belle varieties. Germination is from 4 to 6 days. Partial shade required. Countdown to harvest: 20 to 60 days.

  • Parsley – Evergreen, Moss Curled varieties. Germination is from 10 to 12 days. Partial shade required. Countdown to harvest: 70 to 90 days.

  • Green Onions – Beltsville Bunching, Evergreen Bunching varieties. Germination is from 6 to 8 days. Partial shade required. Countdown to harvest: 80 to 100 days.

  • Cucumbers – (like beans, some varieties are more prone to branching out or vining that it be necessary to transfer them to a bigger space when they already have vines) Liberty, Burpless, Crispy varieties. Germination is from 5 to 8 days. Requires direct sunlight. Countdown to harvest: 50 to 70 days.