For a long time, it was believed that growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs outdoors was reserved for traditional ground gardens, and those with insufficient or unsuitable space had to rely on grocery stores for fresh produce. That time is over, and container gardening is gaining more and more followers. Indeed, whether you have a simple balcony, a rooftop terrace, or a shadier courtyard, nothing prevents you from growing edible plants at home.
The vast majority of garden plants grow very well in pots. You just need to choose containers suitable for the type of plant you choose, use good potting soil, and position your pots in the right place, meaning where they will receive a good amount of daily sunlight, at least 6 to 8 hours, and be sheltered from strong winds.
The right container
There is no rule regarding the containers to use. Make sure they are deep enough for your plants' root systems to develop fully and equipped with drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain away, preventing root rot. Use pots with a minimum depth of 30 cm – 45 if you are growing root vegetables – and with a sufficiently wide base. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose those you prefer or reuse containers you have at home.
The right potting soil
This is undoubtedly the most important element for having a productive and healthy container garden. Ensure your containers are filled with lightweight and rich potting soil that retains water and nutrients well, such as Passion Jardins container potting soil enriched with compost and approved for organic farming. For a good nutritional boost, add a natural chicken manure-based fertilizer like Passion Jardins vegetable and fruit natural fertilizer during planting and every 3 to 4 weeks thereafter.
Our top 5 edible plants to grow in containers
Swiss chard
In fact, the same goes for all leafy vegetables: lettuces, cabbages, spinach, etc. Swiss chard has the advantage of being very ornamental as well as delicious and tolerating lower light levels, just like kale. Leafy vegetables grow quite quickly and allow you to make several successive plantings for a continuous harvest from the beginning to the end of the season.
Determinate tomatoes
Although they are quite finicky in terms of heat and sunlight, tomatoes do well in pots. Choose determinate varieties, which remain more compact and branched for pot cultivation. Many producers even offer Patio varieties, ideal cherry tomatoes for pot cultivation that will provide you with an impressive quantity of delicious small fruits.
Shortcake raspberry
Raspberries are quite easy to grow and maintain. The Shortcake raspberry bush has a branched and compact habit, only 60 to 90 cm tall, making its cultivation in pots truly optimal. It produces small sweet fruits in large quantities. Another significant advantage: its branches, called canes, are thornless! You'll be tempted to reach in at any moment.
The demanding eggplant
The eggplant is a very demanding fruit that requires a lot of heat and a good dose of fertilizer to produce well. Dark-colored pot cultivation is therefore ideal for this deliciously capricious plant. Place it near a south-facing wall and keep the soil constantly moist. The dark pot will ensure good soil warmth, and it will be easier for you to provide the nutrients it needs by offering its own fertilization plan. Heat and humidity are the two keys to success.
Invasive mint
Mint, this delicious herb especially in a mojito, let's admit it, is perfect for pot cultivation. In fact, if you grow it in the ground, you might end up with much more than you can consume. In a pot, it is easy to grow and maintain. It even tolerates semi-shaded areas. Water it generously and regularly. Very aromatic and fragrant, peppermint or spearmint are two excellent choices to combine the useful with the pleasant, but beware: do not place both varieties in the same pot, each in its own space.
To your containers, gardeners!
For more gardening tips and advice, visit your favorite Passion Jardins garden center.
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