Anyone who loves vegetables will attest, grocery store veggies are not nearly as flavorful as home-grown. It is not just about the harvest taking a long time getting from the ground to the table. It is also about the chemicals that are added for various reasons. As a manner of self-defense, more people are growing their own vegetables. We are finding a way to protect our children from dangers of eating food that has been bathed in chemicals.
Some people live in a town or city. They may not have the luxury of land to use for a garden. But, that is okay. We are going to show you how you can have a delightful harvest from a patio or balcony garden. There are dozens of vegetables that produce very well without a lot of room to grow. Most are very low maintenance.
When you put the seed in the soil yourself and supervise the growth of your plant, your are no longer concerned about chemicals. You are only concerned with finding great recipes to share your bounty with those you love.
Basic Supplies
The basic vegetable pots you will need are 6” to 10” deep, with a wide top. There may be some pots that require a deeper or shallower pot. You can get this information from your seed vendor. You will need peat-based potting soil, gardening hand-tools, a watering can, and seeds.
Seeds
You are planting your food as a way to have control over what you eat. It is not wise to put all this effort into growing a patio garden if you are just going to pick up seeds at your local department seeds.
You have no way of determining if the seeds at the store are fresh or left over from last season. You do not know if these seeds were harvested from chemical drenched vegetables. In that case, you would be doing yourself no good to plant your own.
Instead, go to an industry leader. Buy your seeds online, delivered directly to your door, and guaranteed to be the highest quality seeds on the market. Click on this link for more information:https://www.myseedneeds.com/blogs/seed-needs/growing-lemon-mint
Vegetables That Grow Well In Pots
Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow easily in pots on the patio and they carry a big harvest. You will harvest from the same plant many times in a season. Select the medium to small tomato varieties. Your seed specialist will help you in you choices.
Lettuce
Grow your own lettuce to enjoy with your fresh tomatoes. Like the tomato, lettuce will produce several times in a season.
Note: A pot that is 6’ deep is deep enough but the pots need to be wider. Lettuce needs 4” of space between each plant.
Chillies Peppers Several Varieties
Peppers looks produce well. Your pot will need to be 12” deep on this one
Peppers are big producers. All you need to do is keep the soil moist and give them plenty of sunshine. You can plant chilies as well. This plant needs a 12” deep pot. Put their pot in a sunny spot and keep it moist. You may have to add fertilizer from time to time but the harvest is ample.
Chillies
Like your green peppers and bell peppers, chillies thrive well if they are planted in a 12” (deep) pot. They love sunshine and as you can see, they produce a large and repeating harvest.
Radishes
Radishes are fast growers and they produce a lot. You should plant them in at least a 6” pot, but 8” will work too. Place them 3” apart. Cool weather will not bother them. Just keep them moist so the roots will not dry out.
Spinach
Spinach is a staple vegetable for a small garden. The plants are easy to grow. Be sure the top of the pot is wider than the bottom. Spinach is used in so many dishes that you will be glad to see the size they grow to. Use smaller leaves for salads and garnishes. You can put this plant where there is shade most of the time. Shade will not hamper its growth.
Dwarf Peas
Plant these peas near the wall. The plant grows up, not out. Use a strong trellis to allow the peas to climb. Dwarf Peas like sunshine.
Carrots
This is another plant that loves water. The plant will grow well in 6” pots but 8” pots are better. They are virtually maintenance free. Just keep the soil moist so the roots do not dry out.
Zucchini
This is a squash that is so tasty and so versatile, we could not leave it out. It grows well in the cooler temps and it has a light, spring veggie taste. You will get a big harvest from this plant and you will find dozens of ways to use it.
Mustard Greens
Mustard greens grow well in the summer months. They can be eaten in salads or cooked with seasonings as a side dish. When other plants have given up to the summer sun, Mustard Greens will push on.
You have many more options for growing your patio garden. Take your time and enjoy your harvest. You will never want another store-bought vegetable again.
I would love to grow vegetables in my balcony. Thank you for the detailed reference~